The Sea-Hawk

Rafael Sabatini's novel 'The Sea Hawk' was first published in 1915. The story is set over the years 1588–1593. It is about a retired Cornish seafaring gentleman, Sir Oliver Tressilian, who is villainously betrayed by a jealous half-brother. After being forced to serve as a slave on a galley, Sir Oliver is liberated by Barbary pirates. He joins the pirates, gaining the name "Sakr-el-Bahr" meaning "the hawk of the sea", and swears vengeance against his brother.