Who is Henry Morgan?
Admiral Henry Morgan is one of the most famous sea-heroes of Wales, and is known for his privateering exploits in the 17th century. While the majority of his career was conducted in the service of the British government, his reputation as a scoundrel often landed him in hot water with the gentry. Unlike most privateers of his era, Morgan had the luxury of retiring from the sea to enjoy his wealth, although habitual alcohol use soon led to his death. Henry Morgan was raised in Wales as the son of a local squire, before coming to the Caribbean isles around 1658. When his uncle became the lieutenant-governor of Jamaica in 1660, Henry cemented the relationship by marrying his own cousin, Mary. He is believed to have risen quickly in the navy, taking part in the sacking and capture of several Spanish ports. The constant war between England and France allowed Morgan considerable opportunities to plunder in the name of the English government. By 1665, Henry Morgan was serving under a famous p