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.
