Collection
World Culture
2026.08.12
The True Story of the Real Pirates Behind the Flags
A Collection of Historical Pirate Figures Sharing Legends and Records
What's more fascinating than the black flags and treasure maps is the context of the era when real pirates lived. As wars ended and privateering licenses disappeared, the management of colonial ports weakened, and trade ships carrying significant profits increased, maritime crime became more organized.
This list isn't limited to the Atlantic Golden Age; it also looks at recorded figures across the South China Sea and Ireland. This collection aims to view pirates not just as romantic adventurers, but also to consider the violence of imperial competition and maritime trade at the time. When one distinguishes between confirmed records and legends added later, familiar pirate stories can be seen in a completely different light. The criterion for this list is to not just consume pirates as romantic adventurers, but also to look at the violence of imperial competition and maritime trade during that era.
Blackbeard (Edward Teach)
Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard, was active in the Caribbean and off the North American coast from 1717 to 1718, commanding the Queen Anne's Revenge. His use of lit fuses and a fearsome beard became symbolic of psychological warfare, aimed at forcing surrender without fighting. While his death in the Battle of Ocracoke is well-documented, some images widely associated with his flag are controversial regarding their origins. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only his notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 1717~1718년 전후
읽을 포인트 불붙인 심지와 수염을 활용한 공포 연출은 싸우지 않고 항복을 받아내려는 심리전의 상징으로 남았다.
Bartholomew Roberts
Bartholomew Roberts, known as 'Black Bart,' was a Welsh pirate who captured numerous ships from 1719 to 1722 on both sides of the Atlantic. His fleet operations, repeated flagship naming, and strict onboard regulations make him a key figure in the study of Golden Age piracy. Since the number of ships he captured varies widely in literature, it may be better to focus on his operational range and his last encounter with the British Navy rather than exact numbers. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only his notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 1719~1722년 전후
읽을 포인트 선단 운영과 반복된 기함 명명, 엄격한 선상 규약 때문에 황금시대 해적 조직을 살피는 핵심 인물이다.
Henry Avery
Henry Every was a British pirate involved in the capture of the Mughal Empire's treasure ship, the Ganj-i-Sawai, in 1695, attracting international attention. After a massive plunder, he disappeared without being captured, creating the legend of a 'successful and retired pirate.' His story is a case where the narrative should not just focus on treasure without acknowledging the brutal acts and records of the victims during the plundering. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only his notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 1695년 전후
읽을 포인트 막대한 약탈 뒤 체포되지 않은 채 사라져 ‘성공하고 은퇴한 해적’이라는 전설을 만들었다.
Anne Bonny
Anne Bonny was active on the ship of Calico Jack Rackham in 1720 before being captured near Jamaica. Along with Mary Read, she showcases the real presence of female pirates in a male-dominated maritime history, although there are many gaps in her life. Much of her birth and post-release life relies on later biographies, making it essential to differentiate between confirmed trial records and legends. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only her notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 1720년 전후
읽을 포인트 메리 리드와 함께 남성 중심 해양사에서 여성 해적의 실제 존재를 보여 주지만 생애의 공백도 많다.
Mary Read
Mary Read joined Rackham's fleet after serving as a soldier and sailor, and became a pirate who died in a Jamaican prison after being captured in 1720. Testimonies from her trial reveal that she fought alongside Anne Bonny, prompting reflections on gender, attire, and labor at the time. The notion that she always disguised herself is an oversimplification, and there are accounts indicating different attires during combat and normal circumstances. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only her notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 군인과 선원 생활을 거쳐 래컴 선단에 합류했고 1720년 전후
읽을 포인트 앤 보니와 함께 싸웠다는 재판 증언이 남아 당시 성별·복장·노동의 경계를 생각하게 한다.
John Rackham (Calico Jack)
John Rackham, known as Calico Jack, gained his nickname from his colorful calico clothing and was a pirate operating in the Bahamas alongside Anne Bonny and Mary Read. His legacy persists in popular culture due to his interpersonal relationships and the trial records from 1720 rather than just his formidable fleet. Although he is known as a representative figure of the skull and crossed swords flag, one should approach the evidence for such attributions with caution. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only his notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 근세 해양사
읽을 포인트 강력한 선단보다 인물 관계와 1720년 재판 기록 때문에 대중문화에 오래 남았다.
Samuel Bellamy
Samuel Bellamy, known as 'Black Sam,' was a young captain who sank with the Whydah Gally off Cape Cod in 1717. The shipwreck excavation has revealed coins, weapons, and household items, offering a rare opportunity to compare the legend with tangible materials. His Robin Hood-like image, caring for the common people, is alluring, but he was also part of a violent, predatory economy. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only his notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 1717년 전후
읽을 포인트 난파선 발굴로 동전·무기·생활도구가 확인되어 전설을 물질 자료와 비교할 수 있는 드문 사례다.
Steed Bonnet
Stede Bonnet was an unusual case of a wealthy landowner from Barbados who bought a ship to become a pirate. His lack of sailing experience and connections to Blackbeard contributed to his nickname as the 'Gentleman Pirate.' This alias can dilute the reality of his crimes, and it is important to consider his eventual execution in Charleston in 1718. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only his notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 근세 해양사
읽을 포인트 항해 경험이 부족한 채 검은수염과 얽힌 행적 때문에 ‘신사 해적’이라는 별칭이 붙었다.
Madame Cheng I Sao
Zheng Yisao, also known as Madame Ching, led a large pirate confederation in the South China Sea in the early 19th century and negotiated with the Qing government to organize her power. She managed the discipline and finances of a fleet of hundreds of ships and helped to shift the narrative away from the Atlantic-centric view of piracy. The varying accounts of her Western name 'Ching Shih' and the scale of her fleet differ across sources, requiring contextualization with Chinese historical documents. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only her notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 근세 해양사
읽을 포인트 수백 척 규모 연맹의 규율과 재정, 지역 상업 네트워크를 운영해 대서양 중심 해적사에서 벗어나게 한다.
Grace O'Malley
Grace O'Malley, also known as Granuaile, led the O'Malley family sea power off the west coast of Ireland in the 16th century and negotiated directly with Queen Elizabeth I. Her identities as a pirate, clan chieftain, and trader show the political implications of the criminal labels applied by the state. She should be understood not merely through the lens of Atlantic Golden Age piracy but within the context of the clan politics of Ireland and English expansion at the time. When considering the varying numbers in different records regarding years of activity and battles fought, it is preferable to examine whether trial records, colonial administrative documents, and contemporary sailing records have survived. Doing so allows for a deeper understanding of not only her notoriety but also the loss of jobs for sailors after the war, corruption in colonial ports, and the structures that fueled piracy within the Atlantic trade network.
활동 시대 근세 해양사
읽을 포인트 해적·씨족장·무역가라는 여러 정체성이 겹쳐 국가가 붙인 범죄자 명칭의 정치성을 보여 준다.
Since each figure overlaps identities as a pirate, privateer captain, and clan leader, it's challenging to apply today's classifications of criminals directly. Even Anne Bonny and Mary Read, for whose trials documents remain, have uncertain origins and later life events, while some of the images of Blackbeard have been exaggerated posthumously.
Thus, I have explained their certain actions, contentious stories, and the legends crafted by popular culture. This list focuses on understanding the harm they caused and the maritime order of the time rather than seeking to glamorize them. It is essential to distinguish between confirmed records and legends added later, as doing so can change the familiar pirate tales significantly. The criterion for this list is to not just consume pirates as romantic adventurers, but also to look at the violence of imperial competition and maritime trade during that era. When one distinguishes between confirmed records and legends added later, familiar pirate stories can be seen in a completely different light.
한눈에 보기
10개
Blackbeard (Edward Teach)
1717~1718년 전후 · 불붙인 심지와 수염을 활용한 공포 연출은 싸우지 않고 항복을 받아내려는 심리전의 상징으로 남았다.
Bartholomew Roberts
1719~1722년 전후 · 선단 운영과 반복된 기함 명명, 엄격한 선상 규약 때문에 황금시대 해적 조직을 살피는 핵심 인물이다.
Henry Avery
1695년 전후 · 막대한 약탈 뒤 체포되지 않은 채 사라져 ‘성공하고 은퇴한 해적’이라는 전설을 만들었다.
Anne Bonny
1720년 전후 · 메리 리드와 함께 남성 중심 해양사에서 여성 해적의 실제 존재를 보여 주지만 생애의 공백도 많다.
Mary Read
군인과 선원 생활을 거쳐 래컴 선단에 합류했고 1720년 전후 · 앤 보니와 함께 싸웠다는 재판 증언이 남아 당시 성별·복장·노동의 경계를 생각하게 한다.
John Rackham (Calico Jack)
근세 해양사 · 강력한 선단보다 인물 관계와 1720년 재판 기록 때문에 대중문화에 오래 남았다.
Samuel Bellamy
1717년 전후 · 난파선 발굴로 동전·무기·생활도구가 확인되어 전설을 물질 자료와 비교할 수 있는 드문 사례다.
Steed Bonnet
근세 해양사 · 항해 경험이 부족한 채 검은수염과 얽힌 행적 때문에 ‘신사 해적’이라는 별칭이 붙었다.
Madame Cheng I Sao
근세 해양사 · 수백 척 규모 연맹의 규율과 재정, 지역 상업 네트워크를 운영해 대서양 중심 해적사에서 벗어나게 한다.
Grace O'Malley
근세 해양사 · 해적·씨족장·무역가라는 여러 정체성이 겹쳐 국가가 붙인 범죄자 명칭의 정치성을 보여 준다.
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