Eccentric Life
Eine irische Heldin in einer männerdominierten Welt: Grace O’malley trotzte allen Widrigkeiten ihrer Zeit. Von PAUL WHEATLEY
Grace O’malley – pirate and rebel leader
The life of Grace O’malley seems ideal material for a Hollywood film. Yet, few people beyond her native Ireland have heard of Gráinne Mhaol (anglicized as Granuaile) and often known today as Grace O’malley. Compared with her contemporary, England’s Queen Elizabeth I, much of O’malley’s life is lost in the mist of Ireland’s past. Records of 16th-century life in the country are incomplete – especially when documenting the lives of women.
We do know that O’malley was born in what is today County Mayo, western Ireland, around 1530, the daughter of a local chieftain. She was probably educated – in addition to Irish, she also spoke English and Latin – but she came from a seafaring, trading family, and young Grace wanted to continue the tradition. It’s said that when she was about 11, she asked her father for permission to go to sea with him. He refused, saying that her long hair would catch in the ropes and sails. Not easily discouraged, Grace chopped off her tresses and took to the seas.
At the age of 15, O’malley was married to a neighbouring chieftain and had three children with him. When her husband was murdered in 1560, she took control of his land and ships. Her own clan were good fishermen and they had plenty of livestock, but this didn’t stop them topping up their income through banditry. O’malley seems to have been an active buccaneer. She led pirate missions as far away as Spain – the loot included wine, spices, salt and fine cloth.
The bandit queen married a second time in 1566 and the couple became very influential in Ireland. O’malley had one more child. This time she gave birth on board ship, just as enemy pirate ships were getting near. Her captain asked O’malley to appear on the deck to inspire the crew, which she did, and then organized the ship’s successful defence.
By the late 1570s, the political situation in Ireland was changing. Large parts of the country had been governed by the English since the late 12th century. During the reign of Henry VIII and of his daughter Elizabeth I, English influence was expanded. O’malley refused to submit to English rule and was so in effect an outlaw.
When her husband died, in 1583, O’malley secured more land and power. In 1586, she was captured by the English, but was freed after promising that she would not rebel. Before long, however, she began attacking the English. Her enemies were too strong, though, and they captured one of her sons. O’malley needed help to free him, so she began writing letters to Queen Elizabeth and managed to secure an interview. The rebel queen travelled to
Greenwich, England, to meet Elizabeth in the summer of 1593 – two powerful women seemingly out of their time, one in a beautiful dress, elaborate wig and thick make-up, the other dressed more simply and defiantly not hiding her age.
Perhaps Elizabeth understood enough of the situation of a woman in a very masculine society. She freed O’malley’s son and allowed her to win back some of her losses. A decade later, in 1603, both Grace O’malley and Queen Elizabeth I were dead or dying, one soon to be forgotten, the other to remain a major figure in European history.
“Before the English Queen she dauntless stood…” From “Granuaile”, an Irish folk poem
Born: c. 1530, Clare Island, Ireland
Died: c. 1603, Rockfleet Castle, Ireland Nationality: Irish