Pirates have been around for a long time – they first appeared in the 1200s, in the Mediterranean Sea, and these early pirates – known as Barbary pirates – were active mostly in North Africa. But The Golden Age of Piracy was to truly begin in the 1650s and lasted until the 1730s. During this period, pirates were sailing across all oceans, but one could meet them mostly in North Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Pirates are adventurous

Pirates are intriguing characters with colorful but rough personalities and often a fearsome appearance. They are renowned for their daring and adventurous spirit, and their thirst for freedom. Pirates often sail the high seas in search of treasure, adventure, and new, uncharted horizons. They are fearless and always ready to welcome the next challenge and adventure. Pirates can inspire us to be more adventurous and brave in our lives and to explore new places (both physically and in our imaginations).

Pirates are loyal

Pirates are known for their loyalty to their crewmates. A pirate’s crew was like a family – they often formed close-knit communities onboard their ships, as they had to rely on each other to survive. They would do anything to protect their ship and their crew, even if it meant risking their own lives, and for this, pirates can inspire in us the values of loyalty and camaraderie.

Pirates are rebellious

Pirates stood for many things, some good and some bad. On the one hand, they embody freedom and rebellion, often being portrayed as swashbuckling heroes who stand up to and fight against the established powers of their time. Pirates often live outside the law, and they don’t follow the rules of society, seeing themselves as champions of the common people, who are fighting against tyranny and oppression. They are rebels who do things their way and don’t let anyone else tell them what to do. But on the other hand, pirates are also known for their violent and ruthless behavior. They would often attack and rob innocent ships, taking whatever they wanted by force. This duality of good and evil makes pirates complex and interesting characters in stories. Plus, who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt?

Each voice, one vote

In a time when sailors were overworked, underpaid, and even starved or beaten on their ships, pirates were known for their democratic approach to decision-making, where every crew member had a say in important matters. “Every man has a vote in affairs of moment”, is written as the first article in Bartholomew Roberts’ Pirate Code, one of the most successful pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy.

”No prey, no pay”

Not all pirate raids were successful, but when they were, the treasure was shared in accordance with the hierarchy on board the pirate ship. On Bartholomew Roberts’ ship, for example, the captain and the quartermaster were to receive two shares of the prize, while the master, the boatswain, and the gunner, one share and a half. The “other officers” had one share and a quarter, while the pirates with only one or two years of experience in piracy, were to receive only one share of the booty.

Anne Bonny: Anne was an Irish pirate who dressed and acted like a man while sailing in the Caribbean with Captain Calico Jack Rackham in the early 18th century. She was known for her fierce temper and her ability to fight alongside the men.

Mary Read: Mary was an English pirate, also known under the name Mark Read. She was also wearing men’s clothes and was operating, along with Anne Bonny, on Calico Jack’s ship.

Did You Know?

• The famous pirate flag – the Jolly Roger – was actually just one of the many designs used by pirates. It wasn’t until the 1700s that the Jolly Roger became the most popular pirate flag design.
• Pirates didn’t actually bury their treasure. Typically, they spent their loot as quickly as possible or stashed it in secret locations.
• Pirates used to wear eye patches not because they had lost an eye, but because it helped them see better in the dark. They also believed that piercing their ears would improve their eyesight.

But with what exactly should you start when envisioning and creating your own pirate character? Well, a good idea might be to simply start with a catchy name. One that is memorable and fits well their personality. Any good ideas so far? It could be your own name, what do you think?

Now that we are talking about appearance, is your pirate character a male or a female? What do they wear? What accessories do they have? Do they have any distinguishing features, such as a scar or a missing limb? Are they tall, or maybe short? Do they maybe have a pet as a companion? Every little detail counts. Details make the difference! And ask yourself, how is their external perceived by the other characters in your story? Are they maybe fearsome as Blackbeard? Your character, your choice!

Think also about their backstory, to better understand your character and make them more believable. What led them to a life of piracy? Were they a sailor who was forced into piracy, or did they choose this life for themselves? Do they still have any personal connections to the world they left behind?

Observe your pirate’s world with your imagination’s eyes. Sketch even a rudimentary map of this world. Can you see your pirate’s ship in the midst of the ocean? What does it look like? Is it large and well-armed with cannon, or maybe smaller and agile? And where on the map is your character’s pirate nest? What kind of ships is he after and where on the sea can one run into him? Put yourself as many questions as possible, until your pirate character feels alive! Once you have a clear sense of who your pirate is, start writing their story and make sure to include also thrilling adventures and difficulties on their paths.

Avast, me hearties! Are ye ready to create yer own swashbuckling pirate character and embark on a high seas adventure? Then hoist the Jolly Roger and grab yer quill and parchment!