Introduction

"O'er the glad waters of the dark−blue sea, Our thoughts as boundless, and our souls as free, Far as the breeze can bear, the billows foam, Survey our empire, and behold our home! These are our realms, no limits to their sway  Our flag the sceptre all who meet obey." 

- Lord Byron, The Corsair Canto I. 

The pirates and privateers of the Age of Sail cast a long shadow on contemporary popular culture; the exploits and adventures of famous figures such as “Calico” Jack Rackham and Edward “Blackbeard” Teach have been the inspiration for countless works of fiction and film. But our understanding of these legendary figures is governed by the descriptions that were created during their own era. This site explores the sources that helped create the great pirate legends, showing them through the lens of the observers who first transcribed them.