How to Be a Better Pirate Trivia Quiz

Answer: William Kidd

Born in the seventeenth century, William Kidd was originally a privateer but he ended up finding his true calling when he was sent by the British to Madagascar to capture pirates. His own crew threatened mutiny before he took control and opted to pillage and plunder instead.

His fatal move was to hijack a treasure ship. When he brought the treasure back to New York and claimed that it was originally possessed by the French, he was told it was owned by the British (specifically the East India Company).

He was accused of piracy and hanged for his crimes ... not once, but three times. Perhaps it is in a pirate's nature to be cocky, but it may also be a wise decision to hide the loot before you return it to its owner and claim it wasn't theirs to begin with.

Answer: Henry Morgan

Another 'privateer', Henry Morgan is probably most famous for burning down a great portion of Panama City during his reign as a pirate in the Caribbean. Born in Wales in the 1630s, he became a major figure in Jamaica, acting as Lieutenant Governor of the island three separate times in the 1670s and 1680s.

He passed away in 1688 but left behind a legacy of raids and attacks on Spanish cities throughout the Spanish Main. Returning to England he was put on trial but, in a twist, he was knighted. He spent the remainder of his life in Jamaica. To be a successful pirate, leave a legacy! This guy was knighted and became an icon in the alcohol industry.

His tendency to enjoy alcohol is well-remembered-- he's the pirate Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum is named after.

Answer: Black Bart

Bartholomew Roberts, later known to historians as Black Bart, was one of the most accomplished pirates on the high seas and was responsible for plundering nearly five hundred ships during his career in piracy. Despite this, Bart was known for being a fairly sensible individual; he was a devout Christian, dressed nicely, and did not indulge in alcohol.

After raiding all along the western Atlantic Coast as far north as Newfoundland and as far south as Brazil, Bart was shot in the neck aboard the HMS Swallow in 1722. Hey, if you're going to be a good pirate, follow this guy's example.

He took in one of the greatest hauls of any pirate out there.

Answer: Blackbeard

Blackbeard was supposedly born in England but turned to piracy in the 1710s, traveling to the West Indies and taking control of a series of ships before claiming La Concorde as his own and renaming it Queen Anne's Revenge. His attacks continued all the way up along the American coast (before it became America) and he inevitably returned to Britain where he went on trial.

After being pardoned he returned to piracy and died during a battle in 1718-- he amassed hundreds of followers in that time. To become a great pirate, maybe you need a large beard! Blackbeard was named such for a good reason-- his beard was most definitely his most-defining feature.

Answer: Jack Rackham

Jack Rackham, better known in the pirate world as 'Calico Jack', was only active for a few years in the Caribbean, but he ended up shaping some of the motifs we've come to recognize as part of pirate lore. The Jolly Roger, the black flag featuring the skull and crossbones, was his idea, though earlier versions featured two cutlasses instead of crossbones. Jack Rackham was also known for his affair with Anne Bonny who allegedly mothered his child.

It was this claim that spared her from hanging.

He wasn't spared though; he was found guilty of piracy in 1720 while she disappeared. To become a great pirate maybe it's best that you insert a few staple items into the culture. Make the motifs your own!

Answer: Aruj

Aruj, better known to the rest of the world as Redbeard (or Barbarossa), took up piracy much closer to his home in the Ottoman Empire-- no Caribbean for this one. He was a terrifying figure in the Mediterranean and the Aegean Seas. His goal was to liberate refugees in Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East though many of his plans ended up resulting in raids, plundering, and piracy.

At one point his journey took him to Algiers; he took control and became the Sultan, ultimately reshaping that portion of the world by allowing Ottoman rule to take over. Why not take control if you want to be a better pirate? It certainly makes you more reputable!

Answer: Jean Lafitte

Jean Lafitte, born of French background, worked with his brother, Pierre, to smuggle and plunder their findings in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. Using his knowledge of the seas, he was not tried for piracy. Instead, he used what he knew to warn the U.S. President of an upcoming attack on New Orleans and was able to spur preparation. Following this he returned to the pirate's life on the high seas...don't they all? After his death, his name became associated with Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Louisiana. Maybe the best way to be a better pirate is to simply side with whoever will keep you alive; sometimes it's best to play into the good side of things.

Answer: William Dampier

Born in England in 1651, Dampier was a man of the sea through and through. He played a big role in the early days of Australia and wrote books about his travels. He also became the first man to travel around the world by boat three times over making him quite well-traveled. What many were not aware of until years after his death was his tenure with Captain Bartholomew Sharp, a pirate from the Spanish Main. Together they captured and plundered several ships in the south end of the Caribbean. He passed away in 1715 at the conclusion of his third circumnavigation. Let it be heard-- to be a good pirate, stay below the radar. Let your great accomplishments remain known and keep the dark stuff under wraps!

Answer: Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake, while an important figure in terms of British navigation and service to Britain in the 16th century, was also a great antagonist to the Spanish who certainly had the immense bounty on his head. His raids in the Dominican Republic, Columbia, and Florida crippled the Spanish during wartimes in the late 16th century. He passed away while trying to claim Puerto Rico for the British.
Being a pirate, perhaps, means that you're always an enemy to somebody. You can be a noble hero to your country and still be a pirate.

Answer: Henry Every

Every was a smart pirate; he walked away from his career after a very short time (only two years on the sea) but he took with him the greatest amount of profit without being tried for his crimes of piracy. Considered the greatest pirate who lived for this reason, he plundered ships in the Indian Ocean including a fleet headed to Mecca, loaded with religious relics and gold. Every became one of the few members of his own crew never to be captured-- he always eluded authorities. It is unknown where he passed away.
Presumably it was on a pile of loot.
It seems that being a good pirate means knowing when to hold back.