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Pirates: Tales & Legends
Key Lecture Points:
• Piracy has occurred throughout history in virtually every part of the world. While it has been more prevalent at certain parts of the world at different times in history, it has never been eradicated. Piracy still occurs in modern times.
• The recent media attention to pirates (e.g. the Pirates of the Caribbean films) has had a tendency to romanticize the life of the pirates. The “Golden Age of the Pirates” was 300 years ago from 1680-1730 and pirate’s lives, in reality, were very harsh.
• It is important to understand the definitions of pirate and privateers. A pirate is a person that attacks and robs ships at sea without authority. A privateer is a person that holds a commission from a government and is authorized in time of war to attack and capture enemy shipping.
• Pirate history dates back over three thousand years. Historical record shows pirates operating in the Mediterranean Sea as early as 1350 B.C.E.
• The Roman Empire was significantly affected by pirate operations. Julius Caesar was once captured by pirates.
• Viking conquests as pirates resulted in settlements throughout northern Europe. They had significant impact on many nations and governments.
• The Barbary Coast pirates were Muslims preying upon Christian and non-Islamic merchant shipping. They were especially ruthless and covered a wide area of influence.
• Privateers contributed to war efforts at many times in history. One of the little known, yet important, cases was during the American Revolution.
• The Declaration of Paris (1856) and The Hague Convention (1907) put strong restrictions on nations using privateers. These actions have a strong effect on piracy worldwide.
• There were many colorful pirate personalities during the “Golden Age of the Pirates.” These included Bartholomew Roberts, Calico Jack Rackham, Anne Bonney, Mary Read, and Edward Teach (Blackbeard). The details of their lives are amazing. Their stories are filled with treasure, travel, love, heartache, battles, and brutality.
• While pirates’ lives have been romanticized, in reality they were often hard and dangerous. The pirates lived hard and died young. They lived in limited democracies that were unusual for their times. The captains were elected for their abilities to lead. Many pirates were outcasts that found their place in a fascinating society.
Exploration Questions:
• What is the difference between piracy and privateering? Do you think the Letters of Marque justified the actions of the pirates/privateers?
• How did piracy contribute or detract to world exploration and settlement?
• At what period of time in history do you feel piracy had the greatest effect on established society?
• What measures the European powers have taken to better control piracy during the ‘Golden Era?’ What measures could be taken today to reduce incidents of piracy in the world?
• In what ways did the Declaration of Paris in 1856 and The Hague Convention in 1907 change the world of piracy?
Reflective Question:
• Where have you personally been where pirates may have operated?
• Have you been on an ocean cruise? Did you ever feel concerned about the possibility of modern pirates?
• Who is your favorite pirate? What do you find particularly interesting about them?
• Why do you think the media and people in general are still so interested in the pirates?
• If you were going to design you own ‘Jolly Roger,’ what would you put on it? Why?
For More Information:
• General pirate information and biographies: www.piratesinfo.com
• Pirate history, flags, and ships: www.pirateshold.buccaneersoft.com
• Vast source for other pirate sites: www.pibburns.com/pirates
• Pirate biographies and history: www.thepiratesrealm.com
Books For Further Reading:
• Cordingly, David. Under the Black Flag: The Romance and Reality of Life Among the Pirates. Random House Trade, New York, 2006. 296 pages.
Description: For this rousing, revisionist history, the former head of exhibitions at England's National Maritime Museum has combed original documents and records to produce a most authoritative and definitive account of piracy's "Golden Age." As he explodes many accepted myths (i.e. "walking the plank" is pure fiction), Cordingly replaces them with a truth that is more complex and often bloodier. 16 pp. of photos. Maps.
Click here to order.
• Exquemelin, Alexander O. The Buccaneers of America. Dover Publications, Dover, DE, 2000. 231 pages.
Description: Fascinating chronicle of the bands of plundering sea rovers who roamed the Caribbean and coastlines of Central America in the 17th century. Detailed accounts of shrewd and fearless men, excellent navigators, and blood-thirsty adventurers who frequently committed inhuman acts of cruelty — among them the infamous Henry Morgan.
Click here to order.
• Rusby, Kevin. Hunting Pirate Heaven: In Search of Lost Pirate Utopias. Walker & Company, 2007. 294 pages.
Description: Hitching rides on a motley assortment of freighters, dhows, yachts, and fishing smacks, Kevin Rushby sailed up the east coast of Africa in search of the lost pirate settlements. As he traveled, Rushby met up with the crackpot dreamers, tough settlers, fighters and failures who live on the coasts and islands where forgotten Portuguese forts lie covered in jungle.
Click here to order.
• Souhani, Diana. Selkirk’s Island: The True and Strange Adventures of the Real Robinson Crusoe. Harvest Books, 2002. 256 pages.
Description: A fascinating account of piracy, betrayal, and raw survival on the high seas and dry land, "Selkirk's Island" rediscovers the amazing tale of an eighteenth-century legend. Born a poor Scotsman, Alexander Selkirk signed with William Dampier, a pirate, on an ill-fated quest to pillage the famous Manila galleon. After a series of scuffles with the captain, Selkirk was put ashore on an island three hundred miles west of South America. Alone and with little more than the clothes on his back, Selkirk spent four long years learning to survive.
Click here to order.
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