Pirates disliked rules and authority, almost all of them signed and followed some rules or articles of agreement for a voyage. Often the articles were sworn to over a Bible, sometimes over an axe, but everybody aboard had to swear to them. These rules were quite strict in their own way, here is a list I came up with.
1. The captain shall have two full shares [of booty ] , the quartermaster one and a half, and the doctor, gunner, boatswain, and master one and a quarter.
2. He that shall be found guilty of unlawfully taking up a weapon aboard the privateer, or any prize taken by us with intent to abuse or strike another of the company, shall suffer whatever punishment the captain and the majority of the company shall think fit.
3. He that shall be found guilty of cowardice in the time of the engagement shall suffer such punishment as the captain and the majority of the company shall think fit.
4. If any gold, jewels, silver, or other valuables be found aboard the prize [the captured ship] to the value of even one piece of eight, and the finder do not deliver it to the quartermaster within the space of 24 hours, he shall suffer such punishment as the captain and the majority of the company shall think fit.
5. He that shall be found guilty of defrauding another in gaming, even to the extent of one shilling only, shall suffer such punishment as the captain and the majority of the crew shall think fit.
6. He that shall have the misfortune to lose a limb in the time of engagement shall have the sum of £150, and shall remain with the company as he shall choose.
7. Good quarter [mercy] shall be given to all when called for.
8. He that first sights a sail that may prove a prize shall have the best pistol or other small arm aboard her as he may choose.
Here are some more rules,it just depends on what ship you were on and who the master was.
I. Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity may make it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.
II. Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. But if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels, or money, they shall be marooned. If any man rob another, he shall have his nose and ears slit and be put ashore where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.
III. None shall game for money, either with dice or cards.
IV. The lights and candles should be put out at eight at night, and if any of the crew desire to drink after that hour, they shall sit upon the open deck without lights.
V. Each man shall keep his piece, cutlass, and pistols at all times clean and ready for action.
VI. No boy or woman is to be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing any of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise, he shall suffer death.
VII. He that shall desert the ship or his quarters in time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning.
VIII. None shall strike another on board the ship. but every man's quarrel shall be ended on shore by sword or pistol in this manner. At the word of command from the quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If any man do not, the quartermaster shall knock the piece out of his hand. If both miss their aim, they shall take to their cutlasses, and he that draweth first blood shall be declared the victor.
IX. No man shall talk of breaking up their way of living till each has a share of £1,000. Every man who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have 800 pieces of eight from the common stock and for lesser hurts proportionately.
X. The captain and the quartermaster shall each receive two shares of a prize; the master gunner and boatswain, one and one half shares; all other officers, one and one quarter; and private gentlemen of fortune, one share each.
XI. The musicians shall have rest on the Sabbath Day only by right, on all other days by favor only.
Some articles even provided specific "workman's compensation" for men badly hurt in battle. One band stipulated that a pirate should get:
600 pieces of eight for loss of right arm; 500 pieces of eight for loss of left arm; 500 pieces of eight for loss of right leg; 400 pieces of eight for loss of left leg; 100 pieces of eight for loss of finger: 100 pieces of eight for loss of an eye; and 1,000 pieces of eight for loss of both eyes. "
