What do you think of when you hear the word ‘pirate?’

You might imagine men who sail the high seas to rob and loot any ships that cross their path. After burying chests of gold in a secret location…they splash the rest of their cash in taverns on booze and women. With a groggy hangover, they return to their ship to continue their plundering.

But is there much historical truth in this idea of piracy? What’s the difference between a pirate, a buccaneer and a privateer? When did this age of piracy happen?

In this video Luke Tomes explores the Golden Age of Piracy - interrogating the myths, and uncovering what a life at sea was really like. Who were the famous real pirates? Was Blackbeard really that terrifying? Were pirates always drunk? Were females allowed to be pirates?