ANNE BONNY AND MARY READ

The world of the pirate was almost exclusively male. There were a few exceptions, such as the Caribbean pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny. Mary's mother brought her up as a boy, and at fourteen she ran away to sea. After many adventures, including a short­ lived marriage and a spell in the army, she went back to sea. She tried piracy, retired, and then became a privateer. The life of Anne Bonny was more straightforward. She married a sailor, but gave him up for the pirate "Calico Jack" Rackham. Calico Jack's fame rests on his ferocity, his marriage to Anne Bonny, and his brightly colored cotton (calico) clothes. Based on Providence Island, the loving couple made a living by raiding Spanish ships in the Caribbean.

For a time Anne Bonny and Mary Read joined forces. But in 1720 their ship was captured by the Royal Navy and the crew taken to Jamaica for trial. The case was clear cut and Calico Jack and the male crew were hanged. Anne Bonny and Mary Read disguised themselves as men because there was no place for women on board a pirate ship, however tough they might have been. Some of the domestic work on board might be done by a cabin boy. These were unfortunate young lads, either captured or pressed into pirate service, whose job was to fetch and carry for the crew.

Many pirates had wives, but they left them ashore. Captain Kidd had a wife and daughters in New York. James Plantain, "King of Ranter Bay" on the island of St Mary's, kept a whole harem of women. He dressed them in fine clothes and jewels, but kept them far from other men.

DEADLIER THAN THE MALE
Though few in number, there have always been female pirates, from Alwinda, who terrorized the Baltic in the Middle Ages, to the terrifying Ann Mills.
The 16th-century Irish pirate, Grace O'Malley, was known as "Grace of the Cropped Hair." O'Malley preyed on English shipping for 25 years until receiving a pardon from Elizabeth I in 1586.

Mary Read died of fever in prison and Anne Bonny vanished without a trace.