Articles of Bartholomew
Roberts (Early 1700s)
Bartholomew Roberts was one of the most
successful Pirate Captains during the "Golden Age of Piracy." The
following articles set the basic rules for his crews, and were
widely influential with other pirate crews of the era.
I. Every man has a vote in affairs of moment; has equal title to the
fresh provisions, or strong liquors, at any time seized, and may use
them at pleasure, unless a scarcity (not an uncommon thing among
them) makes it necessary, for the good of all, to vote a
retrenchment.
II. Every man to be called fairly in turn, by list, on board of
prizes because, (over and above their proper share) they were on
these occasions allowed a shift of clothes: but if they defrauded
the company to the value of a dollar in plate, jewels, or money,
marooning was their punishment. If the robbery was only betwixt one
another, they contented themselves with slitting the ears and nose
of him that was guilty, and set him on shore, not in an uninhabited
place, but somewhere, where he was sure to encounter hardships.
III. No person to game at cards or dice for money.
IV. The lights and candles to be put out at eight o'clock at night:
if any of the crew, after that hour still remained inclined for
drinking, they were to do it on the open deck.
V. To keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean and fit for
service.
VI. No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man were to
be found seducing any of the latter sex, and carried her to sea,
disguised, he was to suffer death; (so that when any fell into their
hands, as it chanced in the Onslow, they put a sentinel immediately
over her to prevent ill consequences from so dangerous an instrument
of division and quarrel; but then here lies the roguery; they
contend who shall be sentinel, which happens generally to one of the
greatest bullies, who, to secure the lady's virtue, will let none
lie with her but himself.)
VII. To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, was punished
with death or marooning.
VIII. No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrels to
be ended on shore, at sword and pistol. (The quarter-master of the
ship, when the parties will not come to any reconciliation,
accompanies them on shore with what assistance he thinks proper, and
turns the disputant back to back, at so many paces distance; at the
word of command, they turn and fire immediately (or else the piece
is knocked out of their hands). If both miss, they come to their
cutlasses, and then he is declared the victor who draws the first
blood.)
IX. No man to talk of breaking up their way of living, till each had
shared one thousand pounds [equivalent to £202,000 in 2023]. If in
order to this, any man should lose a limb, or become a cripple in
their service, he was to have eight hundred dollars, out of the
public stock, and for lesser hurts, proportionately.
X. The Captain and Quartermaster to receive two shares of a prize:
the master, boatswain, and gunner, one share and a half, and other
officers one and quarter.
XI. The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath Day, but the other six
days and nights, none without special favour.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate_code