Beyond the myths: What was life actually like during the Golden Age of Piracy?

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Historian Luke Tomes investigates the reality of 17th and 18th-century piracy. By exploring a replica Spanish galleon, examining rare historical artifacts, and testing period-accurate weaponry, he separates the romanticized legends from the harsh conditions faced by sailors during this era.

The Golden Age of Piracy, spanning the late 17th and early 18th centuries, was deeply rooted in the maritime trade systems of the time. To understand the environment that birthed these figures, Luke Tomes examines the living conditions on a 17th-century Spanish galleon replica.

The investigation draws on 'A General History of Pyrates,' a seminal 1724 text by Captain Charles Johnson. This work provided early accounts of infamous pirates such as Blackbeard, Bartholomew Roberts, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read. The study concludes with practical tests of maritime weaponry at AC Sporting Targets in North London, demonstrating the tools used during raids at sea.

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