The term Golden Age of Piracy refers to a historical period when piracy was at its most prevalent within the Atlantic region, encompassing a vast area including the Caribbean, North America, parts of Europe and the west coast of Africa. Stretching from the 1670s to around 1730, the Golden Age can be broken down into three distinct phases, with the third era acknowledged as the most renowned throughout history; it is a fascinating period, studied extensively by experienced deckhand Oliver Mills-Nanyn.
The first phase, covering the 1670s and 1680s, relates to a time when pirates, mostly of French origin, tussled over predominantly land-based territories in the Caribbean. The 1690s gave rise to the activity of British pirates in the Indian Ocean, involving notable historical figures such as Henry Every and Captain Kidd.
Increased Organisation and Famous Pirates
The third phase within the Golden Age of Piracy is categorised as beginning around 1713 and ending in 1730. The pirate republic at Nassau, located in the Bahamas on the island of Providence, was founded during this phase, and this period also established some of the most recognizable names in piracy, including Blackbeard, Captain Hornigold, Anne Bonny and Charles Vane, among others.
The embedded PDF looks at the exploits of one of history’s most famous pirates, Blackbeard.
Although piracy has often been perceived as lawless and disorganised, the most successful pirates ran tightly controlled ships. While the captain had overall control of the ship’s routes and command during battle, the quartermaster governed the ship’s operations and allocated the spoils. An effective team also included a boatswain, carpenter and navigator.
The 1600s saw battles over the ownership of plantation colonies in the Caribbean, notably between British and Spanish parties. However, the rise in pirate activity can also be attributed to worldwide political issues, with the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714) leading to the appointment of privateers, working on behalf of either the British or the Spanish to attack enemy fleets.
The Decline of Piracy from 1726
The late 1720s saw a significant shift in the amount of pirate activity. As larger and more diligent governments were founded, privateering was outlawed and colonial ports grew, pirates were subject to greater restrictions.
It should also be noted that however renowned these pirates became, piracy was generally a short-lived career. The violence involved in the profession translated to short life expectancies; fighting was not only limited to skirmishes over territories or ships but also broke out between fellow crew members. Bartholomew Roberts’ career, for example, only spanned the years from 1719 to 1722.