---
title: The Jolly Roger
author: WarX
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14409/the-jolly-roger/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# The Jolly Roger
_Authored by WarX_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14409.png)
## Image Caption
The Jolly Roger, a flag used by pirates and first documented c. 1700. The term 'Jolly Roger' actually referred to any design of pirate flag using macabre imagery. These flags were designed to instill terror into victims and bring immediate surrender whenever they were raised.
## Cite This Work
### APA
WarX. (2021, July 23). The Jolly Roger. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
WarX. "The Jolly Roger." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 23, 2021. .
### MLA
WarX. "The Jolly Roger." *World History Encyclopedia*, 23 Jul 2021, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Edward_England.svg) by [**WarX**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Edward_England.svg). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 23 July 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.