Outlaw Pirates Also Had Laws

The pirates of various areas in the medieval era and its subsequent centuries would operate like an organization. There is no doubt that the pirate costumes were highly disorganized, but their way of living was too organized that sometimes we get confused while reading about them, whether we are reading about the raiders or an authorized organization.

The pirate crews had their set or rules, which they were bound to follow. If someone does not follow them, then he/she might be the subject of punishment or execution. Different crews had distinct codes of conduct. Many of these crews would run under a democracy also. The person who would be a fierce fighter was elected as the captain. On the other hand, quartermaster was also decided through the election. If some problem would be found in the captain, then he might be expelled from his captaincy by the crew. Removal of Charles Vane from his captaincy for his cowardice and election of Calico Jack (John Rackham) is one of the best examples in this context.

Moreover, sometimes special compensation was offered to the raiders who were injured. There were some prohibitions also in many of the crews. For instance, gambling was banned as it would create the tension among different groups in the crew. Severe punishments were also given to the raiders on the punishable offence.

Some of the pirates started their new code of conducts, which presented their humanistic approach. We find the example of the famous Chinese female pirate Ching Shih, otherwise known as Zheng Yi Sao. She declared that anyone who would plunder the city which had already paid tribute (a form tax to the pirates), would be beheaded, and his head would be dumped in the ocean. Same treatment as declared for those who would steal from the treasury. Moreover, the rape of a female prisoner was also a severe offence that under her captaincy. She declared the same treatment for this, i.e., cutting off of head and dumping it into the ocean.

Such codes of conduct gave a distinct identity to the raiders. A number of people in the recent times seem to be influenced with these pirates of the previous eras. Some of these rules indicated that the freebooters were not as ruthless as they supposed to be. They also had the heart, and they would perform their activities under some rules and regulations. This may be one of the reasons why many of today’s people in the western world like to be a pirate for fun for some moments. If really want to make and look like a pirate or want costumes and clothes visit this website http://www.tobeapirate.com/