For some reason throughout history piracy has been romanticized, feared, and condemned.
At times the truth is far more exciting than the myths that surround it, especially when it comes to those female pirates who defied their gentle female lifestyle and went to lead fierce lives on the high seas.
Let’s look at the tales of a few women who dared to sail the pirate-infested waters and left their mark on history.
Queen Teuta of Illyria: A Monarch Turned Pirate
In the third century BC, Queen Teuta of Illyria joined the world of piracy after her husband, King Agron of the Ardiaei, passed away. As regent, she did more than a simple leadership role, she started orchestrating attacks on Roman and Greek ships, ruthlessly raiding coastal settlements, bringing fear across the Mediterranean. She wasn’t your usual pirate, you see she was a monarch and claimed she was really protecting her kingdom’s interests, which at the time the Roman Empire saw as a direct threat to its power. I’m not sure the settlements that were raided agreed with her, to them she was simply a pirate.
As a result, the Romans, called her a pirate, while, of course, to her people she was defending their sovereignty against foreign influence.
Unfortunately, it all came to an end in a dramatic way when finally, Rome retaliated and launched a campaign against Illyria that forced her into a one sided peace treaty.
Even so her legacy continued, as her stand against the power of Rome, inspired generations of women who saw in her a fearless leader who refused to bow to the massive power on her door step. She became a symbol of resistance, one that’s remembered long after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Ladgerda, the Legendary Viking Shieldmaiden
Let’s go back to the ninth century, and the rugged Scandinavian landscapes where Viking shieldmaidens, women trained in combat, took to both land and sea. Among these fierce female warriors was Ladgerda, a Danish pirate who become a legend. Married to the Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok, she wasn’t happy to play the role of a passive wife. In a daring battle, she saved Ragnar’s fleet from a warring tribe, a feat that proved her courage in a world where strength was currency.
However, Ladgerda’s legend became much darker. You see after rescuing her husband, Ragnar, she turned on him, she killed him with a hidden dagger, then took control of his followers. Whether her betrayal was motivated by revenge or ambition we don’t know, but whatever they were it ensured she had a place among the role of Viking warriors. The story of Ladgerda typifies the complex and often ambiguous nature of the world of the Vikings, a time of both fierce loyalty and deadly rivalries.
Jeanne de Clisson: The Lioness of Brittany
If we now go to the 14th century, at the time of the brutal Hundred Years’ War between England and France, we meet Jeanne de Clisson, a Breton noblewoman, who became a revenge fuelled pirate. She became known as “The Lioness of Brittany”.
Jeanne de Clisson’s tale began when the French King had her husband executed for treason. She didn’t agree with him, and she was so incensed, she swore to make France pay.
This she did for 13 years!
She terrorized French ships in the English Channel. Over time she was able to assemble a fleet, it included three warships painted black, while she named her flagship “My Revenge.” She had a crew that were totally loyal to her, which allowed her to ruthlessly attack French vessels, with the result that she got a terrifying reputation.
Jeanne’s story highlights how personal vendettas and state politics could blur the lines of piracy, with the result that she remains a symbol of unwavering loyalty and fierce independence.
Sayyida al-Hurra: The Queen of Tétouan
If we now go to the 16th century, we meet another woman pirate Sayyida al-Hurra who reigned over Tetuán in northern Morocco and dominated the western Mediterranean. Her name translates into “Lady who is free and independent,” which reflects her obstinate spirit and refusal to bow to any rule but her own. She worked alongside the notorious pirate Oruç Reis, governor of Algiers, they launched successful raids on Spanish and Portuguese ships, challenging European forces that she claimed threatened her people.
What sets Sayyida apart is that even though she was a pirate she was also a ruler with diplomatic and political authority. She used this power as well as strategic groupings to establish a legacy as a skilled and independent leader.
Today, she is remembered as a revolutionary power in the world of Mediterranean piracy, a woman who refused to be held back by the traditions of her time.
Lady Mary Killigrew: The Elizabethan Pirate
Lady Mary Killigrew’s life is an example of duplicity in the world of Elizabethan piracy, where loyalty to the crown was basically a requirement for a successful pirate.
As the daughter of Lord Phillip Wolverton, a former pirate, and the wife of Sir Henry Killigrew, a Vice-Admiral turned pirate, Mary understood the ways of the sea. She supported her husband’s piracy to such an extend that she even redesigned their home to hide stolen treasures while making secret deals with smugglers.
Mary was notorious for raiding ships and masterminding smuggling operations, all under the cloak of nobility. Her cunning and boldness allowed her to steer through the political waters of the Elizabethan age.
She’s remembered as a figure who embraced the lawless life of a pirate while maintaining the status of a noblewoman.
Grace O’Malley: The Pirate Queen of Ireland
Grace O’Malley, grew up as the daughter of an Irish chieftain in the 16th century, where she learned how to navigate the waves and defend her territory from both English forces and more importantly the rival clans. Known as the “Pirate Queen,” Grace took to the seas, commanding ships and warriors with a fierce determination. As the English crown sought to strengthen control over Ireland, Grace forged alliances with Irish rebels and fortified her coastal strongholds.
One of Grace’s most famous meetings was with Queen Elizabeth I. Legend says that she met the English queen in person to negotiate the release of her sons, showing both her strategic judgement and her power. Grace O’Malley’s life shows the resilient spirit of Irish resistance and how piracy could be both a political tool and a means of survival in stormy times.
Ching Shih: The Red Flag Fleet Commander
Now we reach possibly the most successful pirate in history, Ching Shih.
She began her life in the lowly confines of a Cantonese brothel. She married Zheng Yi, a notorious pirate who commanded a powerful fleet known as “The Red Fleet.” When Zheng Yi died, Ching Shih didn’t just take over, she expanded the fleet. In the end she has more than 1,200 ships and tens of thousands of pirates. Her iron-fisted rule meant that she dominated the South China Sea and challenged not only local Chinese forces but also European shipping, especially Portuguese and British ships.
Ching Shih imposed strict codes of conduct and required total loyalty. Her reign ended when she did a deal with the Chinese government that allowing her to retire peacefully, a rare fate for a pirate.
She is remembered as a tactical genius who wielded her authority with a ruthless efficiency that few male pirates could match.
Now we come to Anne Bonny and Mary Read, about whom our sister site, Educational Musicals, have written our schools’ musical The Perfect Pirates – The Story of Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
Anne Bonny, the daughter of a respected plantation owner
She wanted for nothing, well, not really but she was spoilt by her stepfather, then around 1718 she married a sailor, James Bonny, however, he became a pirate and she moved with him to Nassau in the Bahamas, a sanctuary for pirates. It was there that she met Calico Jack Rackham, became his lover, then his pirate partner.
Mary Read
Was a lady who had a thirst for adventure and a fascination with the sea and seafaring men. Naturally, but only after she had joined the army, as a man! Then she ran away to sea, and eventually, after many adventures, landed at New Providence, where she also fell for Calico Jack.
The Perfect Pirates
Mary Read dressed as a man and became Calico Jack’s Lieutenant while Anne Bonny, also disguised as a man, was a fearsome member of his crew. Pretty quickly the crew realised they were women in disguise but accepted them as they both fought alongside Calico Jack as two fearsome pirates.
Eventually, in 1720, Captain Barnet on The Revenge caught up with them. Calico Jack and his men disappeared below decks to get drunk while Anne and Mary bravely held off Captain Barnet’s boarding party alone, expertly wielding heavy boarding axes.
In the end they were all put in irons and taken to Jamaica where they faced trial for piracy. Calico Jack was hanged for his crimes, along with his crew, but Anne and Mary escaped with their lives, as both women claimed to be pregnant and the law at the time prevented a pregnant woman from being hanged!
Now our sister site Educational Musicals has published for our year end show The Perfect Pirates – The Story of Anne Bonny and Mary Read which tells this story but forgets the ending! Just click on to The Perfect Pirates – The Story of Anne Bonny and Mary Read where you can read two pages of script and hear two of the songs.
Isn’t History fun?
10 questions to discuss:
- Beyond plunder: While the blog mentions raids and stolen goods, did these female pirates have any other motivations beyond financial gain? Did they fight for specific causes or against certain injustices?
- Image and Perception: How were these female pirates perceived by their contemporaries? Were they celebrated as heroes, feared as villains, or something in between? Did their image change over time or based on their actions?
- Challenges and Obstacles: Being female pirates must have presented unique challenges. What specific obstacles did they face, and how did they overcome them?
- Sisterhood and Rivalry: The blog mentions some pirates working together, like Ching Shih and Zheng Yi. Did female pirates ever form alliances or communities, or were there instances of rivalry and competition?
- Life Beyond Piracy: What happened to these female pirates after their pirating careers? Did they retire peacefully, face capture and punishment, or continue their adventurous lives in different ways?
- Historical Impact: Did the actions of these female pirates have any lasting impact on history, be it on maritime law, trade routes, or even cultural portrayals of pirates?
- Accuracy and Legacy: How much of what we know about these female pirates is based on historical fact versus romanticized legends? How does separating truth from fiction affect their legacy?
- Beyond Europe: The blog focuses on European pirates. Were there any notable female pirates from other parts of the world, and if so, what were their stories?
- Anne & Mary’s Uniqueness: What sets Anne Bonny and Mary Read apart from other female pirates, making them worthy of a dedicated musical? What specific aspects of their story captured your interest?
- Inspiration and Influence: What message do you hope your musical conveys about these female pirates and their experiences? How can their stories inspire audiences today?
For more information, please go to:
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Mary-Read-Pirate
http://www.thewayofthepirates.com/famous-pirates/anne-bonny/
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/were-there-female-pirates
© Tony Dalton