We’ve all seen shows and movies and read stories about pirates, right? But how much of it was fiction, and how much was actually true? In this article, we’ll uncover over 30 incredible, 100% true facts about pirates that might surprise you. From hidden treasures to strange habits, let’s dive into the real world of pirates and see just how much you know about them.
The Value of a Map
Pirates weren’t just after gold, silver, and other treasures like the books will have you believe — they also hunted valuable maps. In 1680, pirates stole what would forever be known as the most valuable pirate booty in the world, which contained important navigational maps, charts, and descriptions.
Pirate Bartholomew Sharpe created an English version of this Spanish atlas and gave it to the King of England as a gift. Little did he know that this gift may just have saved him from being executed. What a find!
Captured by Pirates
It seems that not even “famous” people were safe from pirates, with Julius Caesar once being captured by pirates. They asked for a ransom of two talents of silver, but Caesar just laughed and insisted they ask for 50 instead, saying he was worth much more. Of course, the pirates found this very amusing, and while waiting for the ransom, Caesar joked around with them.
He even told them that he would come back to punish them. The pirates thought he was joking, but after being freed, Caesar returned, captured the pirates, and had them all executed.
How to Become a Pirate Captain
Pirate captains weren’t just born into the job — they were elected or chosen by their crew. Pirates ultimately wanted someone brave and smart to lead them into battle. So, the crew would vote for the person they thought was the toughest and best at making these decisions.
But, if a captain wasn’t doing a good job, the crew could vote them out and replace them. Pirate captains had a tricky job keeping their crew safe and happy, or they would quickly find themselves back as a regular pirate again.
Pirates and Their Flags
Pirates used unique flags to scare off their enemies. These flags were designed to send a clear message to other ships — surrender or face a lot of trouble! Pirates chose symbols that looked fierce to strike fear in other ships and their crews.
Each pirate crew would have its own unique flag. Some added skeletons, swords, or even hourglasses to show that time was running out. The scarier the flag, the more likely ships would give up without a fight.
Hooks and Peg-Legs
Pirates in books and movies are famous for having hooks instead of hands and peg legs. But this happened in real life, too, and many pirates lost limbs in battles or accidents at sea. Instead of giving up, they used hooks or wooden legs to keep going.
Hooks helped pirates grab things and still be able to fight, while peg legs let them walk again after losing a leg. These two things quickly became a part of the pirate image, making them look even tougher and scarier.
Pirate Vs. Pirate
Pirates were incredibly competitive and wouldn’t fight each other — they sometimes teamed up. Many pirate ships formed alliances with each other and created fleets of ships to increase their chances of capturing valuable treasure. Working together made it easier to succeed and share their rewards.
By forming fleets, pirates became even more powerful. They could also share important resources and tips, which helped them improve their pirate skills, making them even better pirates than before. It just goes to show that a little teamwork goes a long way.
Who Doesn’t Love a Good Book?
Pirates didn’t just steal gold, treasures, and maps — they stole books too! Some pirates were literate, loved reading, and knew books could be valuable. They took books from the ships they stole, especially about navigation, maps, and other lands that could help them on their adventures.
Books gave pirates important information, making them smarter and better at sailing the seas. Some of them even collected rare books as treasures. So, while pirates were known for pilfering, they also had a soft spot for a good book.
Blackbeard’s Beard
The pirate Blackbeard was famous for being scary, and he had a clever little trick that made him even more so. He would tie hemp into his beard and light it on fire. The smoke made him look like a monster, scaring anyone who saw him.
Blackbeard would charge into battle with smoke billowing from his beard, making his enemies think twice about fighting him. We don’t blame them for running because we wouldn’t want to face a pirate with a beard on fire!
Pirates and Their Parrots
Did you know that pirates really did have parrots? These colorful and fun companions often accompanied pirates on their long sea journeys. They were easy to care for and could even learn to talk, entertaining the crew members while sailing the seas.
Parrots also came from tropical places like islands where pirates often traveled and were sometimes sold as valuable pets. Having parrots wasn’t just fun for the pirates — it could also be a way to make extra treasure and add to their loot.
Daddy the Pirate
Not all pirates were the scary loners you see on TV and in movies. Many of them were actually married family men who had children waiting for them back home. While they sailed the seas for treasure, they also cared for their families.
When pirates weren’t looting other ships, they spent time with their families, just like other dads. They might have been tough at sea but were just family men who wanted to provide for their wives and children at home.
Earrings — Not Just a Statement
Pirates didn’t just wear earrings for style — they believed they helped with seasickness. Some pirates thought that wearing gold or silver earrings pressed on special points in their ears helped them feel less sick on rough seas.
While it might sound strange to us today, pirates were always looking for ways to feel better or improve their sailing. Earrings were a simple trick that they used to try to keep their stomachs steady and settled during those long journeys.
Anyone for a Cup of Grog?
While books and movies will have you believe that pirates drank nothing but rum, they actually drank their own concoction, which they called “grog.” This drink was made from rum, water, sugar, and sometimes lime and was a favorite on those long journeys at sea.
The lime wasn’t just for taste, and it helped prevent scurvy — a sickness that pirates got from a lack of Vitamin C. Grog helped keep the pirates healthy, and, yes, it also made life a little more fun — especially during boring days at sea.
Pirates Vs. Privateers
Privateer pirates weren’t like regular pirates and were considered “legal” pirates. Their countries hired these pirates to attack enemy ships and steal their treasures. Instead of being punished, they got to keep some of the loot as a reward for helping during times of conflict.
The privateer pirates had permission — a letter of marque — that made their actions legal and official. Even though they acted like pirates, they worked for a country and didn’t have to worry about being hunted down by the law.
Were Pirates the “Good Guys”?
Pirates are known for causing trouble, right? Well, that’s not all they did; they actually helped local towns by spending their stolen treasure in shops, buying food, clothes, and other supplies they needed while at sea. This meant extra money and business for the towns they visited.
Pirate ships were often repaired in local ports, creating jobs for shipbuilders and other town workers. So, while they might have been pretty scary, they also helped boost the local economy wherever they went.
Pirate Uniforms
The pirates we see in movies, like Johnny Depp‘s Captain Jack Sparrow, don’t always match the real pirate fashion. Historian Daphne Palmer Geanacopolous says that Johnny was the only one who looked like his character in Pirates of the Caribbean.
Real pirates actually wore regular sea clothes. And only the captains, who were wealthy, would have worn fancier outfits like we see on TV. They didn’t have the flashy style that we think they did, and the movies add that extra flair.
