Embedded Files
"They called meetings. They lived by codes. They voted captains in, and they voted them out. These were not your ordinary crooks; they were highly organized criminals, and they had to be if they wanted to escape execution."
Arrr Pirate Codes Real?
Arrr Pirate Codes Real?
Yes, the pirate code is real. Sort of. While many people believe pirates reigned terror overseas for the sole reason of treasure-hunting, this isn't entirely true. Pirates during the golden age sought to create their own world in which they would rebel against tyrannical merchant ships and the constricted lifestyle of the early 18th century. They commonly did so in harmony, with minimal crew conflict.
In fact, Pirates maintained a rough, egalitarian system where the crew had collective authority and formed their own articles — terms agreed and voted on before voyage or elections. If those terms were violated, the pirate responsible would be punished.
No rocking the vote
“Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity makes it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.”
Don't Steal from fellow Pirates
“Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. But if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels, or money, they shall be marooned. If any man rob another, he shall have his nose and ears slit, and be put ashore where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.”
No Gambling
“None shall game for money, either with dice or cards.”
Mind the Curfew
“The lights and candles shall be put out at eight at night, and if any of the crew desire to drink after that hour they shall sit upon the open deck without lights.”
Stay Battle-Ready
“Each man shall keep his piece, cutlass and pistols, at all times clean and ready for action.”
Don't Bring Your Date Home
“No boy or woman [shall] be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing one of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise, he shall suffer death.”
Stand by your Hearties
“He that shall desert the ship or his quarters in the time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning.”
Handle Disputes Onshore
“None shall strike another on board the ship, but every man's quarrel shall be ended onshore by sword or pistol in this manner: at the word of command from the Quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If any man do not, the Quartermaster shall knock the piece out of his hand. If both miss their aim, they shall take to their cutlasses, and he that draws first blood shall be declared the victor.”
Lose a limb, Get worker's compensation
“Every man who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have eight hundred pieces of eight from the common stock, and for lesser hurts proportionately.”
Musicians get a break
“The musicians shall have rest on the Sabbath Day only, by right, on all other days, by favor only.”
"In the 'City of God,' St. Augustine tells the story of a pirate captured by Alexander the Great. The Emperor angrily demanded of him, 'How dare you molest the seas?' To which the pirate replied, 'How dare you molest the whole world? Because I do it with a small boat, I am called a pirate and a thief. You, with a great navy, molest the world and are called an emperor.'" - From Norm Chomsky’s Pirates and Emperors
Royal Navy & Merchants vs. Pirates
Royal Navy & Merchants vs. Pirates
As you can imagine, either from pirates being labeled as criminals or being mercilessly beheaded, the government and pirates did not get along. Captains and other law-abiding leaders didn't just execute pirates, they had their bodies hung on display at the forefront of their land as a warning to the others. Similarly, pirates were just as ruthless, but their contempt was primarily directed towards merchant captains. Why? Merchant captains were often tyrannical, having a history of mistreating their crew. During the golden age, many sailors became pirates due to unfair treatment and economic hardship, or with mission of chasing the allure of wealth and freedom. Many pirates took this mission a step further.
Consider history's accounts of Captain Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts, whose first act as a pirate captain was announcing vengeance against the Portuguese, who'd ambushed and killed a fellow pirate, Captain Davis. Many merchant captains surrendered without a fight at the sight of his black flag, and he forced them to work for him, threatening to fire at the ships if they didn't comply.
Pirates centuries earlier went through the same conflict with merchant ships. Jeanne de Clisson, a 14th Century French noblewoman, turned to piracy to avenge her husband who was executed by the French king for treason. She sold her property to fund her fleet; flying black sails with an image of her husband's severed head as the Jolly Roger, she also targeted French merchant ships.
Pirates challenged authority and sought revenge against those they viewed as oppressors, while governments enforced harsh punishments to maintain order. Merchant captains often found themselves both targets and enforcers, caught in the ongoing struggle for power and control over the sea.
Support Us:
Here at All About Pirates, we aim to encourage learning the truths about pirates beyond Hollywood television and media. Our goal is to sail through the truth and find the real stories behind the myths!
Thanks For Sailing Through The Truth! Keep Exploring The Real Stories Behind The Myths.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse