Reaktion Press has published The Pirates' Code: Laws and Life Aboard Ship, by Rebecca Simon (Santa Monica College). A description from the Press:
Pirates have long captured the imagination with images of cutlass-wielding swashbucklers, eye patches and buried treasure. But what was life really like on a pirate ship? Piracy was a risky, sometimes deadly occupation, and strict orders were essential for everyone’s survival. These ‘Laws’ were sets of rules that determined everything from how much each pirate earned from their plunder to compensation for injuries, punishments and even the entertainment allowed on ships. These rules became known as the ‘Pirates’ Code’, which all pirates had to publicly swear by.
Using primary sources such as eyewitness accounts, trial proceedings and maritime logs, this book explains how these codes were the key to pirates’ success in battle, both on sea and on land.
A sample of advance praise:
"A comprehensive and highly engaging study of the operations and everyday life at sea on pirate ships in the "Golden Age" of piracy. Using a wide range of archival material, Rebecca Simon has produced a meticulous examination of how pirate crews used "articles" to organise their ships and lives. An in-depth exploration of not only the most notorious pirates and their lesser-known brethren, but every aspect of pirate life from the motivations of men to turn to piracy, to how they shared out plunder and food, to discipline and health care for injured pirates. The Pirates' Code is a pleasure to read." -- Elaine Murphy
More information is available here. An interview with the author is available here, at New Books Network.
-- Karen Tani
