I thought it fitting to begin 2026 by embracing my inner pirate. Though the average age of a pirate during the "Golden Age of Piracy -- 1650-1730" was around 27 or 28. A pirate captain or quartermaster might have been in their 30s or early 40s. It was rare to see a pirate over the age of 40 or 50 because it was a hard life that rarely lasted to retirement.
So of the more famous pirates were a bit older. Blackbeard was 38. Henry Morgan was a ripe old 53. Apparently he actually did retire and died of natural causes.
I think we (I) romanticize pirates a great deal as being rebels who partied on Caribbean islands and buried lots of treasures. Apparently pirates lived by Pirate Codes that were pretty close to democracy in a time of Kings and dictators. Crews elected their Captain and Quartermaster and the Captain only had absolute power during battle. Other decisions were decided by group vote. Whereas Navy sailors got a tiny wage, pirates divided loot they captured into shares and everyone but the Captain and Quartermaster got an even share. They also had their own version of health insurance. If you lost a limb, eye or finger, you got paid extra loot to compensate. Pirate code also didn't allow gambling or women and you had to be in bed by 8 p.m.
Changes your whole perspective on pirates, now doesn't it?
Considering what is going on with the Federal government right now, I think we all could use some Pirate spirit.
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