Contrary to popular belief, most pirates lived by strict rules. Here are a few examples:
“Every man has a vote in affairs of moment; has equal title to the fresh provisions, or strong liquors, and may use them at pleasure.”
“Every man to be called fairly in turn, on board of prizes. But if they defraud the company to the value of a dollar… marooning is their punishment.”
“No person to game at cards or dice for money.”
“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.”
“No striking one another on board, but every man’s quarrels to be ended on shore, at sword and pistol.”
“No boy or woman to be allowed among them.”
“If any man be found seducing any of the latter sex, and carried her to sea, disguised, he is to suffer death.”
“Desert the ship or quarters in battle is punished with death or marooning.”
“To keep their piece, pistols and cutlass clean and fit for service.”
“No man to talk of breaking up their way of living, till each had shared one thousand pounds.”
“The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath Day, but the other six days and nights, none without special favour.”