But are these depictions of pirates based on reality? Was there really an X on the map, buried treasure, a black flag with a skull and crossbones flapping in the wind? Did duels to the death really take place between naval authorities and these wild men of the seas? It turns out yes. read more
Perhaps the best-known pirate of the buccaneering era, Henry Morgan once purportedly ordered his men to lock the inhabitants of Puerto Príncipe, Cuba, inside a church so that they could plunder the town unhindered. read more
Breverton, Terry (2003) The Book of Welsh Pirates and Buccaneers. Glyndwr Publishing. ISBN 1-903529-09-3; Cooke, Edward (1712) A Voyage to the South Sea and Round the World. 3 vols. Lintot, London; Ellms, Charles (1837) The Pirate's Own Book: Authentic Narratives of the Most Celebrated Sea Robbers. read more
For more pirate adventures, check out Yosomono at the Gaijinass website or follow him on Twitter @Gaijinass. For more badasses you may have forgotten about, check out The Badass Roots of 5 Sissy Dogs and 6 Real People With Secret Identities Nobody Saw Coming. read more