During proprietary rule, The Bahamas became a haven for pirates, including Blackbeard (''circa'' 1680–1718). To put an end to the 'Pirates' republic' and restore orderly government, Britain made The Bahamas a crown colony in 1718, which they dubbed "The Bahama islands" under the royal governorship of Woodes Rogers. After a difficult struggle, he succeeded in suppressing piracy. In 1720, the Spanish attacked Nassau during the War of the Quadruple Alliance. In 1729, a local assembly was established giving a degree of self-governance for British settlers. The reforms had been planned by the previous Governor George Phenney and authorised in July 1728.