William Aleyn

William Aleyn (fl. 1430–1448) was a 15th-century English pirate. During the 1430s and 1440s, he raided shipping throughout Southeast England and sometimes worked with William Kyd in the Thames and the English Channel. Like others of his trade, Aleyn operated freely and without interference from authorities while under the protection of corrupt custom officials.[1]

William Aleyn
Bornfl. 1430
Died1448
Piratical career
TypePirate
Years active1430s-1450s
RankCaptain
Base of operationsSoutheast England
Later workIt was said that he got lost in the sea of thieves and was never seen again.

Biography

In 1431, Aleyn was listed as one of several pirates active in the area according to a public document published that year.[2] He joined William Kyd and several others in capturing four ships carrying provisions bound for Rouen in 1433. Fifteen years later, he and Kyd began seizing ships in the assisted him in seizing ships in the Thames and carrying them down to the English Channel. He was particularly active near Thanet, although no more is heard of him after this time.[3]

References
  1. "The Beginnings of English Maritime Enterprise". History. Volume 13 Issue 50 Page 97-106, July 1928.
  2. Calendar of the patent rolls preserved in the Public Record Office. Henry VI, Vol. II. A.D. 1429–1436. London: HMSO, 1907. (pg. 133)
  3. Kingsford, Charles Lethbridge. Prejudice and Promise in Fifteenth Century England. London: Routledge, 1962. (pg. 89, 93) ISBN 0-7146-1488-2


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