Database: Pirate Articles

Unlike merchant ships, navies, or even privateers, pirate crews did not serve under an authoritarian ship's captain who had the final word on ship's discipline. Instead, pirates enjoyed an informal form of democracy, electing their own captains and abiding by informal agreements known as "pirate articles" or articles of agreement.

These codes, whether written down or not, governed shipboard discipline, the election of a captain, and the division of treasure. Typically, each crewmate signed the ship's articles or at least made their "mark" and swore to uphold the agreements. Those found guilty of various offenses by their peers could be marooned, keel-hauled, or even tossed into the sea.