Anne Bonny and Mary Read: The Real-Life Pirate Queens
Early Lives and Legends
Anne Bonny was born in Ireland in 1698 to an attorney and his maid. She was raised as a boy to avoid scandal, but her true gender was eventually discovered. After marrying a sailor, she moved to the Bahamas, where she became a prostitute and pirate.
Mary Read was born in England around the same time. She was also raised as a boy, serving in the British army and Dutch navy before joining the pirates.
Joining Rackam’s Crew
Anne Bonny met Mary Read while serving on the ship of Captain John “Calico Jack” Rackam. Rackam was initially jealous of Anne’s relationship with Mary, but he eventually accepted her as a member of the crew.
Mary Read was a skilled and ruthless pirate, known for her profanity and aggression. She fought alongside Anne Bonny, wearing men’s clothing and wielding a machete and pistol.
Challenging Gender Norms
In a time when women were expected to be subservient, Anne Bonny and Mary Read defied gender norms. They proved that women could be just as capable and courageous as men in the dangerous world of piracy.
Their story challenged the traditional belief that women brought bad luck to ships. They demonstrated that women could be valuable members of a pirate crew, fighting side by side with their male counterparts.
The Final Battle and Capture
In October 1720, Rackam’s ship was attacked by a British sloop. Anne Bonny and Mary Read fought bravely, but they were eventually overpowered and taken prisoner.
Trial and Execution
Anne Bonny and Mary Read were found guilty of piracy and sentenced to hang. However, their executions were stayed because they were both pregnant.
Anne Bonny’s last words to Rackam were, “If you had fought like a man, you need not have been hung like a dog.”
Legacy
Anne Bonny and Mary Read remain iconic figures in pirate history. Their story has been told in books, movies, and television shows. They continue to inspire women and girls to break down barriers and defy expectations.
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