This course will introduce students to the “golden age” of piracy, that period between 1680 and 1730. We will examine the rise of privateers, legal pirates, and their involvement in the early days of British power in the Caribbean. We will then look at the shifts that removed the space for such legalised piracy and led to the growth of a community of pirates – those "hostis humani generis" (enemies of mankind) who loom so large in the popular memory, people such as Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Black Bart.
Course Dates
Course details
Academic team
Course information
Who is this course for?
Our weekend courses are open to all adult learners with an interest in the subject and are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level.
Please complete any required reading before the course starts. This will allow you to fully participate and get the maximum enjoyment out of your course.
Course content
We begin the course by focusing on England and the “Pirate Queen”, Queen Elizabeth I.
We will look at the role of Sir John Hawkins in developing a predatory trade between the West African coast and the West Indies before we look at the activities of the “master pirate of the whole world” Sir Francis Drake. Heralded in England as a national hero; views of him elsewhere differ significantly.
We will then move forward to look at the rise of legal pirates, privateers, although, once again, the legality is in the eye of the beholder rather than any agreed international definition. We will consider people such as Henry Morgan, who rose quickly through the ranks before attaining the position of “Leader of the Brethren” and leading one of the biggest parties of seaboard raiders in the late 17th century.
As we enter the early 18th century, we move from the veneer of respectability to outright villainy. At this time, we are introduced to many of the names that have resonated through the ages, such as Blackbeard, Black Bart Roberts, and Black Sam Bellamy; pirates who were plying their trade in the Caribbean and beyond. We will end our examination of this era by examining the lives and activities of Anne Bonny and Mary Read and the improbable but true story of their meeting on board a ship in the West Indies.
We will also examine what drove sailors to become pirates and what drove their activities once in the brotherhood, before turning our attention to life on board an 18th-century sailing ship. What was lifelike in this wooden world? Where did they sleep? How did they survive the cramped conditions? What technology did they utilise to capture their prey?
In the final session, we will move away from history and look at how pirates have invaded our minds through literature and popular culture by examining works ranging from J M Barrie, through Arthur Conan Doyle to the Muppets.
Aims
This course aims to:
- provide knowledge of the “golden age” of piracy and the people involved
- give an understanding of the linkage between piracy and empire
- provide an understanding of the financial and other motivations for piracy
What to expect on this course
The course will be taught by PowerPoint presentation, including a wide range of audio-visual sources with time for discussion and debate.
Learning outcomes
As a result of the course, you will gain a greater understanding of the subject and you should be able to:
- gain a knowledge of the “golden age” of piracy and the people involved
- gain an understanding of the linkage between piracy and empire
- gain an understanding of the financial and other motivations for piracy
Each weekend course features 7 sessions (1.5 hours each) running from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime, plus regular breaks for meals and refreshments. On Saturday there’s also a longer break after lunch to relax, read or enjoy the gardens of Madingley Hall.
Course schedule and sessions
Please arrive between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. You can meet other course members in the Bar, which opens at 4.30pm. Tea and coffee-making facilities are available in the bedrooms.
Friday
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00pm | Dinner |
| 8:30pm to 10:00pm | Welcome, getting to know each other and introduction to the class |
| 10:00pm | Terrace Bar open for informal discussion |
Saturday
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:30am | Breakfast (for residents only) |
| 9:00am to 10:30am | Pirate Queen: Elizabeth I and Sir Francis Drake |
| 10:30am | Coffee |
| 11:00am to 12:30pm | Buccaneers: investigating Edward Morgan and friends |
| 1:00pm | Lunch |
| 2:00pm to 4:00pm | Free time |
| 4:00pm | Tea |
| 4:30pm to 6:00pm | 1715: An important date in the Golden Age |
| 6:30pm | Dinner |
| 8:00pm to 9:30pm | Hostis humani generis (enemies of mankind) |
| 9:30pm | Terrace Bar open for informal discussion |
Sunday
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:30am | Breakfast (for residents only) |
| 9:00am to 10:30am | Life on Board: 18th-century pirate ships and weapons |
| 10:30am | Coffee |
| 11:00am to 12:30pm | Literature and popular culture: we love pirates but why? |
| 12:45pm | Lunch |
The course ends after lunch.
Madingley Hall: an immersive experience
Teaching and included meals take place at Madingley Hall, just 4 miles from the centre of Cambridge. A beautiful 16th-century Tudor hall, set in 8 acres of landscaped gardens designed by Capability Brown, it's a wonderful place to soak up the atmosphere, or spend free time reading and relaxing.
Stay at Madingley Hall
For the full experience, book to stay at Madingley Hall. Rooms are comfortable, with views over the woods, gardens and courtyard. Each en-suite room has Wi-Fi, TV, phone, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Breakfast is included in the accommodation rate.
A lift gives access to two bedrooms adapted for wheelchair users. All ground floor areas can be reached once inside the building. A lift also gives access to first floor teaching rooms for those unable to use stairs. Let us know any additional requirements when booking.
Check-in is from 4.30pm and check-out is by 11.00am. Please remember to check out before your Sunday morning class starts, luggage storage facilities are available at Reception.
For more information on accommodation fees and booking options see ‘Fees and financial support’ below.
Stay nearby
If you choose to stay nearby, no problem. You’ll still be able to enjoy the grounds during the day and enjoy the award-winning cuisine in our elegant dining hall.
Meals
As a student, you'll enjoy award-winning cuisine in our elegant dining hall. Lunch and dinner are included in the course price. Lunches and Friday evening dinner are served buffet-style, while on Saturday evening, you’ll enjoy a served dinner.
Dietary requirements
If you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies, please let us know when booking.
Getting to Madingley Hall
Madingley Hall is in the village of Madingley (CB23 8AQ), 4 miles west of Cambridge. It's 60 minutes from London, with excellent links to London airports. And It's easily accessible from the M11, A14 and A428.
If you're arriving in Cambridge by train you can take a taxi to Madingley Hall. Please contact Reception (by Saturday evening) to book a taxi for your return journey.
Parking
Free on-site car parking is available and we have a small number of spaces close to the Hall entrance for Blue Badge holders.
Fees
| Weekend course | Fee |
|---|---|
| Including tuition, lunches, evening meals, tea and coffee | £475 |
| Accommodation, including bed and breakfast | Fee for Friday and Saturday night |
|---|---|
| Single room (£85 per night) | £170 |
| Double or twin room: shared with another course attendee (£65 per night, per person) | £130 |
| Double or twin room: for single occupancy (£110 per night) | £220 |
Financial support
We offer a range of concessions for our weekend courses including:
- Benefits concession: 25% reduction of weekend tuition fee, applicable to recipients of a UK state benefit.
- School concession: 25% reduction of weekend tuition fee, applicable to staff who hold a contract of employment in any school or further education institution.
- Cambridge Alumni (CAMCard) concession: 10% reduction of weekend tuition fee for Cambridge University alumni, applicable to learners with confirmed alumni status of the University of Cambridge and who are CAMCard holders.
- University of Cambridge staff concession: 25% reduction of weekend tuition fee, applicable to employees who hold a contract of employment with the University or one of its Colleges.
To apply for a concession, place your booking and supply the required proof when prompted.
A concession cannot be used in conjunction with any other concessions or bursaries, apart from the PACE Open Access Bursary or the Early Bird Concession.
Please see our concessions page for further details.
Booking a weekend course
We recommend that you book early and well before the booking deadline to avoid disappointment.
To book a weekend course and accommodation click the 'Book now' button in the course details section on this page. You'll go through to our secure bookings portal where you can create an account with us, select your booking options and make payment.
Please let us know about any dietary or support requirements when booking.
Waitlist
If the course is full, the ‘Book now’ button will be replaced with ‘Add to waitlist’. Please add yourself to the waiting list and we'll send you an email if a place becomes available.
Paying for your weekend course
You can pay for your course by credit/debit card using our secure online booking system, unless otherwise arranged.
Payment options
You can pay:
- in full at the time of booking
- in 2 instalments (the first is 15% of the full fee, and the 85% balance is due 14 working days before the course starts, which will be taken automatically if your payment card is stored in our system)
All bookings made after the booking deadline must be paid in full.
Booking deadlines
Bookings close 14 working days before the start of the course.
Late bookings
If places are available, we can accept late bookings, after the booking deadline but before the course start date.
We cannot always accommodate complex dietary/allergen or other additional support requirements for any bookings received or any requirements added after the booking deadline. Please consider this if you're asking to book after the deadline and have special requirements.
Visa requirements
It's important to be aware that entering the UK as a visitor for study purposes comes with certain expectations and restrictions.
To make sure you understand the requirements, we advise you to read the in-depth information on the University’s International Students website.
If you already have immigration permission in the UK, please inform us so we are able to confirm whether this allows you to study on the Weekend Courses.
Booking terms and conditions
Before booking your course, please make sure you've read and understood our booking terms and conditions.
We are committed to helping you make the most of your learning experience. We offer a range of support to help meet individual needs. When booking, please let us know if you have any support requirements, including accessibility or mobility needs (such as building access or adapted accommodation) or teaching and learning support. The PACE Student Support Team will contact you to discuss your needs and advise on the support options available.
