*the aforementioned boucan grill was known as barbacoa in Haitian, which ultimately gives way to the term ‘barbecue’ in English. And lastly, the oft-romanticized term swashbuckler is derived from the sword-and-buckler men, better known as rodeleros (‘shield bearers’) in Spanish – and they were originally the expert infantrymen (sometimes forming Conquistador divisions) of the Spanish crown operating in the New World. Now, of course, the terms were also used interchangeably during the 17th-18th century, with occurrences of contracted privateers turning into full-fledged pirates for greater profitability (as was the case with Captain Kidd). As for the freebooters or the filibusters, these men were mostly French pirates who were known for using their petite flibotes (fly boats).Įssentially, these categories leave out the proverbial pirate – who for the most part operated independently and indiscriminately preyed on ships from various nations. They were often ‘semi-employed’ by the English to prey on Spanish vessels. As can be comprehended from the etymology, these men, mostly English and French stock (originally woodsmen), hailed from the West Indies – primarily based in Port Royal and Tortuga. Interestingly enough, a buccaneer was a special type of privateer, derived from French boucanier (‘a curer of wild meats’ or ‘a user of boucan – a native grill’).
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To that end, a privateer entailed an individual who was under contract (known as the Letter of Marque ) with a government, which allowed him to attack and plunder enemy vessels during times of conflict. However, when it comes to the history of pirates, privateers were actually somewhat different in their origins and scope of operation. Consequently, other terms like privateers, buccaneers, and even freebooters are used as synonymous elements for this broad categorization. Pirate as a term is often generalized to mean any renegade or non-national entities operating on the high seas. 2) Privateers, Buccaneers, and Pirates –īuccaneer of the Caribbean from Howard Pyle’s Book of Pirates. For example, the wreck of the famed Queen Anne’s Revenge (commanded by the infamous Blackbeard) has revealed various medical equipment, including a urethral syringe containing mercury that was used for treating syphilis, a porringer probably used for bloodletting, a tourniquet used for mitigating loss of blood during the painful amputation sessions, and other crafting items for potions and balms. However, in reality, pirates were probably more health-conscious and medically well-supplied. In that regard, our romanticized notions about them ironically also relate to their ill-kept physical state and boorish nature. Now while the aforementioned ‘doom and gloom’ statement might be a foil to the popular cultural depictions of the ‘swashbuckling’ pirates, we should also understand that under practical circumstances, the 17th-18th-century pirates operated like any other contemporary naval company. A pirate’s life was usually nasty, brutish, and short. Instead of a life of romantic glamor, with crews led by aristocratic swashbuckling heroes, the average pirate was a doomed man, lacking the education, abilities, and pragmatism to escape his inevitable fate. Historian Angus Konstam has this to say about the historical nature of pirates (in the book Pirates 1660 – 1730 ). 1) Beyond the ‘Glamor’ of Swashbuckling – Source: DigitalVortex So without further ado, let us take a gander at ten things you should know about the 17th-18th-century Caribbean Pirates.
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But as is often the case in history, there was more to these pirates than what their boisterously spirited personas suggest. However, propelled by our popular culture, the very term ‘pirates’ brings forth reveries (to many of us) of the rambunctious 17th-18th-century Caribbean sailors and seamen who seemingly led their lives guided by the ‘pillars’ of adventure and freedom. For example, ancient Greek ships were plagued by the Mamertines of Sicily, while late medieval European vessels faced the scourge of the Barbary pirates of North Africa.
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Pirates and piracy have existed since the dawn of sailing.