Bartholomew roberts was a notorious pirate from Wales. little in known about his early career at sea but in 1719 he was the second mate of the slave ship princess before it was attacked by pirate Howell Davis and he was taken prisoner.only 6 weeks after being taken prisoner davis was killed and roberts was elected to be captain. his first act as captain was to avenge davis who had been ambushed by a portugese governer he did so by killing most of the men on principe and robbing the valuables of the inhabitants.after this they sailed to brazil and captured a ship carrying jewels meant for the king of portugal.