Previous knowledge:Previous knowledge:Conquest of Gran Conquest of Gran

CanariaCanariaJuan Rejón

On 24th of June, 1478, a squad led by Captain Juan Rejon reaches Gran Canaria to conquer it for the Crown of Castile.After the conquest and to prevent possible attacks on the city, they surrounded it with two walls and built fortifications along the coast as danger always came from the sea.

Learnt:Learnt:Drake AttackDrake Attack

At the end of the sixteenth century we were attacked by the English pirate Francis Drake.

From the watch tower of La Isleta the watchman saw 28 ships approaching.

Drake attacked the creek of Santa Catalina, but the fire of Fort Santa Catalina artillery could overcome the pirate causing him many deaths and he left the island.

Van der Does Attack Van der Does Attack

On the 26th of June, 1599, the Dutch corsaire Pieter Van Der Does attacked Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with 74 ships and 8000 soldiers.

He tried to land on the creek of Santa Catalina. The islanders fought back but could not resist the attack and returned to the walled city to take refuge in Santa Brígida, where they planned an ambush on Mount Lentiscal.

They managed to beat the corsaire but, before leaving the city, he burned and looted many buildings and churches and he stole the bells from the catheral.

Jean FleuryJean Fleury

Jean Fleury was a French navigator who became a pirate. He was in charge of a fleet of four ships and five galleys to attack ships in the American route.

In 1522 he had the idea of robbing seven ships that had left Cádiz to the Canary Islands. They took refuge in La Isleta (Gran Canaria) where they were defended by a Canarian naval force.

His name is related to the capture of the treasure of Montezuma, the last Aztec emperor.

Francois Le Clerc: Francois Le Clerc: Pata de PaloPata de Palo

Pata de Palo is the nickname of the French pirate Francois Le Clerc because he had lost a leg during the Battle of Guernesay (1549) against the British.

Returning to France from the Caribean, in 1553, he decided to attack Gran Canaria where he was repelled. Alternatively he invaded Santa Cruz de La Palma, which he did with relative ease thanks to the skill of his lieutenant Jacques de Sores.

Stormed the city burning houses and public buildings as booty claiming ownership of any value.

John HawkinsJohn Hawkins

John Hawkins represents the English merchant who takes the Canary Islands as his territory for piracy actions. Son of a merchant who knew the islands, changed the barter of goods for the sale of slaves. Its partners in the Canaries, Pedro Soler and Pedro de Ponte, provided him contacts and legal protection for selling slaves from Guinea in the West Indies.

In the 1560s he frequently visited the Archipelago and did not hesitate to approach other slave ships to which he stole the precious human cargo.

BlakeBlake

The name of Robert Blake is related to the Canaries since 1657 when he made an unsuccessful attempt to invade the island of Tenerife. The battle was fierce claiming English pirates six galleons and a dozen other ships that were part of the Spanish fleet in the port of Tenerife.

Blake is considered one of the greatest sailors of England, because he managed to shape and make an elite Navy which become the armed wing of the English monarchy.He took part in the siege of Cadiz in the Anglo-Spanish War (1655-1666) under the orders of Oliver Cromwell.

Barbary pirates:Barbary pirates:

Alí Romero

Ali Romero was born in 1640 in Triana street, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Being fisherman he was captured by Barbary pirates and sold in Algiers.His employer introduced him to the Corsican, reaching a career as a professional pirate and the remarkable position of Admiral of Algiers Armada.

Nelson attack to Santa Nelson attack to Santa Cruz de TenerifeCruz de Tenerife

BibliographyBibliography

Fortalezas y Piratas en la ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Ed. Ayto. LPGC

http://www.museodelapirateria.com/piratas-famosos

http://www.gevic.net/info/contenidos/mostrar_contenidos.php?idcat=1&idcap=187&idcon=675

http://www.gifmania.com.es/terror/calaveras_banderas/

http://www.google.es/search?q=imagenes+del+castillo+de+la+luz&hl=es&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=j5p0UPy5CNOJhQe-k4DgDg&ved=0CCMQsAQ&biw=1224&bih=590

Programa de contenidos canarios: piratas y corsarios en Canarias, Programas de Innovación Educativa, Gobierno de Canarias