A short history of Piracy

Pirates have always existed. They still exist today.

These ex-citizen often did not agree with methods of taxation and/or control over others. The liberty and responsibility of the seas rendered these sailors very autonomous and, as such, no longer in need of Queens or Kings to dictate their way onto a fleet at seas

Les Boucaniers (Buccaneers), Sir Francis Drake the Privateers and other pirate figures

They rarely had an allegiance, and when they did it was needed and agreed by the crew. Their true allegiance was to their own crew. They created a code of pirates in which democracy is at the core of it.

The creation of a Pirate Code

It did not take too long for these sea wanderer to understand that organisation, cooperation and a minimum care for each other made their fleet stronger and more pleasant to live on. They've attracted several young rebel and freethinker who saw some of the abuses the crown or local authority would do, and decided the cause was worth it to join that bunch of sea wanderers.

What is the essence of a Pirate code:

The pirate code was a set of written or verbal guidelines, or "articles of agreement," established by individual pirate crews to govern their ship's operations, behavior, and the fair division of plunder.

These codes provided order, democracy, and mutual benefit among pirates. But were not all common, with each fleet having its own unique rules (like countries have different rules, same concept))

Common rules included maintaining weapons, regulating gambling and drinking, and ensuring all crew members had a vote in decisions, as well as stipulating what share of the treasure each person would receive.

The codes:

1. Democratic Governance

Every crew member is granted an equal vote in important decisions.

2. Division of Spoils

Treasure and plunder would be divided as agreed by all.

3. Behavioral Rules

Strict guidelines on keeping weapons clean, maintaining discipline, and regulating conduct like gambling and smoking near gunpowder.

4. Discipline and Punishment

Violations of the code could result in severe punishments, such as marooning (being abandoned on a desert island) or keelhauling.

5. No fighting/stealing amongst the crew

Striking another crew member could lead to severe penalties.

6. Equal shares of plunder