Before pirates set out on a voyage, they elected their captain and drafted a document that included intolerable behaviors and the consequences for engaging in them.
The buccaneers called them codes of conduct; the pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy referred to them as articles of agreement.
Regardless of their name, once these rules were set down on paper, each pirate made his mark and swore an oath to abide by them. While uttering this solemn pledge, he placed his hand on a Bible or a pair of crossed pistols or axes.
Only a few of these documents survive, and none are originals.
Alexander Exquemelin, the buccaneer surgeon who wrote Buccaneers of America (1678), mentioned them. Daniel Defoe included several in his best-selling book, A General History of Pyrates, first published in 1724.
George Lowther’s articles included four that dealt with discipline, but the punishment for any infraction was that the guilty “shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and Majority of the Company shall think fit.”
In contrast, those of Bartholomew Roberts and John Phillips spelled out what happened to violators.
Ida No almost 5 years ago
Pirate: “Wait, wasn’t that mirror made out of solid gold and platinum, and encrusted with priceless gems?”
Captain: “The world may never know.”
Radish... almost 5 years ago
That was when they mutinied and buried the captain in his empty trunk.
Silly Season almost 5 years ago
Before pirates set out on a voyage, they elected their captain and drafted a document that included intolerable behaviors and the consequences for engaging in them.
The buccaneers called them codes of conduct; the pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy referred to them as articles of agreement.
Regardless of their name, once these rules were set down on paper, each pirate made his mark and swore an oath to abide by them. While uttering this solemn pledge, he placed his hand on a Bible or a pair of crossed pistols or axes.
Only a few of these documents survive, and none are originals.
Alexander Exquemelin, the buccaneer surgeon who wrote Buccaneers of America (1678), mentioned them. Daniel Defoe included several in his best-selling book, A General History of Pyrates, first published in 1724.
George Lowther’s articles included four that dealt with discipline, but the punishment for any infraction was that the guilty “shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and Majority of the Company shall think fit.”
In contrast, those of Bartholomew Roberts and John Phillips spelled out what happened to violators.
http://www.piratesinfo.com/cpi_code_of_conduct_pirate_pirates_952.asp
amaneaux almost 5 years ago
Arr! I see the Cap’n has lavender pants. Truly that be Cap’n Twilight Sparkle!
PoodleGroomer almost 5 years ago
No one says “Yes, sir”. The correct response is “Aye, cap’n”
Stephen Gilberg almost 5 years ago
Oh, I thought he was going to say the greatest treasure was himself.