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From Wavell Room Audio Reads by Wavell Room

April 1, 2026 · 12 min · Episode 56

About this episode

The episode discusses the historical concept of letters of marque and its potential application in modern digital warfare.

WHY BRITAIN SHOULD RESURRECT 'LETTERS OF MARQUE' FOR THE DIGITAL AGE In 1708, a Bristol trading captain named Woodes Rogers departed England in command of the 'Duke' and 'Duchess', two heavily armed merchantmen, with a commission from Queen Anne authorising him to wage war against French and Spanish shipping. The letter of marque had transformed him from a private citizen into a state sanctioned privateer. Over three years, Rogers circumnavigated the globe and captured – amongst many – a prize Spanish treasure galleon worth approximately £800,000. Rogers returned home having demonstrated the value of private enterprise under sovereign aegis: strategic power could be projected with minimal Crown expense. Three centuries later, on 18 December 2025, Senator M. Lee (R-UT) introduced S.3567 to the 1st Session of the 119th Congress. Named the Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025, it proposes to give the US President authorities "to issue letters of marque and reprisal with respect to acts of aggression against the United States by a member of a cartel". The US Government is also reportedly considering "enlisting private companies to assist with offensive cyberattacks"…

Topics covered

privateering
cybersecurity
letters of marque
US legislation
historical context
digital warfare

Keywords

letters of marque
privateers
cyberattacks
US Congress
M. Lee
Queen Anne
Bristol
digital age
private enterprise

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Queen Anne, US Government

Books & works: Duke, Duchess

Places: Bristol, United States

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About this episode

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

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