# Of Captain Avery, and His Crew explained — A General History of the Pirates > Chapter companion for A General History of the Pirates by Captain Charles Johnson. ## What happens This chapter recounts the story of Captain Avery, a pirate who became the subject of exaggerated legends claiming he had become a king in Madagascar, married the Great Mogul's daughter, and amassed immense wealth. In reality, Avery was a former mate who led a mutiny on a ship hired by Spanish agents, turned pirate, captured a rich Indian ship, but ultimately lost his fortune and died in poverty in England. The chapter also describes the fate of his crew, who settled in Madagascar and lived among the native princes, and includes a digression about Captain Thomas Tew, who also turned pirate and joined them. ## Themes in this chapter ### Truth Versus Myth in Pirate Lore The chapter contrasts the exaggerated legends of Avery's kingship and wealth with the reality of his poverty and obscure death. ### Economic Despair as a Driver of Piracy Avery's mutiny was motivated by the prospect of wealth on the Indian coast, and his crew later struggled with provisions and settled in Madagascar. ### Corruption of Colonial Governance The Spanish hiring of foreign ships and the privateering commissions from Bermuda illustrate the blurred lines between legal and illegal maritime activity. ## Character check-ins ### Avery Captain Avery, the subject of the chapter, a former mate who led a mutiny, captured a rich Indian ship, but died in poverty in England. ### Thomas Tew Captain Thomas Tew, a privateer who turned pirate, captured a rich ship, and later settled in Madagascar. ### Gibson Captain Gibson, commander of the ship Duke, who was addicted to punch and whose ship was taken by Avery's mutineers. ## Key lines > None of these bold adventurers were ever so much talked of, for a while, as Avery; he made as great a noise in the world as Meriveis does now, and was looked upon to be a person of as great consequence; he was represented in Europe, as one that had raised himself to the dignity of a king, and was likely to be the founder of a new monarchy; having, as it was said, taken immense riches, and married the great mogul’s daughter, who was taken in an Indian ship, which fell into his hands; and that he had by her many children, living in great royalty and state; that he had built forts, erected magazines, and was master of a stout squadron of ships, mann’d with able and desperate fellows of all nations; that he gave commissions out in his own name to the captains of his ships, and to the commanders of his forts, and was acknowledged by them as their prince. Avery was once as famous as any modern celebrity, with rumors claiming he had become a king, married the Great Mogul's daughter, and ruled a pirate empire with forts and a fleet. _Highlights the myth-making around Avery's legend._ > Yet all these were no more than false rumours, improved by the credulity of some, and the humour of others who love to tell strange things; for, while it was said, he was aspiring at a crown, he wanted a shilling; and at the same time it was given out he was in possession of such prodigious wealth in Madagascar, he was starving in England. All these stories were false; while people thought he was seeking a crown, he was penniless, and while they believed he had vast wealth in Madagascar, he was starving in England. _Contrasts the public perception with Avery's actual destitution._ > He put himself on board a trading vessel, and work’d his passage over to Plymouth, from whence he traveled on foot to Biddiford, where he had been but a few days before he fell sick and died; not being worth as much as would buy him a coffin. He worked his way back to England as a common sailor, walked to Biddiford, and died there shortly after, too poor to afford a coffin. _Describes Avery's ignominious end._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se/chapters/i-of-captain-avery-and-his-crew - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se/chapters