Pirates Facts for Kids
Swashbuckling facts about real pirates
The skull-and-crossbones pirate flag is called a "Jolly Roger" — no one knows for certain where the name came from.
Most real pirates in history did not bury their treasure — they spent it as quickly as possible on food, drink, and supplies.
The idea that pirates wore eye patches to keep one eye adjusted to the dark below deck is a popular modern theory, but has no historical evidence. Most pirates who wore patches were simply covering an injured or lost eye.
Blackbeard's real name was most likely Edward Thatch (also written Thache) — though "Teach" is more commonly used today. He wove slow-burning fuses into his beard to create smoke during battle and terrify his enemies.
Many pirate ships were run democratically — the crew voted on major decisions and plunder was divided according to an agreed set of rules.
Female pirates did exist — Anne Bonny and Mary Read were infamous pirates in the Caribbean in the early 18th century.
The word "buccaneer" comes from the French word "boucanier," meaning someone who smokes or dries meat on a wooden frame.
The most successful pirate in history was Ching Shih, a Chinese woman who commanded a fleet of over 1,800 ships and 80,000 sailors.
The golden age of piracy lasted roughly from 1650 to 1730, when pirates roamed the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean.
Pirates had a surprisingly organised welfare system — injured crew members received compensation payments from the ship's shared fund.