It's easier to rob than to give birth! How a noble Irishwoman turned into a storm of the seas, before which captains and kings bowed (9 photos)

Historically, navigation and everything connected with it is not a woman's business. But there have been exceptions in history.





Just such was Greine O'Malley - a girl from ancient Irish family, which terrified the sea wolves and dictated conditions of the English queen herself.



The exact date of Graine's birth is unknown. Approximately this is 1530, County Mayo in the western part of Ireland. IN unlike its neighboring farmers, the clan specialized in the sea and completely controlled the coastline and bays of the county. Everyone who wants to fish had to pay tax.

Greine was cooked in this porridge from the cradle. And somehow even tried to beg Father Owen Umall-Uakhtar to take her to Spain with him. But either the man adhered to superstitions, or he considered the journey dangerous for the girl, but she stayed at home. In retaliation, she showed rebellious spirit, she cut her long hair and got it for a long time predictable derogatory nickname "Bald".



When her father died, Graine was only 16 years old. And according to legend she fought with her older brother at knives for the right to take the post of leader and won. The version is doubtful, since the final decision on appointment still accepted the council of elders, which would not allow woman to take the helm. But apparently this romanticized version appeared already after the achievements of the Irish.

In any case, she rose very high in her career. stairs and taxied the family flotilla, which numbered about 20 ships and hundreds of sailors, who were not distinguished by a complaisant disposition and pious behavior.

Dark Widow and Lady Pirate



Maintain credibility with this testosterone and ale bubbling it was hard for the brethren, but the lady coped. Shortly after the death of his father the girl married Domhnall O'Flaherty. The couple had two children son and daughter. But the family idyll did not last so long: Domhnall got into ambush, and he was dealt with by the head of another clan - Joyce.

At the destruction of the leader, the relatives decided not to stop and take by storm his ancestral castle. They believed that a weak young woman will surrender without a fight. But Graine defended herself. Yes, even how: the besiegers eventually cowardly retreated.

The young widow returned to her family's land. And with her and two hundred volunteers from the late husband's clan. The character of a woman judging by the stories of eyewitnesses, there was one more. Somehow she captivated her grandson noble lord who refused to shelter the team after returning to shore. The Lord sent the widow a rich ransom, but she proudly rejected the gold and simply let the boy go, demanding a promise to always open the gates of the castle in front of travelers in need of food, shelter and rest.



Gradually, almost everything fell under the control of a stubborn lady. Mayo coast. One single castle remained in the hands of Richard Burke. And he, I must say, was a tasty morsel for pirates: constant the tides and swampy terrain in the area made the castle impregnable.

What to do? The practical leader of the clan suggested single man himself as a wife. The couple entered into a so-called trial marriage. The Irish practiced such a union, which lasted a year. After, if something did not suit the spouses, they could disperse.

According to one version, after a specified period, she kicked her husband out and became the sovereign mistress of the castle. According to another, lived with Richard happily ever after, as evidenced by the appearance of a common son.



Ireland was almost completely under the control of England. But Greine continued to defend her right to independence and grappled with the then Viceroy of Queen Elizabeth I, whose name was Sir Richard Bingham.

Pirates of a woman were impudent on the sea, and Bingham decided by this take advantage. He captured the leader and sent her away for two years behind bars for resisting the English crown.



The only surviving image of Greine

After being released, the vengeful Graine organized an uprising. During one of the clashes, Bingham's men killed the queen's son. pirates. The second, as well as Graine's brother, were taken prisoner. It is clear that from Pirates of London are not inreturned or returned piecemeal. That's why the leader decided to use diplomatic methods to to rescue relatives, and achieved an audience with the queen.

It is not known what the women talked about in private. But in memory of of this meeting, the only image of O'Malley, an engraving, has been preserved. AND a truce, as the pirate lady made a promise to the queen in exchange for her life relatives no longer rebel against England.

It must be assumed that the promise was given hard, because rebellion and love of freedom were the very essence of this woman. But the active Irish woman the moment was already by the age of 60, and age was making itself felt.



Rockfleet Castle

The exact cause of death in 1603 could not be established. But presumably it was either another skirmish with competitors, or just old age. For a long time, an outstanding woman could not be allocated a place in Irish history. It is understandable: the chroniclers were men, besides monks. And in their system of world order, such a phenomenon as a female pirate there was simply no place.



Greine Statue (Westport House)

But then justice was restored. And Graine became the heroine of films, songs and books. Rockfleet Castle, where pirate residence of an active Irish woman, bought and restored it direct descendant of Owen O'Malley.