Simon Fernandes time and piracy was an offence punishable by hanging, but in practice Fernandes was engaged in exactly the sort of behaviour to which Queen Elizabeth I of England was inclined to turn a blind eye. However, the Portuguese ambassador Francisco Giraldi vigorously protested Fernandes's activities to the Queen's ministers, after the alleged murder of seven Portuguese sailors, and in 1577 the 39-year-old Fernandes was arrested in Cardiff and taken to London to face trial. However, far from being hanged for his crimes, Fernandes was released, apparently with the connivance of Queen Elizabeth's spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham, who appears to have
Walsingham (1795 ship) were off the coast, but the surf prevented him from reaching them. He was able to reach "Walsingham", which the shore batteries had fired on the day before, and which was standing off the coast trying to ascertain what was happening. With Chamberlain's arrival and his report, "Walsingham" had its answer and she departed for Falmouth. In 1813 "Lloyd's Register" started to list the Falmouth packets. It showed "Walsingham" with Roberts, owner, changing to Bullock. Her owner was Captain and Co. On 11 February 1815, "Walsingham" was 100 miles to windward was on her way to Jamaica, and under the