Pirates and Privateers
The History of Maritime Piracy

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

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Within these pages of Pirates & Privateers, you'll find articles on all aspects of maritime piracy from ancient times to modern day. Pirate Articles is an annotated list of all the articles I've written. Pirate Links is an annotated list of the best web sites that specialize in piracy and life at sea from early days through the Age of Sail. The Book Review pages house the reviews on the latest fiction and non-fiction pirate and maritime books for children and adults. Other highlights include specialized bibliographies, piratical places to visit, pirate dates in history, piracy quotes, and information about The Rebel and the Spy, my current novel-in-progress that started me on the path of piracy.

If you'd like to be notified when I post a new article, as well as to read the latest pirate-related news that doesn't appear here, subscribe to the Pirates and Privateers Newsletter. If you'd like to read a sample of my newsletter before you subscribe, click here. Subscribers never miss out on the latest happenings at Pirates and Privateers.

As always, if you have a question about pirates, please write and ask. If you'd like me to write about a particular pirate or subject, let me know. One cautionary note to those searching for genealogical information. Historical records about pirates are rare. Much of what is known comes from government records, including court trials, and the few first-person accounts written during a particular time period. This information rarely contains details pertinent to what you need to identify and/or learn about ancestors. The simple fact is that the vast majority of pirates' names remain unknown. I cannot answer this type of question, so rather than contact me, you should check genealogical depositories and websites, as well as national archives.

A special note to teachers and students: Answering questions and locating information is something I love to do. 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 within this website is copyrighted.

 
Fair winds and following seas,

Cindy

also known as The Pirate Lady

 

Click banner to listen to my interview

 

(Site updated 21 December 2020)

January Article 'Tis the Season for Pirate Cheer! Yo ho! Yo ho! Snowflakes and silver bells Ice-draped rigging and frosty breath A three-masted schooner and twinkling stars to guide her home In days of yore, three pirate poets gifted us with holiday cheer Once again may you enjoy these poems  as you raise a toast to a more promising year. Whatever holiday you celebrate, may it be one of good tidings and promises fulfilled. Happy Holidays and Blessings to All! Pirate Quote of the Month Storm rise, rocks threaten, and in every creek Pyrates and pickaroons their prizes seek. My soul should watch, look out, and use its glass, Prevent suprisals timely; but alas! Temptations give it chace, it's grappled sure, And boarded, whilst it thinks itself secure. -- John Flavell, Puritan Minister Navigation Spiritualized (1682)

The Bonnie Bookaneer's January Book Reviews Sailors & Spies by Jane Glatt Fantasy The Master Shipwright's Secrets by Richard Endsor Naval Architecture, History

Upcoming Appearances

	If you would like the Pirate Lady  to speak to your group, please contact me. For information on upcoming workshops, click here.

For additional appearances, visit Thistles & Pirates.

 
 
Pirate and Maritime News

Wreckwatch: Pirates How many shipwrecks have occurred throughout history? Estimates place the number at three million, and some just disappeared without anyone knowing because they sank far from shore. Wreckwatch is a new digital magazine that explores shipwrecks around the world and article contributions come from people associated with finding, exploring, studying, and highlighting these artifacts. Dr. Sean Kinglsey is the editor-in-chief and, for a quarter of a century, has worked in marine archaeology. He recently contacted me about writing an article for the third issue of Wreckwatch, which focuses on pirates. Since male pirates tend to get all the attention, he wanted one that featured women pirates. The Winter 2020 issue includes my article, "Rebels of Blue Water: Women & the Jolly Roger." Anne Bonny and Mary Read, of course, are mentioned, but so are other women. Also touched on is Hollywood's portrayal of these female rogues. Other articles discuss Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard, pirate flags, Captain Kidd, Libertalia, the Quedagh Merchant, the Fiery Dragon, John  Bowen, and much more. Single issues cost £4.99 GBP (about US $7) and a 4-issue subscription costs £15.96 (about $22). View Table of Contents Read the first page of "Rebels of Blue Water To purchase your copy or buy a subscription, click here or visit Wreckwatch.

Pirate & Maritime Events, Exhibits, & Courses

Events In light of Covid-19, please check with the venues to make certain events and museums are open and have not been cancelled or postponed. Christmas at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show 18 November 2020 - 2 January 2021 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Pirates of the Pontchartrain Festival 10-11 April 2021 17-18 April 2021 Louisiana Renaissance Festival Hammond, Louisiana

Exhibits, Courses, & Performances Pirates in the Waters of Macao 19 August 2020 - 31 January 2021 Archives of Macao Macao Sailor Made: Folk Art of the Sea Opened 18 September C. D. Mallory Building Mystic Seaport Museum Mystic, Connecticut Figure Heads Carvings of the Sea Opened 14 November 2020 Mystic Seaport Museum Mystic, Connecticut

Visitors' Reviews An impressive labor of love. Nice work. -- Jonathan Spencer

The Articles

Being a Pirate (or How to be one)
History of Piracy
Modern Piracy
Notorious Pirates (or Who was who)
Piracy Around the World
Pirates and Literature
Privateers
Wooden Sailing Ships

The Links

Activities for Young Pirates
Archaeology
Education
Exotic Ports of Call
History
Modern-day Piracy
Notorious Pirates
Pirate Literature
Piratical Books Online
Ships and Sailing
Treasure Troves
 

The Bookaneer

Latest Reviews
Five-Star Reviews
Books for Young Pirates
Books for Apprenticed Pirates and Young Adults
Fiction Books for Adults
Nonfiction Books for Adults
 

Special Resources

Pirate Adventures  and Pirates Adventures 2010 and Pirates Adventures 2017
Fun places for pirates in need of rest & relaxation
(Updated April 2017)

The Age of Sail
Examines merchant ships, maritime commerce, and seaports

Before the Age of Sail
Examines ships prior to the seventeenth century

Barbary Corsairs Resources
Articles, books, and web sites on the Barbary Corsairs

Canadian Piracy Resources
Articles, books, and web sites on piracy and privateering in Canada

Modern Piracy Resources
Articles, books, and web sites on piracy today
(Updated November 2020)

Pirates and Death
(PDF chart listing pirates and how they died)
(Updated October 2019)
 
Piratical Dates
Events in history related to pirates and the world in general
(Updated December 2020)

Pyrate Surgeons Resources
Articles, books, and web sites on pyrate surgeons and medicine at sea in the Age of Sail

Wooden Sailing Ships
Inside look at a wooden ship

Pirates and Privateers Site Map
 

The majority of the artwork on these pages is copyrighted by the artists.
To obtain permission for their use please go to ClipArt.com.

The backgrounds used on Pirates and Privateers are from WebGround.
 
 

The Rebel and the Spy

The Rebel and the Spy, my current Novel-in-Progress, centers around Jean Laffite and the Battle of New Orleans.  Below are links to places depicted in the novel and a resource list for those seeking information on Jean Laffite, Pirates, Ships in the Age of Sail, the Battle of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson, and many other subjects.

Jean Laffite's Haunts

New Orleans and Piracy Resource List
(Updated October 2020)
 

Each month I alert readers to the posting of my latest piracy article and book reviews, new additions made to the site, and interesting tidbits about piracy. If you'd like to receive the Pirates and Privateers monthly newsletter, just complete the form below.

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 e-mail addresses and forgot to notify me of the change.  Contact me and we'll try to solve 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.

Copyright © 2000-2018 Cindy Vallar

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