Lady Mary Killigrew of Cornwall

Mary Killigrew of Cornwall was wife of Sir John Killigrew during the 16th century. Mary was a 'Lady' under Queen Elizabeth I between 1560 - 1582. During Queen Elizabeth reign, piracy was tolerated by Great Britian since they have been very useful in times of war. The law often looked the other way when it came to thievery during peacetime. Sir John Killigrew was given numerous royal titles since he controlled whole syndicates of pirates around the coast of Great Britian. Such titles include " vice-admiral of Cornwall, England and the royal governor of Pendennis Castle." The Killigrews refrained from stealing from the Queen and her friends so they did not have any trouble with authorities.

Lady Killigrew however took a prize the Queen was not in favor. A German ship was driven into Falmouth by a storm. Lady Killigrew attacked this ship, murdered the entire crew and stole the cargo (which included jewels, silver and currency).

The Queen was so upset, she sentenced the Lady and her two lieutenants to be hanged. The Queen, having made her point, decided to change the Lady's sentence to a long prison term. "The Queen knew that she might eventually want her services again" (De Pauw).

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