The War of the Quadruple Alliance was a war that took place between the British Empire and her allies, the French Empire, the Holy Roman Empire and the Dutch Republic, against the Spanish Empire.
History[]
Background[]
Shortly after theBattle of the Maroon Island, King Philip V of Spain declared war, trying to reclaim the European territories lost as a result of the treaty that ended the War of the Spanish Succession. As a result, Governor Woodes Rogers’ military escort, which included three Royal Navy ships and 700 British Regulars, as well as the other ships at Rogers’ disposal, were called back to England.
Meanwhile, in the West Indies the pirates formerly of the port of Nassau made an alliance with a group of Maroons to reclaim Nassau, and then use New Providence Island as a staging ground for a massive slave rebellion across the New World, hoping to rally more pirates and Maroons to their cause.
The War[]
Mutiny aboard Rogers' Fleet[]
CommodorePeter Chamberlain attempted lead Governor Rogers’ ships and soldiers back to London as ordered. However, Captain Berringer of the British Army led a mutiny, joined by several hundred soldiers, they were determined to avenge their defeat at the hands of the pirates and Maroons and swore allegiance to Rogers personally.
Fall of Barbados[]
During the war, Barbados experienced a slave rebellion. Large swathes of the island fell under control of the slaves, but the capital of Bridgetown remained in the hands of the British colonists
Sack of Nassau[]
After Rogers’ efforts at quelling the pirate rebellion failed, and with no hope of receiving aid from other British colonies, Rogers sailed to Havana to secure the aid of Governor Raja. After convincing him that the pirates posed a serious threat to Spain’s interests in the West Indies, Raja launched an invasion of Nassau. Avoiding Fort Nassau, where Rogers’ remaining allies were holed up after the pirates had retaken Nassau, Havana’s Fleet opened fire on the town before deploying their troops ashore.
Quotes[]
"Somewhere on the other side of the world, Spain and England are fighting yet another war over what king will sit upon what throne."- Woodes Rogers to Berringer in XXIX.