"The Captain"
Perhaps the greatest misconception about pirates is that the typical captain was a tyrant who ruled his crew with an iron fist.
Pirates hated the hierarchy, oppression and harsh discipline of service about naval and merchant vessels. Instead, they governed themselves democratically, “one man, one vote” by majority rule. They were quick to protest any infringement on their freedom, and the powers of their captains and officers were therefore strictly limited.
The pirate captain’s authority was supreme only in battle—otherwise he had little formal authority, and even fewer privileges. He was allowed an extra share of treasure taken, and was also given his own cabin—although anyone had the right to enter it at any time!
Pirate captains also had great influence in the councils of the crew. In that respect, Samuel Bellamy indeed was the leader most responsible for a successful voyage.
To that end, we have included various forms of currency under The Captain’s purview—as well as certain other artifacts that were especially important to the crew as a whole.CLICK TO VIEW ARTIFACTS:
Akan Ornaments
Coins
Ingots
The Bell
The Masonic Plate
Gold Scales
Illustration by Howard Pyle