Pier Gerlofs Donia

c.1480–1520 A giant of a man, Big Pier became a legend

Born in Frisia, now the Netherlands, Pier Gerlofs Donia was a giant in every sense of the word. When his wife was allegedly raped and murdered by the Black Band, the duke of Saxony’s brutish regiment, the giant of a man swore that he would exact revenge.

He formed a pirate band known as the Black Hope and waged war against the House of Habsburg, plundering their ships and those of their supporters. Attacking coastal areas, they sacked the towns and killed the inhabitants, burning houses and castles alike to the ground.

Supposedly standing at over two metres tall and wielding a sword that weighed nearly 7 kilograms, Pier struck fear into the hearts of his enemies — but fear alone wasn’t enough to defeat the might of the Habsburgs. He died peacefully in 1520 and is remembered today as a legendary freedom fighter, striving to free his people from oppression.

This giant pirate sought revenge for his wife and freedom for his people