--- title: Golden Age of Piracy author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Age_of_Piracy/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Golden Age of Piracy _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The Golden Age of [Piracy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piracy/) (1690-1730) refers to a period when robbery on the high seas and at colonial ports reached an unprecedented level. Although not all historians agree on the precise time frame, it is generally applied to those pirates who operated in the Caribbean, the east coast of America, the eastern Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean. Infamous names associated with the period include [Captain Kidd](https://www.worldhistory.org/Captain_Kidd/) (d. 1701), [Blackbeard](https://www.worldhistory.org/Blackbeard/) (d. 1718), and [Bartholomew Roberts](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bartholomew_Roberts/) (d. 1722). These men, and some [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) like [Anne Bonny](https://www.worldhistory.org/Anne_Bonny/) and [Mary Read](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mary_Read/), targetted merchant shipping and, much more rarely, well-armed treasure ships. The period ended when the Royal Navy, the British [East India Company](https://www.worldhistory.org/East_India_Company/), and colonial governors took a much more active and aggressive stance against piracy, resulting in the capture and public hanging of hundreds of pirates from London to the Carolinas. ### Defining an Era The 'Golden Age of Piracy' is rather an odd name to attach to a period when crime was rife, but this is of secondary concern to the problem of defining what exactly this period covers. Most historians would not include the period of the [buccaneers](https://www.worldhistory.org/Buccaneer/) who targetted the [Spanish Main](https://www.worldhistory.org/Spanish_Main/) and treasure ships earlier in the 17th century (c. 1650-1680). The close of that century is the most common starting point of the Golden Age for scholars, but some would restrict it to the first two or three decades, or even only the second decade of the 18th century. Here, then, in order not to omit certain points of interest pertinent to the subject of piracy, we will adopt a wider view and treat the 'Golden Age' as being approximately 1690 to 1730. It is also important to note that piracy has been conducted since antiquity and is still ongoing in many parts of the world so that an insistence on specific time frames is inherently problematic: piracy, it seems, has neither a starting nor a finishing point. Finally, there is, too, a question of geography. While piracy in our period was rife in many other parts of the world, the term 'Golden Age' in this context is usually restricted to those pirates who operated on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Indian Ocean. and off the coast of West [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/). Pirates such as those on the Barbary Coast and in East Asia are usually treated separately. The majority of the pirates in the Golden Age, therefore, are British or American, but there were significant numbers of other nationalities involved, notably Dutch and French, and pirate crews could, in fact, include anyone from just about anywhere, including former African slaves and indigenous peoples. [ ![The Jolly Roger](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/14409.png?v=1761506588) The Jolly Roger WarX (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14409/the-jolly-roger/ "The Jolly Roger")The question remains why piracy flourished in this particular period. Men and some women were tempted into a life of piracy by the harshness of life at sea on a merchant or naval vessel - the vast majority of pirates were experienced seamen - or because they could not find meaningful employment following the end of the wars between [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) and France. Following the Age of Exploration, the European colonies beyond the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) were now blossoming. These were communities growing in size and wealth and with a corresponding increase in merchant shipping to serve them. There was still, though, a lack of firm governance and military protection so far from the home nation so that many ports and ships were easy targets for pirates who cared not for the consequences of their crimes. ### The Captains While some pirate crew members have gained fame (or infamy) in their own right, the names most strongly attached to the period are those of captains. While most pirates wore the clothing that any other type of mariner wore, the captains were more wont to make a fashion statement and wear the flashy apparel the gentry of the period sported. Bartholomew Roberts (aka 'Black Bart' Roberts) was famous for wearing a scarlet [silk](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silk/) coat, a matching damask waistcoat, and a diamond necklace. Blackbeard (aka [Edward Teach](https://www.worldhistory.org/Blackbeard/)) wore black ribbons in his beard, carried six pistols, and had lit fuses under his hat whenever he went into [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/). Doubtless, these pirate captains were keen to create a legend about themselves that helped make sure a target vessel surrendered immediately and their own crews remained loyal. Other captains went for a more brutal approach to gaining notoriety. [Charles Vane](https://www.worldhistory.org/Charles_Vane/) (hanged 1721) once fired his cannons at the ship of the governor of the Bahamas, while [Edward Low](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_Low/) amassed a long list of heinous crimes such as mutilating, burning, and hanging his victims between 1721 and 1724. Captain [Stede Bonnet](https://www.worldhistory.org/Stede_Bonnet/) (hanged 1718), the 'Gentleman Pirate', was unusual because he chose a life of piracy as a change of pace from running his own plantation in Barbados. Piracy, it seems, attracted all sorts. [ ![Henry Every](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/14625.png?v=1757806625) Henry Every Naughty Dog/Sony (Copyright, fair use) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14625/henry-every/ "Henry Every")Finally, there are those pirates who were not particularly famous in their day but who have since grabbed the public’s imagination for one reason or another. Captain [John Rackham](https://www.worldhistory.org/Calico_Jack/) (aka '[Calico Jack](https://www.worldhistory.org/Calico_Jack/)', hanged 1720) was a small-time pirate now famous for his crew members of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, as well as his Jolly Roger with its crossed cutlasses. Captain [Benjamin Hornigold](https://www.worldhistory.org/Benjamin_Hornigold/) (d. 1719) was notable for giving up piracy and becoming, instead, a pirate hunter for the governor of the Bahamas. Captain [Samuel Bellamy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Samuel_Bellamy/) died in relative anonymity in 1717 when his ship *Whydah* was sunk in a storm off Cape Cod, but his name has been revived following the underwater exploration of this wreck and its invaluable contribution to our knowledge of Golden Age pirates, their loot, and their ships. ### The Pirate Ship Although novels and films often have pirates sailing large [galleon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galleon/)-type ships, the reality during the Golden Age was rather different. The vast majority of pirates preferred something like a sloop, which was fast, highly manoeuvrable, and capable of sailing through shallows where larger naval ships could not follow. In addition, pirates typically went after easy targets such as merchant vessels armed with no more than a handful of cannons. However, there were some notable exceptions as some pirates preferred a larger ship capable of matching a lower-rated naval vessel in firepower. Prestige was also a factor, and it is significant that the more notorious and successful pirates did possess the largest ships. Captain Kidd sailed the purpose-built *Adventure Galley*. This was a 287-ton three-masted ship, which could pursue a target in all conditions thanks to its mix of square-rigged sails, lateen sail (triangular), and banks of oars (46 in total). The *Adventure Galley* was crewed by over 150 men and was well-armed with 34 cannons. [Edward England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_England/) captured a fine ship off Madagascar in 1720, which he renamed the *Fancy*. This vessel also boasted 34 cannons and had a crew of around 180 men. Perhaps the most famous of pirate ships is Blackbeard’s *Queen Anne’s Revenge*, another captured vessel, this time a French slaver. *The Queen Anne’s Revenge* had a crew of at least 300 men, necessary to man the 40 cannons on board. The most powerful pirate ship of all in this period was Bartholomew Roberts’ *Royal Fortune*. The former French warship bristled with at least 42 cannons, and Roberts used it well, adapting it for speed and becoming the most successful of all Golden Age pirates in terms of ships captured, well over 400. [ ![Pirate Sloop](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/14648.png?v=1753195519) Pirate Sloop Starz Entertainment (Copyright, fair use) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14648/pirate-sloop/ "Pirate Sloop")### Methods of Attack Pirates typically targeted lone merchant vessels, usually when they were negotiating a narrow straight or were near shallows and islands so that a pirate ship could seemingly arrive out of nowhere. A pirate vessel might also get close to a target by flying a certain friendly national flag. Approaching from the stern was always a good idea since ships of the period had far fewer cannons there. The first weapon pirates used was terror, and this took the form of the Jolly Roger flag. When this flag was hoisted - usually black with a human skull and crossbones, although many variations existed - a merchant vessel was being warned that pirates were approaching, and the sensible thing to do was not to put up any resistance. A red flag might also be hoisted, which signalled that no quarter would be given if an attack began. As most pirate victims were poorly-armed, the pirates usually boarded their target with ease. For those ships that resisted, the pirates had an array of weaponry to choose from. Pirate ships, as we have seen, carried many cannons of various sizes, and the pirates themselves carried grenades, muskets, pistols, cutlasses, axes, and clubs. Firing cannons was not so common since pirates did not want to damage the target ship or its cargo, both of which might be useful to them. For this reason, when cannons were fired, it was typically as warning shots or to fire chain shot (two bars or balls connected by a short chain) which was designed to destroy rigging and masts and so temporarily disable the target vessel. Some pirate captains were tempted into attacking well-armed treasure ships, especially if they commanded a fleet of pirate ships and so enjoyed a great numerical advantage in cannons and men. As naval vessels almost always outgunned a pirate ship, these were avoided by pirates. ### Pirate Booty Pirates were first and foremost after portable loot, preferably [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/), [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/), and gems. Coins were the most easily disposed of and so a treasure chest of Spanish silver pesos (aka pieces of eight) or gold doubloons was most desirable. The next best thing was a valuable cargo. Items that could be easily sold included rolls of silk, spices, indigo, tobacco, rum, furs, hides, sugar, and other foodstuffs. The crew and any passengers were stripped of any valuables and fancy clothing. Weapons, navigational instruments, and medicines were always useful. Even humdrum nautical items like ropes, sails, and anchors were taken to replenish the pirates’ own equipment. Finally, the attacked ship could itself become the prize. Pirates were loath to spend time and effort repairing their own ship and so swapping for a more seaworthy vessel was quite common, as was upgrading to a bigger and better ship capable of carrying more cannons. [ ![Pieces of Eight from the Whydah](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/14662.png?v=1760636411) Pieces of Eight from the Whydah Theodore Scott (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14662/pieces-of-eight-from-the-whydah/ "Pieces of Eight from the Whydah")While most captures brought only dry goods or liquor and perhaps a few coins, there were some truly staggering captures in the Golden Age. The English pirate [Henry Every](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_Every/) (b. 1653) captured the *Ganij-i-Sawai* in 1695, a merchant ship of the Mughal emperor, which was carrying cargo worth over $95 million today. The share for each crew member was more than a lifetime’s wages. Wisely, Captain Every sailed over the horizon with his loot and was never seen or heard of again. In 1721, the biggest ever single prize was captured by John Taylor and Olivier La Bouche. Together, the two pirate ships boarded the Portuguese treasure ship *Nostra Senhora de Cabo* at Réunion Island. There was £500,000 in diamonds, gold, and other valuables, and a general cargo worth £375,000 (a total of over $250 million today). Booty was supervised by the quartermaster until such time as it could be shared out or sold and the proceeds divided. Crew members typically got one share each, the quartermaster and captain received two shares each, and the various 'officers' or more experienced seamen and skilled workers like the carpenter and gunner got something in between one and two shares. Crew members were also compensated for any injuries they had sustained during an attack. Few pirates ever kept hold of their ill-gotten gains long enough to think about hiding it away somewhere. Tales of buried treasure may appear frequently in pirate fiction, but there are few historical records of such behaviour. Captain Kidd did bury treasure, perhaps on Long Island, but treasure-seekers have remained frustrated at their lack of success in finding any of it. ### Pirate Havens Once loaded up with booty, pirates retreated to their haven. The main havens were Port Royal (Jamaica), Tortuga (Hispaniola), New Providence (Bahamas), and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Havens were chosen for their secluded and safe harbours and easy access to freshwater, fruit, meat, and timber in the island’s interior. Being close to the main shipping routes but not too close to the colonial authorities were distinct advantages, too. [ ![Map of the Spanish Main & Caribbean Pirate Havens c. 1670](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/14550.png?v=1763044283-1747497547) Map of the Spanish Main & Caribbean Pirate Havens c. 1670 Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14550/map-of-the-spanish-main--caribbean-pirate-havens/ "Map of the Spanish Main & Caribbean Pirate Havens c. 1670")Traders to buy looted cargo were essential, and they were attracted to havens because they could buy goods cheaply and then smuggle them into legitimate ports at much higher prices. The pirates lost out on the deal, but they got what they wanted: ready cash and plenty of booze. Some pirate captains were more ambitious and tried to deal directly with colonial ports where officials could be bribed and goods sold at better prices. Some of these officials, the most notorious being Charles Eden, governor of North Carolina, and Colonel Benjamin Fletcher in New York, even gave out pardons to pirates. Many pirate havens soon grew into large towns with inns, brothels, merchant stalls, and everything else mariners needed and desired when resting their sea legs. New Providence Harbour (Nassau) hosted some 600 pirates at its peak c. 1700, while at the same time, Madagascar had 1,500 pirates using the island as a base. Port Royal was a favourite of the buccaneers, but Golden Age pirates continued to make good use of its 100 taverns and other dubious facilities which gave rise to its nickname as the 'Sodom of the New World'. Port Royal was used in this way until its destruction during an [earthquake](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/earthquake/) in 1692. ### Justice & the Decline of Piracy The British government, pressured by legitimate merchants, colonists, and rulers such as the Moghul emperor was eventually obliged to act against piracy. The government was also greatly concerned that piracy was so rife it was driving out honest settlers from its colonies and leaving them so unpopulated they were becoming a great temptation for foreign powers to take over. From 1701, colonies were permitted to try and hang pirates themselves rather than ship them to England. In the 1710s, colonial governors like [Woodes Rogers](https://www.worldhistory.org/Woodes_Rogers/) (1679-1732) in the Bahamas were sent out from London specifically to replace the often corrupt government apparatus in the colonies and wipe out piracy in their jurisdiction. These new governors had both a carrot and stick to achieve their brief. The stick was naval warships and the hangman’s noose, while the carrot was a royal pardon from King [George I of Great Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/George_I_of_Great_Britain/) (r. 1714-1727) and the promise of land and work in the colonies. Many pirates did accept a pardon, and those who did not were eventually hunted down. An additional strategy which worked well was to offer cash rewards for those who informed on and captured pirates; many of these informers were former pirates themselves. [ ![Captain Kidd](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/14505.png?v=1776469155) Captain Kidd Unknown Artist (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14505/captain-kidd/ "Captain Kidd")New Providence was shut down as a pirate haven in 1718. The Royal Navy became an ever-more powerful presence in the western Atlantic, and when the colonial governors heard of illegal [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) going on in any new havens, they moved in swiftly with their warships. There was also a change of tactic with the navy, like the pirates themselves, opting for fast sloops instead of heavy gunships to pursue these criminals of the high seas. At the same time in the Indian Ocean, the East [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) Company began to use convoys and more aggressively protect its assets at sea. With their havens under attack and with far fewer possibilities to sell on stolen goods, a life of piracy became a very difficult one. It was also now much more dangerous as capture became more likely and the punishments harsher. The old days of letting off most pirate crews with a flogging as a warning and hanging only the captain were over. Now, entire crews were being brought to justice in show trials that ended in mass executions. In 1722 at Cape Coast Castle, Guinea in West Africa, 52 of Bartholomew Roberts’ crew were hanged in one day. At places like Execution Dock in Wapping, London, or Deadman’s Cay near Port Royal, the sight of hanged pirates swaying in the sea breeze became a familiar one to locals and passing ships. The most notorious pirates had their corpses hung in an iron cage, left to rot in the open air for one or two years. Even those who escaped the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) sentence often only had their fate delayed as they were either given lengthy sentences in disease-ridden prisons or transported to penal colonies for a short sharp life of hard labour. Piracy was never entirely stamped out, it is, after all, one of those crimes that seems to have always bedevilled humanity. However, as colonies came to establish themselves with more robust institutions of government and justice, so more people had a cause to see the end of piracy. Even the pirates themselves, those who had escaped the hangman’s noose, often settled down to a more respectable living on plantations or operated as honest merchants, the very targets they had once terrorized. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Breverton, Terry. *Breverton's Nautical Curiosities .* Quercus (1 April 2010), 2021.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B011T7YDCI/) - [Cordingly, David & Falconer, John. *Pirates.* Royal Museums Greenwich, 2021.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1906367779/) - [Cordingly, David. *Under the Black Flag.* Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2006.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/081297722X/) - [Defoe, Daniel . *A General History of the Pyrates.* 2021.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B09HPYZXCP/) - [Konstam, Angus & Bryan, Tony. *The Pirate Ship 1660–1730 .* Osprey Publishing, 2003.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1841764973/) - [Konstam, Angus & McBride, Angus. *Pirates 1660–1730 .* Osprey Publishing, 1998.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1855327066/) - [Konstam, Angus & Rickman, David & Rava, Giuseppe. *Pirate: The Golden Age.* Osprey Publishing, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1849084971/) - [Robert Downie. *Way of the Pirate.* Brick Tower Press, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B00L6YP9LY/) - [Rogozinski, Jan. *Pirates!.* Facts on File, 1995.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0816027617/) ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **1690 CE - 1730 CE**: The [Golden Age of Piracy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Age_of_Piracy/). - **May 1694 CE**: [Henry Every](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_Every/) leads a mutiny and takes over the Charles II which he renames the Fancy. - **1695 CE**: In London, [Captain Kidd](https://www.worldhistory.org/Captain_Kidd/) gathers a consortium of anonymous backers to fund a privateering expedition in the Indian Ocean. - **Sep 1695 CE**: The English pirate [Henry Every](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_Every/) captures a treasure ship of the Mughal emperor, one of the richest prizes ever taken by a pirate in any era. - **1697 CE - 1698 CE**: [Captain Kidd](https://www.worldhistory.org/Captain_Kidd/) commits several acts of [piracy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piracy/) in the Indian Ocean. - **30 Oct 1697 CE**: [Captain Kidd](https://www.worldhistory.org/Captain_Kidd/) kills one of his gunners, William Moore. - **30 Jan 1698 CE**: [Captain Kidd](https://www.worldhistory.org/Captain_Kidd/) attacks and captures the merchant ship Quedah Merchant off the coast of [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) near Cochin. - **1701 CE**: The British government permits colonies to try and hang pirates themselves rather than ship them to [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/). - **23 May 1701 CE**: The pirate [Captain Kidd](https://www.worldhistory.org/Captain_Kidd/) is hanged at Wapping Old Stairs, London and his body is left to rot in public veiw by the River Thames. - **1713 CE - 1718 CE**: The British pirate [Benjamin Hornigold](https://www.worldhistory.org/Benjamin_Hornigold/) is active in the Caribbean and North American coast. - **1716 CE - 1720 CE**: The English pirate [Charles Vane](https://www.worldhistory.org/Charles_Vane/) is active in the Caribbean and east coast of America. - **1717 CE**: [Woodes Rogers](https://www.worldhistory.org/Woodes_Rogers/) is appointed the Governor of the Bahamas for the first time. - **1717 CE - 1718 CE**: The pirates [Edward Teach](https://www.worldhistory.org/Blackbeard/) (aka [Blackbeard](https://www.worldhistory.org/Blackbeard/)) and [Benjamin Hornigold](https://www.worldhistory.org/Benjamin_Hornigold/) sail in consort. - **1717 CE - 1720 CE**: The pirate [Edward England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_England/) is active in the Caribbean, Eastern Atlantic, and Indian Ocean. - **Mar 1717 CE - Oct 1718 CE**: The Barbadian pirate [Stede Bonnet](https://www.worldhistory.org/Stede_Bonnet/) is active in the Caribbean and off the east coast of North America. - **Apr 1717 CE**: The British pirate [Samuel Bellamy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Samuel_Bellamy/) dies when his ship Whydah is shipwrecked off Cape Cod. - **Oct 1718 CE**: The two pirate crews of [Blackbeard](https://www.worldhistory.org/Blackbeard/) and [Charles Vane](https://www.worldhistory.org/Charles_Vane/) enjoy a week-long party on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. - **Nov 1718 CE**: The pirate crew of [Charles Vane](https://www.worldhistory.org/Charles_Vane/) votes to depose him. They select [John Rackham](https://www.worldhistory.org/Calico_Jack/) ('[Calico Jack](https://www.worldhistory.org/Calico_Jack/)') as their new captain. - **Nov 1718 CE**: The Barbadian pirate [Stede Bonnet](https://www.worldhistory.org/Stede_Bonnet/) is hanged in Charleston, South Carolina. - **Apr 1719 CE**: [Anne Bonny](https://www.worldhistory.org/Anne_Bonny/) and [John Rackham](https://www.worldhistory.org/Calico_Jack/) steal a ship in the Bahamas and embark on a life of [piracy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piracy/) in the Caribbean. - **1720 CE - 1722 CE**: The Welsh pirate [Bartholomew Roberts](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bartholomew_Roberts/) ('Black Bart' Roberts) is active on both sides of the Atlantic. - **Nov 1720 CE**: The pirates '[Calico Jack](https://www.worldhistory.org/Calico_Jack/)' ([John Rackham](https://www.worldhistory.org/Calico_Jack/)), [Anne Bonny](https://www.worldhistory.org/Anne_Bonny/), and [Mary Read](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mary_Read/) are apprehended in the Caribbean by the Jamaican authorities. - **28 Nov 1720 CE**: [Anne Bonny](https://www.worldhistory.org/Anne_Bonny/) and [Mary Read](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mary_Read/) are tried for [piracy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piracy/) in Jamaica and found guilty. Thier sentence of [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) by hanging is postpoend as both are pregnant. - **1721 CE**: John Taylor and Olivier La Bouche capture the Portuguese treasure ship Nostra Senhora de Cabo at Réunion Island. - **1721 CE - 1724 CE**: The English pirate [Edward Low](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_Low/) is active in the Caribbean and eastern Atlantic. - **Mar 1721 CE**: The English pirate [Charles Vane](https://www.worldhistory.org/Charles_Vane/) is hanged in Jamaica. - **1722 CE**: The pirates [Edward Low](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_Low/) and George Lowther operate in tandem in the Caribbean. - **1722 CE**: At Cape Coast Castle, Guinea in West [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/), 52 of [Bartholomew Roberts](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bartholomew_Roberts/)’ crew are hanged. - **Jan 1722 CE**: The Welsh pirate [Bartholomew Roberts](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bartholomew_Roberts/) captures 11 ships of the West African coast. - **12 Feb 1722 CE**: The Welsh pirate [Bartholomew Roberts](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bartholomew_Roberts/) ('Black Bart' Roberts) is killed in action against the Royal Naval vessel HMS Swallow. ## Questions & Answers ### What is considered the Golden Age of Piracy? Historians do not all agree but the most common date range for the Golden Age of Piracy is 1690 to 1730. ### Who started the Golden Age of pirates? No individual started the Golden Age of pirates, rather, it was a time when colonial authorities did not have the money, men or ships to effectively police the high seas, particularly in the Caribbean Sea. Merchants of new colonies became easy targets for pirate ships. ### Who was the worst pirate in history? There are many candidates for who was the worst pirate in history. Blackbeard was the most terrifying to look at, Captain Kidd annoyed the authorities because they thought he had buried secret treasure, and Charles Vane was very cruel to captives. Bartholomew Roberts was by far the 'worst' pirate in terms of most captured ships. ### Why did the Golden Age of Piracy end? The Golden Age of Piracy ended because colonial authorities began to use more men and ships to hunt down pirates. Punishments were more severe than previously, and many of the most notorious pirates were hanged. ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2021, October 12). Golden Age of Piracy. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden\_Age\_of\_Piracy/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Age_of_Piracy/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "Golden Age of Piracy." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 12, 2021. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden\_Age\_of\_Piracy/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Age_of_Piracy/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "Golden Age of Piracy." *World History Encyclopedia*, 12 Oct 2021, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden\_Age\_of\_Piracy/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Age_of_Piracy/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 12 October 2021. 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