Moor Pirates May 2026

Historians estimate that between 1 million and 1.25 million Europeans were enslaved by the Barbary pirates between 1500 and 1800. That’s roughly the same number of Africans shipped to the United States during the same period. Perhaps the most colorful character in this history is an Englishman who "went native." Jack Ward was a failed privateer for Queen Elizabeth who fled to Tunis in the 1600s. He converted to Islam, changed his name to Yusuf Reis, and became the most feared corsair admiral in the Mediterranean.

This brings us to a famous line in the : "To the shores of Tripoli." moor pirates

carrying away over 100 villagers into slavery. Entire towns on the English coast paid "protection money" to the Pasha of Algias to avoid being kidnapped. Historians estimate that between 1 million and 1

To be clear, "Moor" is a broad, somewhat outdated term. Historically, Europeans used it to describe the Muslim, Berber, and Arab peoples of North Africa and Spain. But the pirates we’re discussing today—often called the —were a terrifying and sophisticated naval force that held the Mediterranean and even the Atlantic hostage. He converted to Islam, changed his name to

Using fast, oar-powered galleys, they would slip out of North African ports and ambush Italian, Spanish, French, and English merchant ships. But they didn't stop at the water. They famously raided coastal villages in Sicily, Spain, and even Ireland.