Empire Podcast Summary: Episode 198 - The Pirate Trial of the Century

Release Date: October 29, 2024
Hosts: William Durimple and Anita Anand
Title: The Pirate Trial of the Century

Introduction

In Episode 198 of Empire, titled The Pirate Trial of the Century, hosts William Durimple and Anita Anand delve deep into the tumultuous life of William Kidd, an infamous pirate whose legacy remains shrouded in controversy. This episode explores Kidd's transformation from a reputable privateer to a branded pirate, culminating in his sensational trial and execution. Through engaging dialogue and rich historical detail, the hosts dissect the events that led to Kidd's downfall, examining both myth and reality.

William Kidd: From Privateer to Pirate

The episode opens with a heated debate between William and Anita regarding Kidd's moral standing. William portrays Kidd as a "successful businessman [who]... by a whole series of misfortunes, is shoved closer and closer to the criminal world" (00:34). He argues that Kidd's gradual descent from a privateer to a pirate serves as a "morality tale."

Conversely, Anita challenges this perspective, emphasizing the external pressures Kidd faced. She contends that Kidd was "forced to leave behind" his allegiance to the king and manage an unruly crew, highlighting the dire circumstances that pushed him towards piracy (01:25).

The Mutiny and the Turning Point

A pivotal moment discussed is the mutiny led by William Moore in October 1696. Moore, frustrated by Kidd's inability to secure promised loot, confronts him after capturing a Dutch ship. Despite Kidd dismissing the capture as irrelevant due to the ship's Dutch origin—a stance he justifies by referencing King William's Dutch roots—tensions escalate (03:00).

The confrontation culminates in Kidd violently attacking Moore with an "iron bucket," leading to Moore's death the next day (04:13). William describes this act as evidence of Kidd's descent into piracy, while Anita interprets it as a desperate attempt to maintain control over his crew (04:07).

The Kedar Merchant Incident

The authors delve into the critical event involving the Kedar Merchant, an Armenian-owned vessel leased to the Moguls for Hajj traffic. In November 1696, Kidd attacks the Kedar Merchant, believing it to be a French ship due to the false flags—a common maritime practice of the time (12:30).

Anita highlights that the Kedar Merchant was transporting "Mogul princesses... with their jewels," making it a lucrative target for Kidd (14:31). This attack marks Kidd's definitive shift away from sanctioned privateering, as he seizes the ship and its valuable cargo, further alienating him from the East India Company and the British government (15:38).

Return to England and the Trial

Kidd's return journey is fraught with betrayal and loss. Upon attempting to return to America to clear his name, he is met with hostility, culminating in his arrest in New York in July 1699 (25:22). Despite his efforts to negotiate with Lord Bellomont, Kidd is betrayed and thrown into Newgate Prison under horrific conditions that allegedly drove him to temporary insanity (27:03).

The trial, presided over by the High Court of Admiralty in London, is a spectacle of its time. Kidd steadfastly maintains his innocence, asserting that he was fulfilling his duties as a privateer (30:34). However, testimonies from his mutinous crew and mounting evidence of his piracy seal his fate. Notably, Kidd's attempt to present buried treasure as leverage fails, as evidenced by his letter to Robert Harley, the Speaker of the House of Commons, in which he claims to have hidden "goods and treasures to the value of £100,000" (32:00).

Execution and Legacy

On the morning of May 23, 1701, Kidd faces execution. In a dramatic turn of events, his initial hanging attempt fails when the rope snaps, but he is quickly re-hanged without mercy (33:47). Post-mortem accounts suggest his body was left to serve as a grim warning to others, though some of these tales blend historical facts with folklore.

The episode concludes by addressing the enduring myths surrounding Kidd, such as the allure of buried treasure. Notably, the wreck of the Kedar Merchant was discovered in 2007, adding tangible evidence to the historical narrative and dispelling some of the romanticized legends (37:08).

Notable Quotes

• William Durimple: "He’s a slaver, a raider... I'm no fan of Captain Kidd, Scotsman though he may be." (01:25)

• Anita Anand: "You have to pull a man. Let's examine the timing of that... he's trying to keep your ship together." (05:48)

• William Durimple: "There is a theory going around in London that in fact he is a Jacobite..." (09:52)

• Anita Anand: "This is the whole mythology of where, on the way back, he buries some of his treasure." (21:59)

• William Durimple: "And he says, I am innocent. I did what I was told to do." (30:35)

Conclusion

Episode 198 of Empire offers a comprehensive examination of William Kidd's life, peeling back layers of myth to reveal the complexities of his character and the socio-political dynamics of his time. Through meticulous analysis and compelling storytelling, William Durimple and Anita Anand present a nuanced portrait of a man caught between duty and desperation, ultimately branded a pirate in one of history's most infamous trials.

Timestamps

• [00:34] - Introduction to Hosts' Perspectives
• [01:25] - Debate on Kidd's Morality
• [03:00] - Mutiny Led by William Moore
• [04:07] - Kidd's Violent Retaliation
• [12:30] - The Kedar Merchant Attack
• [14:31] - Value of the Kedar Merchant's Cargo
• [15:38] - Shift from Privateering to Piracy
• [25:22] - Kidd's Arrest in New York
• [27:03] - Conditions in Newgate Prison
• [30:34] - Kidd's Defense at Trial
• [32:00] - Kidd's Letter to Robert Harley
• [33:47] - Kidd's Execution
• [37:08] - Discovery of the Kedar Merchant Wreck

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Episode 198 of Empire, providing a detailed account of William Kidd's rise and fall, enriched with direct quotes and structured sections for clarity.