Piers Griffith facts for kids

Piers Griffith (born in 1568, died in 1628) was a famous Welsh pirate. He lived during a time when sailing and exploration were very important. Griffith was known for his actions at sea, especially against Spanish ships.

Early Life and Family Connections

Piers Griffith was born into an important family in Wales. His father was Sir Rees Griffith, who was a Member of Parliament (MP) and a sheriff in Carnarvonshire. His mother was Katharine, and his grandfather was Sir William Griffith, who held an important position as the chamberlain of North Wales.

Piers Griffith later married Margaret, the daughter of Sir Thomas Mostyn. They had three sons, who sadly died when they were very young, and four daughters.

Life as a Pirate

Piers Griffith became active as a pirate between the years 1600 and 1603. During this time, he targeted and attacked Spanish ships. This was a common activity for some sailors from England and Wales, especially during periods of conflict with Spain.

Some old stories from a long time ago said that Griffith might have been involved in the famous Spanish Armada battle or even sailed with the well-known explorer Sir Francis Drake. However, historians today don't believe these stories are true.

Challenges and Later Years

When King James I started his rule, Piers Griffith faced some difficulties. It's believed he had to sell or mortgage (borrow money against) his family estate. This was possibly to get a pardon for his actions or to pay for legal costs. His family's land was already in debt.

In 1616, his family home, Penrhyn, was taken from him through legal action because of these debts. Piers Griffith passed away on August 18, 1628. He was buried in a special place, Westminster Abbey, in London. His name can be spelled in different ways, but the Welsh spelling, Pyrs Gruffydd, is likely the most accurate.