Christopher Condent, also known by the nickname “Billy One-Hand,” was one of the more enigmatic figures of the Golden Age of Piracy. While his life is not as thoroughly documented as Blackbeard’s or Bartholomew Roberts’, the fragments that survive reveal a ruthless and intelligent privateer-turned-pirate who operated across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Despite his relative obscurity in popular culture, Condent left a notable mark on early 18th-century piracy.
Early Life and Background
Almost nothing is known about Condent’s early life. He was likely born in England in the late 17th century, although exact dates and locations remain speculative. His surname appears with multiple variations across historical records, including Condent, Congdon, Coudon, and Condell, which has contributed to the confusion surrounding his origins.
He was reportedly called “Billy One-Hand” after losing a hand in battle, though there is no universally accepted account of how or when this injury occurred.
Rise to Piracy
Condent first gained notoriety while sailing under the English flag in the Caribbean during the War of the Spanish Succession. He likely began as a privateer, but like many others, turned to piracy once wartime commissions dried up. His first known act as a pirate occurred near New Providence (modern-day Nassau) in the Bahamas, which had become a haven for pirates following British neglect.
After a violent falling out with the colonial authorities or privateering sponsors, Condent left the Caribbean. In 1718, he set sail for the coast of Brazil, eventually rounding the Cape of Good Hope and entering the Indian Ocean.
Pirate Operations in the Indian Ocean
By 1719, Condent had become one of the most feared pirates in the Indian Ocean. He attacked Portuguese, Dutch, and Moorish vessels with calculated ferocity. His flagship during this period was a French-built warship, likely a captured prize renamed and heavily armed. He operated from bases in Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, often cooperating with or fighting against other pirate crews.
One of his most significant captures was a large Moorish ship laden with gold, silver, and valuable textiles. After seizing the vessel, Condent reportedly forced the surviving crew to walk the plank—an act that, while possibly exaggerated, fits with the brutal reputation he developed during this period.
Contemporary Quotes
- Captain Charles Johnson in A General History of the Pyrates (1724) described him as “a man of resolution and understanding, strict with his men, yet fair in the distribution of plunder.”
- A French colonial administrator at Île Bourbon (Réunion) referred to Condent as “one of the most troublesome corsairs to pass through these waters, neither reckless nor kind, but dangerously efficient.”
Ships Commanded
Condent is believed to have commanded several ships throughout his career. The most notable included:
| Ship Name | Type | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Dragon | Armed merchant ship | Captured in the Caribbean; refitted |
| Unknown (1719) | 40+ gun warship | Likely a French prize |
| Other sloops | Support and transport | Operated off Madagascar |
Weapons and Tactics
Condent’s crews were well-armed and disciplined by pirate standards. He carried the usual weapons of the period:
- Flintlock pistols (often more than one at a time)
- Cutlasses and sabres
- Boarding axes
- Grenades (glass or ceramic shells filled with powder and shrapnel)
His ships mounted dozens of cannons and swivel guns, and Condent favoured aggressive boarding tactics. He reportedly ran a tight operation and punished indiscipline or cowardice severely.
Bounty and Treasure
Although no precise bounty figure from British or French records has survived, Condent was feared and known by reputation throughout colonial ports from Madagascar to Goa. The plunder from his raids was substantial. The captured Moorish ship alone is believed to have yielded over 500,000 livres in value.
According to scattered accounts, he accumulated enough wealth to comfortably retire. Some treasure was likely buried or hidden, though no confirmed Condent hoards have ever been recovered.
Final Battles and Fate
In 1721, Condent sailed to the French island of Bourbon (now Réunion) and negotiated a pardon from the French authorities. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he did not die in battle or at the gallows.
Instead, he married the daughter of a French merchant and settled in Saint-Malo, France. He lived as a wealthy and respected member of the community, even entering into local business.
He died around 1734, though exact details of his later years remain vague. Unlike many pirates whose lives ended in violence or poverty, Condent quietly faded into respectable obscurity.
Legacy
Christopher Condent’s legacy is overshadowed by more famous names, but his career reflects the broader shift in piracy during the early 18th century. He exploited the breakdown of European control in far-flung colonial waters and found success through discipline, cunning, and brutal pragmatism.
He was one of the few pirates to transition successfully from fugitive to gentleman, evading both the noose and popular memory.
