English expedition to Algiers (1620–1621)

The English Expedition to Algiers occurred between 1620 and 1621, it was a naval attack ordered by King James with the goal of ending Muslim piracy.

King James of England ordered a naval attack against Algiers aiming to put an end to Muslim piracy.

Background
With the accession of James I (1603-1625) to power in England, relations moved from peaceful diplomacy to maritime aggression. As an "opponent of Islam", he damaged relations with Algiers by issuing privateer licenses to his subjects, encouraging them to confiscate Muslim ships and passengers. Although the Council order of 1595 recalled privateer licenses due to British privateers committing infractions and being prosecuted and sentenced in admiralty courts, they still had "a freer command over the Mediterranean, where Turkish and Algerian ships were seen as rightful prizes. In 1620, a British fleet under the command of Admiral Robert Mansell, supported by Richard Hawkins and Thomas Button, was sent to Algiers to put an end to the grips of the Barbary pirates on the trade route passing through the Strait of Gibraltar. After obtaining the release of 40 captives, following negotiations, in November 1620, Mansell took part in a second expedition in 1621.

Battle
On 27 November in the year 1620, Mansell arrived at Algiers with 20 ships and formally demanded that the Dey of Algiers surrender all of the English subjects, all of the English vessels and he also demanded the execution or capture of all of the pirates who had taken them. The Algerians pretended to show eagerness to comply with his demands and released some four-and-twenty captives. Mansell was aware that this was a small amount since the Algerians had captured 150 English vessels in the past six years, however he was not prepared to fight and sailed away.

On 21 May, he returned to Algiers and three days later launched his attack. The English launched their fireships against the pirate shipping, flames were seen shooting up in no less than seven places amongst the rigging. The English were low on ammunition and the Algerians took advantage, the Algerians hurried back and drove of the English. The failure of the English expedition was complete.

Aftermath
The indiscretion of the English prompted a violent revenge by the Algerian pirates: they not only raided merchant ships in the Mediterranean, but extended their piracy to the British mainland along the English Channel. Years of privateering did England more damage than Algiers. James I furthered a treaty through the Sublime Porte, where he negotiated directly in Constantinople in 1622 with the Pasha of Algiers, who happened to be visiting there.