Welcome!
Welcome to The Pirate Fellowship. This is a place where you can learn all about the Golden Age of Piracy, from the pirates and privateers that robbed and plundered ships and coastal areas to the myths about piracy that have been largely debunked.
The Golden Age of Piracy was an era between the 1650s and 1730s where it is estimated that thousands of pirates were active at sea. These pirates attacked merchant ships traveling with goods such as gold, currency, tobacco, ivory, and slaves. The pirates usually attacked these ships when they were making their way back to Europe or Africa from the Caribbean, South America, or towns in the north Atlantic. Some pirates attacked towns along the coast as they were easy to access and escape from.
While the word “pirate” tends to be an umbrella term for those who rob others at sea, there are noted differences among those that participated in acts of piracy during the Golden Age:
Pirate
The term “pirate” has been used most generally throughout history, referring to those who attack and plunder ships and coastal areas. Whereas other groups would only attack based on nationality, pirates did not discriminate and would threaten anyone at will. They also did not have the backing of any nation.
Buccaneer
Buccaneers were pirates specific to the areas of the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Central and South America. Residing in the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola (now Haiti) and Tortuga, the buccaneers derived their name from the word boucan, French for the process of cooking meat over a fire. Originally hunters, governors of the Caribbean summoned them to attack towns in the colonies of rival nations on their behalf. Rarely did buccaneers engage in piracy on the open seas.
Privateer
While technically not considered a pirate, a privateer is called a “pirate with papers” by many. Privateers were commissioned by countries to attack and loot merchant ships of rival countries. They also attacked coastal towns in colonies ruled by other nations. Many privateers were ex-navy servicemen who were drawn to privateering because it was more lucrative and allowed them to escape the rigidity of naval vessels.
Corsair
Corsairs were pirates active in the Mediterranean Sea. The most well-known were the ones that operated along the Barbary Coast, the northern shores of Africa. Corsairs are also considered privateers since they were often backed by Muslim countries and attacked ships belonging to Christian countries.
Posts will be added to the website a few times per week so bookmark it and check back often. Thank you for visiting The Pirate Fellowship and enjoy!
The Golden Age of Piracy was an era between the 1650s and 1730s where it is estimated that thousands of pirates were active at sea. These pirates attacked merchant ships traveling with goods such as gold, currency, tobacco, ivory, and slaves. The pirates usually attacked these ships when they were making their way back to Europe or Africa from the Caribbean, South America, or towns in the north Atlantic. Some pirates attacked towns along the coast as they were easy to access and escape from.
While the word “pirate” tends to be an umbrella term for those who rob others at sea, there are noted differences among those that participated in acts of piracy during the Golden Age:
Pirate
The term “pirate” has been used most generally throughout history, referring to those who attack and plunder ships and coastal areas. Whereas other groups would only attack based on nationality, pirates did not discriminate and would threaten anyone at will. They also did not have the backing of any nation.
Buccaneer
Buccaneers were pirates specific to the areas of the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Central and South America. Residing in the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola (now Haiti) and Tortuga, the buccaneers derived their name from the word boucan, French for the process of cooking meat over a fire. Originally hunters, governors of the Caribbean summoned them to attack towns in the colonies of rival nations on their behalf. Rarely did buccaneers engage in piracy on the open seas.
Privateer
While technically not considered a pirate, a privateer is called a “pirate with papers” by many. Privateers were commissioned by countries to attack and loot merchant ships of rival countries. They also attacked coastal towns in colonies ruled by other nations. Many privateers were ex-navy servicemen who were drawn to privateering because it was more lucrative and allowed them to escape the rigidity of naval vessels.
Corsair
Corsairs were pirates active in the Mediterranean Sea. The most well-known were the ones that operated along the Barbary Coast, the northern shores of Africa. Corsairs are also considered privateers since they were often backed by Muslim countries and attacked ships belonging to Christian countries.
Posts will be added to the website a few times per week so bookmark it and check back often. Thank you for visiting The Pirate Fellowship and enjoy!
