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Edward MansveltDutch pirate
Country:
 Netherlands |
Content:
Edward Mansfield: The Dutch Pirate
Edward Mansfield or Edward Mansvelt, known as the Dutch corsair and pirate, was recognized as the unofficial leader of the 'Brethren of the Coast'. He was the first to organize large-scale maritime raids against Spanish settlements, a tactic later used by his pirate followers to attack Spanish fortresses. Mansfield held some influence in Tortuga and Port Royal. He is considered one of the most successful pirates of his time, and his protege, Vice Admiral Henry Morgan, succeeded him upon his death.
Biography of Edward Mansfield
The biography of Edward Mansfield remains somewhat unclear, with disputes arising even regarding his name. Some believe he was an Englishman named Mansfield, while others claim he was a Dutchman from Curaçao named Mansvelt. It is known that in the early 1660s, he started raiding Spanish coastal settlements while based in Jamaica.
In late 1665, Mansfield, along with a group of 200 pirates, attacked a Cuban village. Afterward, he was offered a deal by Thomas Modyford, the governor of Port Royal. However, his crew refused to fight against the Dutch, believing that raids on the Spanish would yield greater profits. In January 1666, Mansfield and his crew left Jamaica and, according to the historian and writer Alexandre Exquemelin, attacked Granada and the Isle of St. Catherine. However, this expedition remains disputed as there is no evidence to support its occurrence.
What is known is that Edward Mansfield commanded a fleet of 10-15 ships and around 500 men. In April, he attempted to attack Cartago in Costa Rica but was stopped by Spaniards near Turrialba. Some of his men decided to return to Jamaica or Tortuga after the failure, resulting in Mansfield losing a portion of his crew. However, his remaining fleet was enough to capture the Isle of St. Catherine, also known as Providencia or Providence Island, which was under Spanish control at the time.
After occupying Santa Catalina, Mansfield requested reinforcements in Port Royal to secure the island as a base for attacking the Spanish. However, he failed to convince the governor and did not receive the reinforcements. His attempt to use the island as a haven for pirates also failed. It is believed that it was during this time that Edward Mansfield died from a sudden illness. Another version, according to Exquemelin, suggests that he perished under different circumstances. Upon leaving Tortuga, Mansfield was captured by the Spanish in Cuba and executed for piracy.
Regardless of the details surrounding his death, Edward Mansfield left behind his equally renowned successor, Henry Morgan.
