John Ward (c. 1553 – 1622), also known as Birdy or later as Yusuf Reis
John Ward (c. 1553 – 1622), also known as Birdy or later as Yusuf Reis , was an English pirate who later became a Corsair for the Ottoman Empire operating out of Tunis during the early 17th century. According to writer Giles Milton, Jack Ward was an inspiration for Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ What little is known about Ward's early life comes from a pamphlet purportedly written by someone who sailed with him during his pirate days. Ward seems to have been born about 1553, probably in Faversham, Kent, in southeast England.[3] Like many born in coastal areas, he spent his youth and early adult years working in the fisheries. After the failed invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in 1588, Ward found work as a privateer, plundering Spanish ships with a license from Queen Elizabeth I of England. When James I of England ended the war with Spain upon assuming the throne in 1603, many privateers refused to give up their livelihood an...