The pirates' code : laws and life aboard ship /Rebecca Simon.

"Pirates have long captured our imagination with images of cutlass-wielding swashbucklers, eye patches, and buried treasure. But what was life really like on a pirate ship? Piracy was a risky, sometimes deadly occupation, and strict orders were essential for everyone's survival. These 'Laws' were sets of rules that determined everything from how much each pirate earned from their plunder to compensation for injuries, punishments, and even the entertainment allowed on ships. These rules became known as the 'Pirates' Code', which all pirates had to publicly swear by. Using primary sources such as eyewitness accounts, trial proceedings, and maritime logs, The Pirates' Code explains how the rules followed by these outlaws were key to pirates' success in battle, both at sea and on land."--Provided by the poublisher.