Fierce & Female – The Role of Women in the Male-Dominated Pirate World 

When we conjure up images of pirates, we often picture a fearsome man with a thick beard holding a sword. We imagine a parrot on his shoulder, with possibly an eye patch or missing limb, living a life of rebellion at sea on their own terms. It’s not often we picture a female pirate at the helm or even on board a pirate vessel. Why is that? Is this depiction accurate? 

Let’s answer some fundamental questions about the role of women during the Golden Age of Piracy and how societal pressure played into these situations. 

Were there any Women Pirates? 

Let’s set the record straight right off the bat. Yes, there were female pirates, especially during the Golden Age of Piracy (1650-1730). 

While the vast majority of pirates were men, there are about 100 well-known female pirates in history. We say “known” because many female pirates disguised themselves as men during their time at sea. Some female pirates may never have been discovered and will live in the annals of history misidentified as men. 

Among the 100 or so women pirates known around the world, about 40 or so of them were famous during the Golden Age of Piracy, a time when a large number of pirates ruled the trade routes across the globe including routes from Asia to Africa, Africa to the British Colonies in the New World and all along the western European coastline. 

What Roles Did Women Have Within the World of Pirates? 

Indeed, piracy was primarily a masculine-gendered career, but women could be found in every nook and cranny of the business. For instance, many females were pirate captains who led their vessels with an iron fist. Some female pirates commanded pirate fleets of many ships. 

Beyond leading pirate vessels on the open waters, women also played secondary roles in the business as well. For instance, some women worked as smugglers who would inform pirate crews of potential booty and help them smuggle it aboard their ships. Others played the roles of tavern keepers who would cater to pirates when they came ashore. Still, others provided housing, transportation, financing through connected patrons, recruitment and safe havens. Some were even prostitutes serving the needs of the seafarers at each port town. Bonny & Read – Two Female Pirates 

Anne Bonny and Mary Read are two of the most famous female pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy who made names for themselves along the Western European coast and in the Caribbean. 

Anne Bonny, a native of Ireland, earned her infamy as a pirate in the Caribbean when she sailed away with her lover John Rackham, also known as Calico Jack. She fought courageously alongside her man and was known to be a great shot with a pistol. They pillaged and plundered throughout the Caribbean and eventually had a child together.

One of her pirate contemporaries and comrades on the sea, Mary Read, joined the pirate world after her husband died and she needed to find gainful employment. She quickly fell in love with a mariner onboard her vessel and was eventually captured by another pirate crew who happened to be led by Bonny and Calico Jack. 

The two women dressed as men during their battles and women during times of peace. They shattered stereotypes of the time as they were known for being fierce fighters and loyal shipmates. 

To learn more about the role of women in the world of piracy visit Real Pirates Salem. Check out our maritime history and take a close look at the findings at the site of the sunken pirate ship The Whydah.