Today, most people think that being a pirate is romantic. After all, this occupation was accompanied in the old days by adventures, countless treasures and funny boozes after successful robberies. But in reality, everything was different, not as described in films and books. Let's talk about what the pirates were like in reality.
Instruction manual
1
Piracy came along with the advent of shipping. And the first fleet, consisting of warships, was created to combat sea pirates. Someone had to protect merchant ships from attacks.
2
Privateering was called legalized piracy. This word used to be called maritime terror aimed at ships of other states. This action was carried out on behalf of the authorities mainly for political purposes. Privateer held a robbery patent and paid a certain percentage to the state treasury. In another way, privateers were also called corsairs.
3
Another type of pirate was filibuster. In the early 17th century, these robbers robbed exclusively Spanish ships in the Caribbean. France and England, although they passed laws against piracy, they supported the filibusters in every possible way, since it was beneficial for them to weaken Spain, which was powerful at that time.
4
Not everyone knows, but the flag with the image of the Jolly Roger was used initially to signal that there was an epidemic on the ship. Later, the pirates began to lift it immediately before the battle, to demoralize the enemy. Although it is generally accepted that pirates constantly flew under such a flag, be aware that this is not true.
5
In fact, the pirate black mark was invented by the writer R.L. Stevenson in Treasure Island. In reality, there was nothing like this. Stevenson also came up with the idea that pirates constantly drank rum on ship and land. The robbers allowed themselves to get drunk only when they went ashore, and during the voyage there was usually a dry law.
6
The loot, plundered in battle, was helped by the quartermaster to share the pirates. The captain took 10 shares to himself - most of all. The ship carpenter received less everything, since he did not participate in the battle. If a pirate was injured, he was additionally given compensation for this.
7
It is believed that the pirates wore a blindfold for a reason, but for practical reasons. The thing is that often when boarding fighters had to go down into the dark hold. From the light, the eyes should get used to the darkness for several minutes, and in combat conditions such a delay in death is similar. With a bandage, the pirate could see in the hold instantly, just remove it and you can immediately engage in battle.
8
Pirates had the right to wear an earring in their ear only if they had already crossed the equator. Or after the extreme southern point of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Cape Horn, is rounded.
9
The pirates' nicknames were not for beauty, but because they hid their real names. Thus saving themselves and their loved ones from the omnipresent justice.
10
Pirates didn’t actually bury treasures here and there. If this was done, it is very rare, in forced circumstances. Although in films and books, everything looks very different.
