Surprising facts about pirates

Pirates, a democracy on the high seas

The image of the pirate with a parrot on their shoulder and a wooden leg is often idealized. But life on a pirate ship was very different from what we see in movies. Did you know that most pirate crews were small democracies? Before an attack began, the crew would vote, and every member, including the captain, had an equal vote. The captain only had authority during a fight. Additionally, every crew member was entitled to a share of the loot. Those who were injured in combat often received special compensation. This democratic organization was very rare at the time, and it attracted many sailors who were dissatisfied with the working conditions on merchant ships.

The black flag, more than a symbol

The Jolly Roger, the black flag with a skull and crossbones, is the most iconic symbol of pirates. However, this flag was not always used. A pirate crew would first hoist a flag from their country of origin to avoid a confrontation. If the enemy ship continued to sail, the black flag was raised. The purpose of the flag was not to terrorize sailors, but rather to convince them to surrender without a fight. If they surrendered, their lives were generally spared. If a ship refused to surrender, the pirates would hoist a red flag, which meant that no quarter would be given and all prisoners would be killed.

A treasure that didn't exist

The legend of buried treasure is one of the most persistent stories of piracy. In reality, most pirates did not hide their treasures. Their loot was shared and spent quickly, usually in ports and taverns. The majority of their "treasure" consisted of consumer goods: food, alcohol, weapons, and clothing. The idea of Treasure Island was popularized by novels like "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson, which made this idea an essential part of pirate mythology.

Female pirates

Most pirates were men, but there were also female pirates, who were sometimes more fierce than their male counterparts. Mary Read and Anne Bonny are the two most famous. They sailed with Captain "Calico" Jack Rackham and were known for their courage and brutality. To be accepted by the crew, they disguised themselves as men. They were captured and sentenced to death but were spared due to their pregnancy. The story of these female pirates shows that piracy was not reserved for men.