Pirates: The Pirate Hunts

Dan Snow's History Hit

History Hit

History

4.7 • 12.9K Ratings

🗓️ 20 July 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As the Golden Age of Piracy drew to a close, the oceans turned into hunting grounds where pirates became prey. Dan tells the dramatic tale of the rise and fall of Bartholomew Roberts, or Black Bart, one of the most feared pirates of the age.

From West Africa to South America, Roberts dominated the Atlantic. He captured over 400 ships before the British Navy, led by Captain Chaloner Ogle, finally caught up with him. His death in a blaze of cannon fire—and the mass hanging of his captured crew—marked the brutal end of piracy’s golden era.

Dan is joined by Sophie Nibbs, the curator of the new Pirates exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, to explore this final chapter of our Pirates series.

You can discover more and book tickets for the 'Pirates' exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Greenwich here.

Written by Dan Snow, produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal Patmore

Join Dan and the team for a special LIVE recording of Dan Snow's History Hit on Friday 12th September 2025!

To celebrate 10 years of the podcast, Dan is putting on a special show of signature storytelling, never-before-heard anecdotes from his often stranger-than-fiction career as well as answering the burning questions you've always wanted to ask!

Get tickets here, before they sell out: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/dan-snows-history-hit/

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Transcript

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0:00.0	There's a lot we're told about bladder lakes.
0:02.5	We're told if it is something to be ashamed of.
0:04.8	But it means you can't wear the clothes you want.
0:07.2	But it means weakness.
0:09.3	Really?
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0:16.2	And to give you Tenna triple protection, offering up to 12 hours of dryness.
0:20.2	It's time to rethink bladder leaks.
0:22.1	Visit tena.com.ukuk forward slash women. Always seek medical advice from your GP or a pelvic health
0:27.6	specialist. Hi folks, Dan here. I have some very, very exciting news for you. To celebrate our
0:35.6	10th anniversary with you, we are doing a live show
0:38.7	of Dan Snow's history here the first for a very, very long time. So please join me on Friday
0:43.5	the 12th of September in London Town. By popular demand, I'll be retelling the story of the legend
0:49.6	Thomas Cochran, the goat, greatest of all time, the man who inspired the movie Master and Commander.
0:55.1	And looking back, over 10 years of making this podcast, Prime Minister's Oscar winners,
1:01.5	World War II veterans, Holocaust survivors, and some of the greatest historians in the world.
1:08.3	It's a time for me to hang out with you guys and answer any burning questions
1:11.6	you may have. So don't miss it. It's going to be an epic party and there is no one I'd rather spend it
1:16.3	with. All of you, dedicated listeners. You can get tickets at the link in the show notes, but hurry
1:20.3	because they are selling fast. See you there.
1:27.4	He was the most successful buccaneer of the golden age of piracy.
1:32.1	His audaciousness, flair, style, and flag have helped to shape impressions of his pirate world ever since.
	...

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