Grace O'Malley: The Pirate Queen

During these tumultuous times, Sir Richard Bingham became the appointed Governor of Connaught. He had little love for Ireland and wanted to install English ways. The insensitive Bingham was charged with the responsibility of bringing order and sovereignty to this troubled land. He also made it his personal goal to make sure Grace O'Malley was brought to justice for piracy.

Bingham did all he could to make Grace's life miserable. He impounded part of her fleet and captured and held Grace's son, Tibbot, hostage. He finally caught Grace, threw her into prison and built a gallows. While bravely waiting to be hanged, Grace regained her freedom when some Mayo chieftains arranged a hostage exchange for her. This exchange consisted of her son-in-law and a thousand cattle.

Murrough O'Flaherty, Grace's second son, joined forces with Bingham against his mother. Grace was so angry that she set sail and attacked and burned the town where her son lived. The ruthless Bingham retaliated by taking many of Grace's possessions and imprisoning her youngest son, Tibbot, on the charge of treason. Her oldest son, Owen, was taken hostage by Bingham's brother. While in his custody, Owen was brutally murdered. Numerous rebellions were incited by Bingham's actions. At the end of it,  Grace had little income and very few possessions.