John Callis
Welsh pirate
About John Callis
John Callis was a pirate.
John Callis (or Calles) (died 1576) was a 16th-century Welsh pirate. He was active in South Wales from Cardiff to Haverfordwest, often selling his prizes and cargo in the villages of Laugharne and Carew in Milford Haven, only a few miles south of Little Newcastle, Wales. His piratical career lasted for decades before pressure from neighbouring countries forced the government of England to take action and managed to capture him in 1576.
The elderly pirate attempted to assist authorities in tracking down other pirates in exchange for his release, however the authorities refused his offer and he was hanged in Newport later that year. Following his execution, a commission was appointed to investigate merchants and others in the counties of Cardigan, Pembroke, Carmarthen, Monmouth and Glamorgan associated with locally based pirates. A list of those illegally dealing with pirates was compiled by the commission and the offenders fined.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Callis?
Welsh pirate
When was John Callis born?
John Callis was born in Wales.
When did John Callis die?
John Callis died in 1576 in Newport.
What was John Callis's occupation?
John Callis was a pirate.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Callis (pirate)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Callis. https://biography.guide/john-callis/
MLA: "John Callis." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-callis/.
Chicago: "John Callis." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-callis/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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