User talk:Theamazingflyingsheep

Harry Paye Sometimes refered to as Henry Paye was most famously known as a pirate from the town of Poole who plundered Spanish vessels. These pirate tendancies let to the burning of Poole in 1405 by the Spanish. Harry Paye was also a high ranking member of the Navy.

Harry Paye was Admiral of the Cinque Ports Fleet, a precursor of the English and later Royal Navy. It is true he was alos something of a privateer, sacking ports, monasteries and shipping for personal gain. He had an eventful career, mainly against the French and he captured over 200 French caravelles, and was involved in the battle of Gravelines. It was the French who destroyed Poole when he was out of harbour, reducing what was a major port to rubble. Poole never regained its pre-eminence. His brother was also killed in this attack. Though knighted, he was never part of the establishment he is buried Faversham church in Kent.