As a small act of restitution, a specially commissioned cross was blessed at St James' church on Thursday by the Rev Bob Mason & Cannon Nigel Lloyd of St Mary's Branksea.
The privateer Harry Paye, was employed by a Spanish count in about 1400 to help his cause against the monarch.
However, Paye instead helped himself to the countess while her husband was away, fleeing when royal armies arrived – though not before burning the towns of Gijon and Finisterre and stealing a cross from the Church of St Mary of the Sands in the latter.
What became of the crucifix is a mystery – but in 1405 a squadron of Castillian galleys arrived off Poole and burned it down for Paye's misdeeds.
Now the town has had a wooden cross made and will visit the church to hand it over by way of apology.
David Watkins, of Poole Museum, is part of the Pirates of Poole group which has organised the act of reparation.
"In 2005 we remembered the anniversary of Poole being burned by the Spanish," he said. "It has become an annual fiesta called Harry Paye Day – but, of course, Harry was really a rogue.
"The Spanish are quite excited about it – excited and puzzled after 600 years."
Josa Traba, the mayor of Finisterre, said the town welcomed the gesture. "It is useful to recover ties with a town with which we had contact so many centuries ago."
The cross will be flown over to Finisterre next week with a delegation from the Pirates of Poole group, where it will be presented to the mayor, further restoring the links between the two towns.
'Paye Day' this year will be held on 21st June at Poole Quay. The day will include a parade of pirates, street entertainment, a fisherman's regatta, live music, jolly sailor tug of war, watersports and much more. All money raised will go towards the Poole Hospital Wish List.
To find out more about Harry Paye of the fun day, please visit: www.harrypaye.com
Pictured: Poole Pirate, Rod Jenkins with the cross
Date: 10-05-2008
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