We may never know how many female pirates roamed the seas in the XVI
and XVII century. We do know that in order for a woman pirate to become a
successful rogue she had to disguise herself as a man. This was the
case because the piratical code usually forbade women pirate members on
board, and certainly precluded them – as was customary in those
centuries in general - from any combat role. Despite these oppressive
circumstances, we know women pirates found success on the high seas as
pirates. These pirate females were truly exceptional in their
determination and character to seek out their fortunes in what was a
very dangerous way of life in an exclusively male dominated occupation.
It should also be mentioned that to succeed on any ship, and especially
an undermanned pirate ship, pirate women had to display exceptional
strength, agility and physical stamina to earn a share of the gold
amongst the greedy pirates who would use any excuse to exclude a member
of the crew out of their plunder for incomplete ship work. A pirate
woman needed to be an exceptional actress and needed above average
intelligence in order to successfully outsmart her crafty vagabond
companions as to their sex. A female pirate, though often destitute and
without family or friends, nevertheless did not lack the courage or
ability necessary for a piratical career that was most certainly
reserved for men.
No matter what we think about the ethical and
moral side of XVI and XVII century piracy it was considered a very
profitable occupation with strong romantic appeal. Many pirates
plundered foreign merchant ships while legally protected by royal
authority. So it should be no wonder that strong women with an
entrepreneurial spirit were drawn to the piratical profession. Female
pirates were sometimes stronger in their determination and more
courageous than many of their male pirate shipmates.
Anne Bonny was considered a formidable fighter and sought after for her fighting prowess during the most daring pirate attacks.
Mary Reed
actively participated in ship boarding and hand to hand combat. Grace
O’Malley, a famous Irish woman pirate, - commanded three pirate ships
all with exclusively male crews.
Although female pirates were not
the first women to engage in soldiering (see Joan of Arc) women pirates
were clearly proving that despite immense psychological, legal and
physical obstacles they were able to lead the life they have chosen and
be equal or better than their male companions – piratical code
notwithstanding.
Info:WWW.PiratesInfo.Com
When u have a hard time,just laugh.( >.^)
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