Jennifer Marlow

"Grace O'Malley"

- From The Female Pirate Series -

Once described as "a woman that hath impudently passed the part of womanhood and been a great spoiler and chief commander and director of thieves and murderers at sea," Grace O’Malley captained a fleet of ships along Ireland’s treacherous Atlantic coast during the 16th century.

A fearless leader, astute political tactician and fierce fighter, Grace refused to bow to social or religious convention.  She ruthlessly avenged the murders of her husband and a son, 'dismissed' her second husband and gave birth to her youngest son as Turkish pirates attacked her ship. 

Grace’s rebellious actions over the years made her a mortal enemy of the heavy-handed British governor, Sir Richard Bingham.  When Bingham arrested Grace’s sons, the pirate queen boldly sailed up the Thames and negotiated a truce with Elizabeth I, securing freedom for her boys and a pension for herself.

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