The conclusion of the Pirate Arc. 4th of the Elizabethan era. Thermopylae or Agincourt?
We begin with the story of the Revenge captained by Grenville. A legendary charge at 55:1 odds that ended with 10 Spanish ships sunk, after God’s intervention the next day and defeat for their elite marines again and again. Who would ever want to fight the English again after a day like that?
What a day! But overall the long run effect of the pirates was to win the war for England. Spanish attrition increased from 1 loss in 10 voyages to 1 in 4. With losses like that Spain could not win.
Newport’s 1591 voyage against the Mexican treasure fleet is covered then we wrap up with a discussion of the pilfering of the Madre De Deus.
Along the way we get more logic from Slate Star Codex.
We discuss Jeremy Black’s summation of the pattern of response to the Armada victory via Shakespeare and Henry V. The psychology of giving credit to someone else, the power move of giving credit to God.
Harald and Camie discuss Robert Cecil, his disability and Harald’s concern that today’s reduced tolerance for people on the spectrum is a serious problem.