What kind of treasure did pirates take

But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. Clifford, Barry. The Pirate Prince. Cordingly, David. Under the Black Flag. Random House, Druett, Joan. Groushko, Mike. Courage Books, Harris, Graham. Booksurge, Stackpole, Jameson, W. Buried Treasures of the South. August House, Konstam, Angus. Wiley, Buccaneers Osprey, Pirates Little, Benerson.

Potomac Books, Lost Treasure. Time-Life Books, Matthews, John. Atheneum, Parry, Dan. Blackbeard: The Real Pirate of the Caribbean.

They decided to do something about it. She sanctioned civilian sailors to attack Spanish ships, steal cargo and bring it back. Whilst this might have appeared to piracy to the outside world, to the British it made you a hero — such as Sir Francis Drake.

Thousands of pirates were active from — These years are sometimes known as a 'Golden Age' of piracy. During this time news of piracy reached the ears of both rich and poor. Ballads about topical events were sung on the streets. Newspapers could be freely read in coffee houses for the price of a dish of coffee. There was a spectrum of opinion about the exploits of the more notorious pirates.

Published images often showed them as powerful and well dressed. Find out more about the most famous pirates. Learn more about the Golden Age of Piracy. We know the legend of swashbuckling, treasure chests and plank-walking, but what was a pirate's life actually like, and who chose to pursue this life of crime? Some historians have described pirate ships as the original republics.

Pirate captains had to be elected, with all decisions made upon the basis that they benefitted the crew. Any money that was captured was shared equally amongst the crew. Pirate crews tended to be less divided by national, religious and racial differences than communities were on land. There was however also tough discipline on board. If you failed to follow the rules, you could be flogged, killed, or marooned.

There were also long periods without food or medical supplies, and the only option was to go hungry. Although more British pirates were born in London than other seaports, there is no doubt that the most famous pirates were born elsewhere:. The most precious prizes were chests of gold, silver and jewels.

Coins were especially popular because pirate crews could share them out easily.