Parrot on shoulder and black mark: 16 popular pirate myths

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Yo-ho-ho!

1. The Caribbean is the cradle of piracy

This is a common misconception. In fact, pirates operated in all seas and oceans. At different times the centers of piracy were IV Archengolts. The history of sea robbers. M. 2010. Madagascar Island, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, North Africa, the Baltic and North Seas, the English Channel.

2. The era of pirates is the XVII-XVIII centuries

When we hear the word "pirate", images from RL Stevenson's novel Treasure Island and films with Johnny Depp immediately come to mind. Indeed, the era in which they speak (XVII-XVIII centuries) was called the "Golden Age of Piracy". Then the sea robbery off the coast of the recently discovered America acquired a very wide scale. This was facilitated by the colonial wars of the European powers, which did not yet possess sufficiently strong fleets. The insufficient population of the new lands, which gave rise to lawlessness, also played a role. But robbery existed both earlier and later than this period.

Piracy appeared Makhovsky J. The history of sea piracy. M. 1972. simultaneously with navigation and sea trade. Even in the days of Ancient Greece (IV-III centuries BC), the Mediterranean merchants used the word πειρατής ([peirates], "attempt" + "to seek happiness"). The ancient Romans also knew this word.

Gaius Julius Caesar himself once became a prisoner of pirates. After this Rome was started by Ferrero G. Julius Caesar. Rostov-on-Don. 1997. fight against sea robberies.

In the Middle Ages, it was also possible to run into robbers in the sea. It was then that boarding combat became widespread. The European states of the Middle Ages encouraged pirates who robbed their opponents and fought against "alien" robbers.

After the golden age, when the regular fleets of the European powers were heavily supplanted by pirates, they continued to plunder in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. This happened throughout the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century (1918–1929), piracy was widespread off the coast of China.

There are pirates today. The modern centers of piracy are the Strait of Malacca (Malaysia), the Gulf of Aden (the Somali coast), the west coast of Africa and still the Caribbean. Modern piracy is a global problem, the exact amount of losses from which is unknown.

3. Pirates were engaged only in sea robbery

Almost always, the line between pirates and traders was very shaky. When it was profitable, they transported goods and cargo, and when there was an opportunity to take something by force, they did not disdain it either. An example is M. G. Gusakov Vitaliera // Nadrovia., 2003; … 2009. Vitali brothers - sailors' guild of the XIV-XV centuries. They traded in the Baltic and North Seas and plundered the ships of the merchants of the Hanseatic League - the rivals of the Swedish king, their employer.

It is believed that the history of sea robbery began with coastal piracy. Then the inhabitants of coastal settlements robbed ships that were stranded or shipwrecked.

Moreover, piracy was not limited to plundering ships on the high seas. Coastal settlements were often attacked by pirates. Viking raids are a classic example.

If we talk about the pirates of the golden age, then they also did not disdain to plunder coastal fortresses and cities. The famous captain Henry Morgan captured the Cuban city of Puerto Principe, where pirate attacks were not expected due to its remoteness from the sea. Also Morgan and accomplices robbed Balandin R. K. Famous sea robbers. M. 2012 is a large fortified city of Portobello, and later made the famous nine-day crossing of the Isthmus of Panama.

There were also river pirates. For example, the Novgorod ushkuyniks were engaged in robbery of Norwegian settlements, as well as cities on the Kama and Volga (the territory of modern Tatarstan and the Nizhny Novgorod region). In the XIV century, they ravaged Kostroma so much that the city was moved to a hill. Now there is the Kostroma Kremlin.

4. All pirates were illegal

Formally, yes, but there were some nuances, especially if we are talking about pirates of the golden age. In the conquest of the newly discovered America, the Spanish and Portuguese were the first to succeed. Britain, France and Holland, which were gaining strength, were late for the partition of the American colonies. The war overseas required huge resources, and in order to save money, the European powers began to hire Mozheiko I. V. Pirates, corsairs, raiders. SPb. 1994. to the service of pirates. They were given special documents that actually legalized robbery against other countries.

However, this did not mean that, having fallen into the hands of the authorities of the opposite side, the holders of the "patent" could avoid punishment.

"Legal" pirates are known to E. Konst. Pirates. Buccaneers, filibusters, privates of the 16th-19th centuries. M. 2008. under the names of privateers, filibusters, corsairs, privateers, bukans and raiders.

Privateers are pirates who received special permits (certificates or patents) from the authorities of one of the colonial powers to seize and destroy ships of other countries. For the first time, European monarchs began to issue such documents long before the discovery of America, back in the XIV century. A letter of marque made it possible to legally rob the opposing side in wartime and receive compensation for the damage received from it in peacetime. Part of the marque's booty was given to employers.

The French, Spaniards, Portuguese and Italians called privateers corsairs, in English-speaking countries the term "privatires" took root.

Filibusters can also be called privateers. They plundered Spanish ships and colonies in America in the 17th century. Freeboosters sailed on small maneuverable vessels (flibots) and quite often had marque patents from France, England or Holland. The British called them buccaneers. Hence the confusion with buccaneers - sailors-hunters who had nothing to do with sea robbery.

After the expiration of the marque's permission, not all crews stopped the robbery. Many of the semi-formal mercenaries became pirates.

Raiders were also called sailors who received a special permit for illegal activities. Their main task was to undermine the enemy's trade by any means. Unlike privateers, they handed over the booty in whole to their employers.

5. All pirate ships flew under the black flag with skull and bones

The Jolly Roger (a flag with a skull and bones) was indeed popular with the robbers of the Golden Age, especially in the early 18th century. But this was just one of many versions of the pirate banner. For example, the flag of Bartholomew Roberts featured a pirate and a skeleton holding a dart and hourglass. And, perhaps, the most famous pirate Edward Teach (Blackbeard) walked under a white banner with the cross of St. George.

Bartholomew Roberts flag

Thomas Tew flag

John Kelch flag

John Rackham flag

Common were flags with a skeleton piercing the heart with a spear, or with a raised saber in hand. Another version of the pirate flag was a yellow cloth with a black skeleton. The filibusters loved the red flags. Pirates of Spanish descent used dark purple cloth.

The main purpose of hoisting the pirate flag was to warn the captured vessel of an attack and force it to surrender. Moreover, the pirates raised the banner at the last moment, when it was already impossible to get away from them. The rest of the time, sea robbers could use national flags or even do without a banner.

6. The pirates were fabulously rich

Most often, the pirates' prey was not gold and jewelry, but goods, provisions or slaves, which still needed to be sold somehow. Of course, there were lucky captains from whom even the rank and file of the crew received their share of the booty of a thousand pounds or more. For comparison: in the navy, such money could be earned only in 40 years.

The richest pirates are considered Balandin R. K. Famous sea robbers. M. 2012. Henry Avery, Thomas White, John Taylor, Olivier Levasseur and Bartholomew Roberts. But such examples are rare.

Not all robbers who did not climb the gallows were provided for in old age. They spent money on wine and women, expensive clothing and gambling, and other fads. For example, according to the testimony of IV Archengolts. The history of sea robbers. M. 2010. Contemporaries, the pirate Roque The Brazilian liked to roll out a keg of wine into the street and, at gunpoint, make every passerby drink with him.

7. Many pirate treasures are buried in the sands

Legends say that Henry Morgan hid his treasures on Cocos Island (Costa Rica). But none of the more than 300 treasure-hunting expeditions found them. Nepomniachtchi N., Nizovsky A. 100 great treasures. M. 2007.

And in the National Library of France there is a note allegedly thrown by Olivier Levasseur before his execution in the crowd, which contains information about his treasure. However, numerous attempts to decipher the Levasseur cryptogram were unsuccessful.

In the 1950s, Perier N. Pirates was found on the island of Juventud near Cuba. World Encyclopedia. M. 2008. chest with gold and jewelry. It is believed that these are the treasures of Edward Teach. Some precious finds are also found on sunken ships. But there is no need to talk about huge treasures buried on tropical islands.

8. Only men became pirates

Contrary to popular misconceptions, women could also become pirates.

Jeanne de Belleville (1300-1359) was the wife of the French Count Olivier de Kliisson. In 1343 he was captured and executed by the French king Philip VI. Jeanne vowed revenge, sold all her property, equipped several ships and began to chase and sink French merchant ships. She continued with Henneman J. B. Olivier de Clisson and Political Society in France Under Charles V and Charles VI. 1996. harming the French crown until his wedding to the captain of the British troops. This, by the way, was her fourth marriage, and by that time Jeanne was the mother of seven children.

Anne Bonnie (c. 1700–1721), Irish-American, grew up in a wealthy plantation family, but she had a violent disposition. She ran away from home with an English sailor, and then became the wife and right-hand man of the famous pirate Jack Rackham, known by the nickname Calico Jack. Anne was notable for her courage and helped Balandin R. K. The famous sea robbers. M. 2012. Rakeemu rob ships in the Caribbean.

In 1720 they were joined by another pirate, Mary Reed (1685–1721). She was known for her ability to transform into a man. In the same year 1720, Anne, Jack and Mary flew into a well-armed English warship and were captured. The court sentenced Balandin RK Famous sea robbers. M. 2012. all three to death, but the execution of the sentence was postponed several times. How they ended their lives is not known for certain.

A former prostitute, Ms. Zheng, or Ching Xi (1775–1844), became the wife of the most powerful Chinese pirate admiral Zheng Yi. He commanded six squadrons, one of which he entrusted to his wife. After his death, Chin Xi became the commander of Murray, Dian H. Pirates of the South China Coast, 1790-1810. Stanford. 1987. the entire fleet. Her ships were robbed not only by ships, but also by coastal settlements and cities at river mouths.

9. Pirates were blasphemers

There is a widespread belief that all pirates were superstitious blasphemers. But it is not so.

Mozheiko I. V. often served on corsair ships. Pirates, corsairs, raiders. SPb. 1994. priest. He, like the other members of the team, received his share of the loot. After collecting the loot in a common cauldron, each member of the crew swore on the Bible that he had not hidden anything. Particularly religious captains donated part of the spoils to the church. This, however, did not prevent them from plundering monasteries and taking priests prisoner.

But the idea of superstition is very close to Perrier N. Pirates. World Encyclopedia. M. 2008. to the truth. Some of the captains carried astrologers with them. Most of the pirates wore all kinds of amulets, including earrings. The pirates did not shoot at the seabirds or eat them, they believed that the dead on board interfered with the compass, and part of the rope or skeleton of the hanged man was saved from the gallows.

10. Pirates are cruel scoundrels who only knew how to rob and kill

Among the pirate captains there were real butchers who did not leave prisoners and burned captured ships. Such were the French filibuster François Olone and the pirate Edward Lowe. However, in most cases, the pirates' bloodlust is greatly exaggerated.

The pirates themselves created the image of cruel killers so that the crews of the ships they captured were afraid to resist.

The atrocities were as ostentatious as possible so that witnesses could then tell about them at the port. More often than not, the crew of the captured vessel was simply beaten by Konstam E. Pirates. Buccaneers, filibusters, privates of the 16th-19th centuries. M. 2008.

Piracy was a complex craft that required the skill and skill of the crew. Often there were not enough competent specialists (pilots, carpenters and even doctors), and the catch was not found every day. In such a case, it was reckless to risk the lives of the crew in vain. Therefore, it was more profitable for a pirate ship to attack a weakly armed ship, whose crew, frightened by stories about bloodthirsty pirates, would surrender without a fight.

Among the pirates were educated people and even scientists. For example, the English privateer Francis Drake (1540-1596) made the second in history (after the expedition of Fernand Magellan) circumnavigation of the world. Drake made several geographical discoveries: he explored the western coast of North America and discovered the San Francisco Bay. However, this did not stop Elms C. Pirates. Stories about famous sea robbers. M. 2017. he was engaged in the slave trade and, on behalf of the English Queen Elizabeth I, plundered Spanish settlements, ships and convoys.

11. Pirates could not go to the official "peace service"

The aforementioned Francis Drake after her circumnavigation of the world, Elizabeth I personally dedicated Elms to the Pirates. Stories about famous sea robbers. M. 2017. to the knights. He acquired an estate with a castle, became mayor of the port city of Plymouth, was a royal naval officer and entered the British parliament. True, he later returned to privateering and died at sea of dysentery.

The privateer Henry Morgan (1635-1688) was another sea robber who abandoned the plunder. In 1673 he occupied Elms C. Pirates. Stories about famous sea robbers. M. 2017. post of vice-governor of Jamaica. But even in the days of honest service, he actively pandered to his former colleagues in the robbery.

Edward Teach also tried to establish a peaceful life. Blackbeard accepted an amnesty from the authorities, divided the booty with the governor of North Carolina, and married a planter's daughter. However, the British authorities did not forgive him for the siege of Charleston harbor, declared a wanted list, and in 1718 the pirate was killed.

12. Pirates used black marks

In fact, black marks are just a pretty image invented by the writer R. L. Stevenson. There is not a single evidence of IV Mozheiko. Pirates, corsairs, raiders. SPb. 1994. that pirates used black circles carved from the Bible as an ominous warning.

13. Pirate captains walked with parrots on their shoulders

In the golden age of piracy, exotic animals became popular in Europe. For pirates, overseas birds could become a valuable commodity: they were easy to transport and feed, and parrots cost a lot of money. But history does not know Perrier N. Pirates. World Encyclopedia. M. 2008. about pirates who walked with a parrot on their shoulder. But on the ships they willingly got cats: they caught rats and, according to sea beliefs, brought good luck.

14. The captain had absolute authority on the ship

Mostly former sailors became pirates. The discipline on the ships of that time was very tough: flogging, shackling, keeling, dragging a man by a rope under the bottom of the ship. Often this punishment led to death due to wounds: shellfish adhered to the underwater part of the ship, which cut the skin and flesh. - Approx. the author. were the norm. The crew of the ship was actually in the position of the captain's slaves. And many pirates were just sailors who escaped from the fleet.

The pirate had personal freedom: he could go ashore or change the ship. The captain of the pirate ship did not have absolute power - moreover, he was elected along with the other crew members. Ordinary pirates and their captain signed I. V. The history of the sea robbers. M. 2010. an agreement that specified not only the rules for dividing the spoils, but also bonuses for bravery, pensions and payments for injury and death.

15. Pirates were undisciplined drunks and rowdy

Despite their free status, the pirates adhered to the Constam E. Pirates. Buccaneers, filibusters, privates of the 16th-19th centuries. M. 2008. rules. Hiding prey could be punishable by death. It was forbidden to gamble and fight on board, to bring women and children to the ship. To maintain constant combat readiness, the pirate was obliged to keep the weapon in good order, not to interfere with his comrades to rest before or after the watch. Unauthorized abandonment of a ship or desertion in battle was punishable at best by being left on an uninhabited island.

16. Pirates couldn't live without rum

Rum was indeed common in the Caribbean and was often taken on sea voyages - but the rum was primarily used to sell and disinfect ship's water supplies. The fact is that at that time the sailors did not yet know how to store fresh water for a long time, so they took a supply of alcohol with them to disinfect it. And it wasn't always rum - wine and beer were also used.

The long-held belief that rum was a pirate's favorite drink arose largely because of the British naval base in Jamaica and the privateers that served it.