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Pirate Code Myths

Over the years, the pirate life has been romanticized in fictional works of literature and film. From parrots sitting on sailors’ shoulders, and treasure maps leading to buried treasure with “X” marking the spot, pirates have been the inspiration for many nautical tales. Scholars have attempted to dispel common pirate myths, some of which are listed here.

Establishment of pirate codes

The pirate articles were not codes of chivalry, they were established to keep things running smoothly and peacefully onboard the ship. The first and most important step after a ship was acquired, either through mutiny or seizure, was to organize the code of conduct the sailors would follow. The codes were considered to be legally binding, and there were swift and severe consequences for those that broke them. There was, however, no official hierarchy, and every vote carried equal weight in establishing these codes. The captain’s authority was not absolute, though the articles might have been influenced by his leadership style and the crew’s goals and experiences. The captain’s primary duties included navigation and deciding when to engage in naval warfare. The quartermaster was responsible for overseeing daily operations. The Jolly Roger, the skull and crossbones on a black flag, provided a symbol that connected the pirates under a single brotherhood.

Walking the plank

Pirates established articles of conduct which were more democratic than those of naval or merchant marines, though the punishments for violating them were brutal. A common form of punishment was being marooned. Execution by hanging was another common practice. Walking the plank was seldom used, as it was seen as an elaborate, but impractical and unnecessary display of theatrics. A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates, written by Captain Charles Johnson in 1724, contains many accounts which influenced the modern-day perceptions of pirates, and the act of walking the plant is only briefly mentioned.

Buried treasure

Pirate code stated that goods taken from another ship during a raid were to be fairly distributed among the crew. The ambition of piracy was to become rich, and pirates accumulated wealth through cash and goods plundered from other ships. Precious commodities like tobacco, wine, spices and textiles could be resold at higher prices, while other supplies, such as tackle and food, were kept to maintain the ship and its crew. Occasionally they found jewels, gold, and other precious metals. While pirate life was dangerous, and crews were constantly on the move to avoid capture, little historical evidence suggests that they buried their treasure. Of course, there might have been a few exceptions, such as needing to hide or stash loot somewhere safe, quickly, with the intent of returning later to retrieve it, if they were being pursued; however, burying treasure was too risky, and pirates were more apt to quickly spend their cash or sell their loot to buy provisions. The myth of buried treasure likely stemmed from the adventures of Captain Kidd, who was rumored to have buried his treasure.

No Women in Piracy

Pirate code dictated that absolutely no women were permitted aboard ships, and violating this code was punishable by death. Female pirates such as Anne Bonny and Mary Read refute the myth that only male pirates existed. Men created stories to reinforce the belief that women were incompetent sailors, were unlucky on a ship, and that they disrupted the social order of male pirate solidarity. Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who served under Calico Jack Rackham, were known for their fierceness and courage, hair flying loose and breasts exposed to intimidate their enemies. They wore male clothing not to conceal their gender, but to allow for more freedom of movement.

Richard Braithwaite and hydrarchy

Scholars Peter Linebaugh and Marcus Rediker examine and discuss hydrarchy, which was a term devised by writer Richard Braithwaite to describe two significant changes which were the formalization of maritime law or “maritime state from above,” and the establishment of mariners’ codes or “self-organization of sailors from below” during the 17th century. Braithwaite noted that these sailors did not possess “much civility; the sea hath taught him other rhetoric…” referring to them as tough, crude and stupid but acknowledging their significance and contributions within the hydrarchy. Life was always complex onboard ship and during this time, the emergence of resistance and revolution at sea challenged the rise of capitalism and imperialism.

References

Finnegan, Edward (11 December 2023). X Marks the Spot: Debunking Pirate Myths (1st ed.). eBookIt.com. ISBN 9781456643072. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)