Keutzner, the German, who wrote in Elizabeth's reign, said, "The English are good sailors and famous pirates (sunt boni nautae et insignis pyratae)." Roberts, in his Social History of the Southern Counties (p.

93), observes, "Elizabeth had employed many English as privateers against the Spaniard.

After the war, many were loth to lead an inactive life.

They had their commissions revoked, and were proclaimed pirates.

The public looked upon them as gallant fellows; the merchants gave them underhand support; and even the authorities in maritime towns connived at the sale of their plunder.