Long before Poole was a bustling seaside town with yachts in the harbour and sun-seekers on the sand, it was home to one of England’s most daring pirates: Harry Paye—or as the Spanish and French knew him, Arripaye.
Born around 1360, Harry wasn’t your average sailor. He was an adventurer, a rogue, and a master of the seas. From the port of Poole, he launched daring raids across the Channel, intercepting French and Spanish ships and relieving them of their treasures. Gold, spices, exotic food, and barrels upon barrels of fine wine—all of it was fair game for Old Harry. And unlike most pirates, Harry didn’t hoard his bounty. He brought it home to Poole, sharing the spoils with his people like a Robin Hood of the high seas.
But while Poole sang his praises, the nations he plundered weren’t so fond of him.
In 1405, while Harry was away chasing treasure, the French and Spanish joined forces to take their revenge. They stormed the Dorset coast and launched a brutal attack on Poole. The town fought bravely, but the invaders were too many. Homes were burned, streets ran red, and among the dead was Harry’s own brother.
When Harry returned and saw what had happened, he did what he did best—he struck back.
Soon after, a French ship, loaded with the finest wine, sailed confidently down the Channel. They thought Harry had been silenced. They were wrong.
Old Harry chased the ship, boarded it with his crew, and claimed every last barrel—12,000 gallons of it. Then, in true Harry Paye fashion, he brought it all back to Poole. Not to sell. Not to store. But to share.
Harry invited the entire town to drink in honour of those they had lost—and drink they did. Local legend says the town was drunk for a month.
And so, the story of Harry Paye became legend. Not just a tale of swashbuckling revenge, but of resilience, rebellion, and community. Every year, Poole still raises a glass to Harry on Paye Day, celebrating the pirate who stood up to invaders and turned stolen wine into a symbol of unity.
So next time you find yourself in Poole, take a moment to toast the man who once turned the tide—and made sure everyone had a drink in hand when he did.
Drink up, for Harry Paye.
