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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Captain Kidd
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(William Kidd, c.1645–1701) Sea captain who turned pirate after being a privateer (master of a private armed vessel employed by a government). As a privateer he had a commission from Britain to put down piracy in the Indian ocean. As a pirate himself he seized several ships, the most valuable of which, the Quedagh Merchant, was never seen again after he abandoned her in 1699 in the Caribbean – giving rise to subsequent legends that her treasure still lies somewhere buried. He was hanged at Wapping.
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