Woodes Rogers was an English privateer, turned Templar, and a major character in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Rogers joined the British Navy in his twneties and rose to the rank of Captain. Losing much of his money to the French, Rogers traveled to the New World and become a privateer.
In 1713 and 1714, Rogers, who was now stationed in Madagascar, began to parlay with the local pirates and gave them the choice to either accept the King's pardon and return to England penniless, but free; or to be hung by the neck until dead. He continuted to use this tactic as he headed for the Caribbean, where he first encountered Edward Kenway in Nassau in 1715.