6. Recklessness Finally Did in Lady Killigrew
The downfall of Mary Wolverton, Lady Killigrew, came in 1583, when a Spanish ship, the Marie of San Sebastian, docked at Arwenack near her castle. Hearing that the ship carried treasure, Lady Killigrew entertained the captain and crew at her castle, and had them visit her estates inland. During their absence, she led a raiding party that seized the Spanish ship, killing all who resisted, before absconding with the cargo. When captain and crew returned to Arwenack and discovered what had happened, they complained to the local authorities. However, the local judge was Lady Killigrew’s son, so the complaint went nowhere. Enraged, the Spaniards went to London, where they enlisted the Spanish ambassador’s help.
Lady Killigrew’s latest foray proved too reckless for the authorities in London. Instead of a discrete piracy carried out far away, she had carried out a brazen act of piracy in English waters, that threatened to cause a diplomatic crisis. So officials were sent from London to investigate. When it was discovered that Lady Killigrew’s son, the judge, had tampered with the local investigation, she and her chief accomplices were arrested. Some of the stolen goods from the Marie of San Sebastian were discovered in her house, so receiving and fencing stolen goods was added to her charges. She was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. Two of her accomplices were executed, but Lady Killigrew received a commutation from Queen Elizabeth, and was later released from prison after her son doled out lavish bribes.
