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The History of Maritime Piracy

Cindy Vallar, Editor & Reviewer
P.O. Box 425, Keller, TX  76244-0425

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Welcome in many languages (Source:
                Canstockphoto.com)Cindy Vallar & friend

Welcome aboard Pirates and Privateers, a site devoted to the history of maritime piracy, privateering, and the sea before the Age of Steam.

Within these pages you will find articles dealing with the history and culture of these topics from ancient times to modern day. Click one of the links above or below to explore the treasures within this website.

Newest Article               Newest Book Reviews               Pirate Quote of the Month

News of Note               Events & Activities               Special Resources               The Rebel & the Spy

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                              with Cindy VallarGold and
                              Gunpowder Podcast with Cindy Vallar

Each month, I send out a newsletter about the latest article and reviews posted here. I also include information that doesn't appear at Pirates and Privateers, but is still of interest to adherents of piracy and maritime history. By subscribing to the newsletter, you'll never miss out on the latest happenings here at Pirates and Privateers.

As always, if you have a question about pirates, please write and ask. If there is a particular pirate or subject, you'd like me to write about, let me know.
One cautionary note for those seeking genealogical information: Historical records about pirates are rare. Much of what is known comes from government records, newspaper accounts, and the few contemporary accounts written during a particular period. This information rarely contains details pertinent to what you need to know to identify an ancestor. The simple fact is that the vast majority of pirates' names remain unknown. I cannot answer genealogical questions. Instead, I recommend contacting genealogical depositories and websites, historical societies, and national archives -- places where the librarians and curators are better trained to assist in this type of query.
A special note to teachers and students: If you need help with a project or report, please contact me. Should you use any of my articles or reviews, please let me know and remember to include the proper citation. The majority of material contained with this website is copyrighted.


Fair winds and following seas,
Cindy

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(site last updated 19 June 2025)


Pirate Quote of the Month
. . . the Pirates commit un-heard of Cruelties; they have hang’d Capt. Abraham Plumb of the Prince’s Galley [sic]; and just as if they set themselves apart to study Cruelty, have hang’d several of the Negroes by the Legs, and afterwards shot ‘em.”

from an article that appeared in the Weekly Journal on 10 October 1719

(Howell Davis and his men, including Bartholomew Roberts, did attack Princess,
but this is an example of fake news in the 18th century. Captain Plumb was still
alive 10 years after his reported death.)
 
Smiley AhoyJune-July ArticleSmiley Ahoy Reading pirate smileyJune-July ReviewsReading pirate smiley
Verboten!

There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable.

In fact, the more things are forbidden, the more popular they become.

Has anyone ever said you can’t have something? Your immediate reaction is to crave what you can’t have, just as Mark Twain wrote. Twice, my parents told me I couldn’t read two books, so I tried my darndest to do just that. (Succeeded once, failed once.) Pirates included provisions in their codes that forbade certain behaviors because they knew that these could cause trouble amongst themselves, usually when they could least afford the strife. That didn’t mean that they totally denied themselves such temptations and seductions. They simply waited until opportunity presented itself.


Author’s Note:
While I worked on this article, my father passed away. He shared his affinity for the water and boats with me in my youth, which helped awaken a desire to write about pirates. This article is for him. Now that you are at peace and without pain, Dad, may you eat, drink, and be merry.

My Father
Lee Aker
Rest in peace

A Merciful Sea
by Katie Daysch
Nautical Fiction

Don't Disturb the Pirate!
by Rhiannon Findlay
illustrated by Siân Roberts
Books for Young Pirates

Story Spinners
by Cassandra Federman
Books for Pirate Apprentices: Graphic Novels

The Adriatic Affair
by Jennifer N. Sellitti
Disasters, Mutinies, & Shipwrecks


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Pirate & Maritime News
Events & Activities

Under
                                Construction Sig

Some pages remain in the old style, while others are in the new style. We apologize for this. After twenty-four years, there are many pages to overhaul and this takes time. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

The latest pages that have been overhauled include Friends and Enemies, The Jolly Roger and No Quarter Given, Medicine at Sea, A Most Unwelcome Death, Oh To Be a Pirate, Pirate Tactics, and Pirates & Death.


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2024 Inductee
Eric
                                        Jay DolanCongratulations to Eric Jay Dolin, a new inductees to the International Pirate Hall of Fame. He is one of over 500 nominees. Previous winners include Dave Burgess, Toby Stephens, and Angus Konstam. The organization, which hopes to one day open a museum for all to visit, is to preserve history, honor those who have created a name for themselves through acts of piracy, and encourage others involved in keeping history alive.

Eric writes, "Getting this accolade is great fun! Aaaarrrrrgghhh!!!" Eric is the author of numerous books, including one about pirates entitled Black Flags, Blue Waters (review). To learn more about Eric and his books, visit his website.

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Rarely is state piracy as blatant as in the case of Blackbeard's Law -- a North Carolina statute that targeted videographer Rick Allen's unique footage of Blackbeard's flagship Queen Anne's Revenge. The statute claimed that the state could freely use, copy, and distribute Allen's artistic work without compensating him.

After being sued, North Carolina amended its statute but continued its claims and its use of his work. Last August, the state's attempt to have the lawsuit kicked out of court failed. The sate appealed the judge's ruling to the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. Allen has filed an appeal in which he explains that the state is conducting "piracy on a grand scale: a targeted attempt to take [his] body of work by intentionally infringing his copyrights and by adopting policies that allow others to do the same, all without any due process or compensation." For more information or a history of this 10-year defense of intellectual property rights, click on the headline above.


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Cover Art:
                                    Tides of FuryWil Shade, also known as Will Streett, announces the release of his serialized historical novel, Tides of Fury, which is set in the early 19th century. The story focuses on Penny Rollings and Jack Pyle as they confront slavery, war, and their own convictions. He writes, "America is entering its adolescence -- with no guarantees, multiple existential challenges, and deep moral contradictions. And the people of Maryland are caught in the middle of it all."

For the next few weeks, all the content (individual chapters and other bonus offerings) are free. The first 12 chapters are free, but the rest will be offered only on a subscription basis. There are 2 options. Full access to the novel and bonus materials costs $5 per month or $50 annually. Founders, those who subscribe for $100, will have lifetime access, which includes access to all novels in this series as well as exclusive extras.

To read the opening chapters, to learn more, and to subscribe, visit the link above.

Art of the Sea
Online Exhibition & Sale
The American Society of Marine Artists & The National Maritime Historical Society

Brick Wrecks
Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks
8 March - 31 August 2025
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom

Pirates
29 March 2025 - 4 January 2026
National Maritime Museum
Greenwich, United Kingdom

Vikings Before Vikings
11 April - 30 December 2025
Vrak -- Museum of Wrecks
Stockholm, Sweden
 
Pirate Day
27 June 2025
Marco Island, Florida

Privateer Days
27 & 29 June 2025
Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada

Vikings North Exhibition
11 July 2025 - 2027
Yorkshire Museum
York, United Kingdom

Boarded
A New Pirate Adventure
12 July 2025
11 October 2025
29 November 2025
27 December 2025
Maritime Museum of San Diego
San Diego, California

Golden Age of Piracy
12-13 July 2025
Old Royal Naval College
Greenwich, United Kingdom

Bald Head Island Pirate Invasion
1-3 August 2025
Bald Head Island, North Carolina

Ontario Pirate Festive
2-4 August 2025
Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Boyne City Piratefest
7-9 August 2025
Boyne City, Michigan

Pirates & Wenches Weekend
8-10 August 2025
Rock Hall, Maryland

Outer Banks Pirate Festival
14-15 August 2025
Nags Head, North Carolina

Pirate Viking Summer Festival
23-24 August 2025
Edgewood, New Mexico
 

Maritime Heritage Conference
24-27 September 2025
Buffalo Convention Center
Buffalo, New York

Pirates Weekend
Royal Stagg Renaissance Festival
27-28 September 2025
Marshall, Michigan

Sail 250th New York
4 July 2026
New York City, New York



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Special Resources


The following pages and files contain travel adventures, photo galleries, resources,
and historical data pertaining to pirates, privateers, and maritime history.
I have gathered this information either while doing research or when traveling.

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Fun places for pirates in need of rest & relaxation

Pirate Adventures


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Photo Galleries

Before the Age of Sail

The Age of Sail

Wooden Sailing Ships


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Resources

Barbary Corsairs Resources

Canadian Piracy Resources

Modern Piracy Resources

Pirates & Death

Time Line of History


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Janes Madison, 1816, White House Collection
                      (Source:
                      https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:James_Madison.jpgJean LaffiteDolley
                      Madison by Gilbert Stuart, 1804 (Source:
                      https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dolley_Madison_(cropped).jpg)General Andrew Jackson by John Wesley Jarvis,
                      circa 1819 (Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:General_Andrew_Jackson_MET_DT2851.jpg)William C. C. Claiborne, artist unknown, 19th
                      century (Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_C_C_Claiborne_rectangleLAState.jpg)

The Rebel & the Spy
These five people played roles in the War of 1812. James Madison (far left) was president at the time and, in my current work-in-progress, he has a special assignment for Lucas Burnett, one of the protagonists in the novel. Jean Laffite (beside Madison) operates a smuggling operation, based on barrier islands southwest of New Orleans. One of his captains, is Dominique You, whose sister Alexine has been raised in this nefarious world of smugglers, pirates, privateers, and cutthroats. Dolley Madison is the country's presidentress (first lady) and plays a vital role in preserving some of our national treasures during the British invasion of Washington City. General Andrew Jackson (second from right) has no intention of allowing the British to gain entry to the United States through its back door (the Mississippi). Governor William C. C. Claiborne (far right) is Lucas's cousin and a constant thorn in Laffite's side. They come together within the pages of The Rebel & the Spy, a historical novel where it's not always easy to decide who is the rebel and who is the spy.

The links below are to a gallery of places depicted in my novel and a resource list for those seeking information on the people pictured above, pirates, ships in the age of sail, the Battle of New Orleans, the invasion and burning of Washington, the bombardment of Fort McHenry, and much more. (Please note that these pages are updated from time to time, so check back to see what's been added.) I hope you enjoy.

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Pirates & Privateers Newsletter

Each month I alert readers to the posting of the latest piracy article and book reviews, new additions made to the website, and interesting maritime tidbits. If you would like to receive the monthly Pirates & Privateers Newsletter, send me an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

If you're not sure, here's a sample newsletter to read. I hope you enjoy!


Note to subscribers: If you fail to receive your newsletter, it's possible that your e-mail provider returned it to me for one of several reasons: they deem it to be junk mail; your mailbox is over quota; access to your account is denied; or you changed your e-mail address and forgot to notify me of the change. Contact me and we will try to resolve the problem.

If your newsletter bounces two months in a row and you don't contact me, I just delete you from the subscriber list. You're welcome to resubscribe if that occurs.


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Copyright ©2023
Cindy Vallar

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