Charles John Cutcliffe Wright Hyne
Prince Rupert, the Buccaneer
"Prince Rupert, the Buccaneer" by Charles John Cutcliffe Wright Hyne is a historical adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Prince Rupert of the Rhine, a nobleman turned pirate, as he navigates the treacherous waters of the Caribbean in an effort to rescue his loyal soldiers sold into slavery by the forces of Oliver Cromwell. The narrative is steeped in themes of loyalty, honor, and the brutal realities of buccaneering life against a backdrop of conflict between European powers and the Spanish Empire. At the start of the novel, we meet Prince Rupert in Tortuga, where he engages in a tense discussion with the governor, Monsieur D'Ogeron, regarding the fate of English officers captured during the Civil War. The Prince learns that many of his comrades have been reduced to a life of servitude among the buccaneers. Driven by a sense of duty to rescue them, he strikes a deal for his fleet's services in exchange for their freedom. The opening sets a tone of adventure and impending conflict, with Prince Rupert's noble character contrasting sharply against the rough-and-tumble lives of the buccaneers, setting the stage for his subsequent exploits in the pursuit of fortune and justice.