Bachelor Thesis from the year 2010 in the subject History of Europe - Middle Ages, Early Modern Age, grade: B13, University of Wales, Newport, language: English, abstract: This investigation will examine the English States and latter British Empires evolving relationship with pirates, buccaneers and privateers as well looking into how far they contributed to laying the foundations of the British Empire in the Caribbean. The investigation will identify numerous ways in which these outlaws contributed to the basis of an Empire as bands of men, but also as individual men - pointing the investigation into examining individual Captains themselves and assessing the significance of their endeavours. Pirate, privateering and buccaneering warfare tactics will also be scrutinised as the significance of their methods cannot be ignored in the defence of British colonies in the New World. Throughout the investigation, various primary materials will be used to help re-enforce arguments where needed. In addition, numerous prominent historians in this field will be made reference to, and used in order to help structure the argument that in order to fully appreciate Britains history of Empire, the significance of robbers on the high seas cannot be ignored.