When the mighty Spanish Empire sought to crush a rebellion in the Low Countries during the 16th century, they expected swift victory over unorganized farmers and merchants. They did not anticipate that the deciding factor of the Eighty Years' War would be a chaotic, ruthless band of outcasts operating from the sea. These outlaws, mockingly called the "Sea Beggars" by their enemies, adopted the insult as a badge of honor. Driven from their lands and operating without a formal state, they tu...