- The golden age of piracy was during the 17th and early 18th centuries.
- Pirates wore earrings because they believed it improved their eyesight.
- Blackbeard, also known as Edward Teach, was one of the most feared pirates. His ship was called the Queen Anne’s Revenge.
- Blackbeard was known to light fuses in his beard to create a terrifying image.
- Blackbeard only pirated for two years before his death.
- Anne Bonny was one of the most famous female pirates. She operated in the Caribbean during the early 18th century.
- Anne Bonny teamed up with another infamous pirate, Calico Jack.
- Pirate ships were democratic institutions. Captains were elected by the crew and decisions were made collectively.
- Pirates did keep parrots as pets, as they were valuable and easy to sell.
- William Kidd, also known as Captain Kidd, was initially a privateer, then later accused and executed for piracy.
- Bartholomew Roberts, also known as Black Bart, was the most successful pirate of the golden age, capturing or looting over 400 ships.
- Black Bart’s real name was John Roberts; he took on a pseudonym when he became a pirate.
- Bartholomew Roberts died in a battle at sea when grapeshot struck his throat during a confrontation with a Royal Navy ship.
- Many pirates had their own flags to identify their ships. The iconic “Jolly Roger” flag – a skull with crossbones – became universally known.
- Sir Francis Drake was an English privateer who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I. Some see him as a hero, while others see him as a pirate.
- Sir Henry Morgan was a Welsh privateer who made a name for himself during expeditions in the Caribbean. He later became the lieutenant governor of Jamaica.
- Pirates often carried musicians on board to play songs for their entertainment.
- Pirates practiced a form of workers’ compensation. A pirate who lost a limb in the course of duty would receive a set amount of compensation.
- Jean Lafitte was a French pirate who operated around New Orleans. He later became a hero in the War of 1812, helping Andrew Jackson defend New Orleans.
- Stede Bonnet was known as the “Gentleman Pirate” because he was a moderately wealthy landowner before becoming a pirate.
- Ching Shih was a pirate in China who commanded hundreds of ships with crews amounting to tens of thousands of men.
- Ching Shih was one of the few pirates who retired from piracy and lived until old age.
- Edward Low was an English pirate famous for his cruelty and violent temper.
- The notion of pirates burying their treasure is largely a myth. Most pirates spent their loot quickly after getting it.
- Pirate codes or “articles” were rules set out by each captain, including how to divide loot and settle disputes.
- “Walking the plank” was actually quite rare. This form of marooning was popularized by fictional works.
- Pirate punishments could be brutal. Marooning was common – leaving the offender alone on a deserted island or a remote sandbar.
- The notorious pirate Charles Vane was known for his cruelty. He even marooned his own crew members.
- “Black Sam” Bellamy was the wealthiest pirate in recorded history, according to Forbes.
- Calico Jack, known for his distinctive coat, created the popular “Jolly Roger” flag design of a skull with crossed swords.
- Fanny Campbell became a pirate to rescue her kidnapped lover and later became a ship captain herself.
- Mary Read was another infamous female pirate. She often disguised herself as a man.
- Pirates did wear eye patches but not because they were missing an eye. It was to keep one eye adjusted to the dark for seeing below deck.
- Captain William Fly was hanged in Boston in 1726, and his body was then hung in chains as a warning to others considering a pirate’s life.
- Pirates did have a language or “pirate speak”, much of which has been popularized by Hollywood, with phrases like “shiver me timbers” and “yo ho ho.”
- Thomas Tew, also known as the Rhode Island Pirate, was known for his exploits in the Indian Ocean.
- Pirates often stole more than gold and jewels. They often raided for rum, spices, and anything else that could be sold.
- Some pirates became so by mutiny, overthrowing cruel captains of merchant and naval ships.
- Grace O’Malley, also known as Gráinne Mhaol, was an Irish pirate queen who stood against the English rule of Ireland.
- Benjamin Hornigold once raided a ship just to steal the crew’s hats because he and his crew had partied too hard the night before and thrown theirs overboard.
- Some pirates were known to keep quiet during attacks by putting a dagger between their teeth, which is likely where the phrase “to fight tooth and nail” came from.
- John Rackham, also known as Calico Jack, was the first to have a female crew member, Anne Bonny.
- “Doubloons” are associated with pirates – these are a type of Spanish gold coin.
- Pirates would often create alliances, forming a “Pirate Confederation” to coordinate their efforts and share intelligence.
- Pirate crews were often multi-cultural and could include escaped slaves, local tribesmen, and willing (or unwilling) members from raided ships.
- Francois l’Olonnais was a notorious French pirate who was known for his cruelty and is said to have eaten a human heart.
- Some pirates were believed to have practiced voodoo to protect themselves from harm and to curse their enemies.
- Pirates were known to use various types of ships, but the preferred type was the swift and agile schooner.
- The last major piracy trial was of the pirate Pedro Gilbert in 1835, who attempted to board and loot the Mexican ship “El Dorado”.
- Today’s modern pirates operate in several parts of the world, with the waters off Somalia being one of the most notorious piracy hotspots.
Originally posted 2023-09-20 21:51:12.
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