I just returned from a cruise in the Bahamas and while there, I became fascinated with the many tales of one of the few female pirates ever to grace the pages of history. While I don’t agree with her choice of lifestyle, I certainly admire her abilities, her stamina, and her courage at a time when women were looked upon as little more than bed-warmers and child-bearers.
So for good or bad, here’s what little is known about her.
Born in the late 17th century in Kinsale, Ireland, the illegitimate daughter of a maid and a wealthy lawyer, Anne Bonny, one of history’s most infamous female pirates, is portrayed by historians as a woman who rebelled against a male-dominated society in one of the strangest ways imaginable. Whatever her reasoning for taking to a life of piracy, she earned a place in history as one who robbed, killed in cold blood, captured ships, captained ships, and reeked havoc throughout the Carribean for many years.
After her unwed parents ran off to South Carolina and set up a life in the plantation society of America’s south, Anne became enthralled with the tales of pirates that circulated through Charleston society. It was there that she met and married a less than distinguished pirate, James Bonny. The newlyweds moved to the unofficial capital of piracy at the time, New Providence, Nassau.
In Nassau, Anne met Calico Jack Rackham, who is reputed to have invented the flag that became forever associated with pirates – the skull and crossbones. Quite taken with Calico Jack, Anne left her husband to join Jack on his ship. But she was not the only female in Jack’s crew, despite the pirate code that no woman would serve on a pirate vessel. Disguised as a man, Anne soon became good friends with her counterpart, Mary Read. Their disguises remained impenetrable for nearly a year. Then Anne became pregnant. After giving birth to the child in Cuba, she returned to Jack’s ship, leaving the child behind.
Men under the command of Bahamian Governor Woodes Rogers captured Calico Jack’s ship in 1720 and took Jack, Mary and Anne captive. During the fight, Jack hid below decks while, despite both being pregnant, Mary and Anne fought off Rogers’ men. Jack was hanged but not before Anne told him “I’m sorry to see you here, Jack, but if you’d have fought like a man you needn’t hang like a dog.” Mary and Anne obtained a stay of execution by “pleading their bellies.”
Mary was to be hung, after she had her child, but before could be executed, she died of a fever in jail. Anne’s execution was also delayed until she gave birth. No record exist of what happened to Anne after that. Some historians claim she went back to her father in Charleston. Some say she resumed her life with James Bonny. Some say she went back to pillaging on the high seas.
Whatever she did, she led a life none of us would have chosen, but all of us envy for its freedom of will. Outstanding? Probably not. Courageous? Definitely.
Blessings,
Diva Elizabeth
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