Are you someone who is curious to learn in detail about pirates? If yes, do you remember the golden age of piracy? It was the period starting from the 17th century till the 18th century. This period witnessed the peak of piracy. And Pirate flags symbolized death and violence. In our article, we will discuss about 10 pirate flags that were quite famous during that period.

Pirate Flags

1. Francis Spriggs/Edward Low Pirate Flag

Spriggs’ flag was among the earliest ones to be called a Jolly Roger. However, it’s quite different from the typical pirate flags that are famous today. The flag had a red skeleton on a black background. Do you know that this design wasn’t actually Spriggs’ idea? It was borrowed from one of Spriggs’ former pirate companions named Edward Low.

Nobody knows exactly when Spriggs started his pirate career, but by Christmas of 1724, he had parted ways with Low. After their split, Spriggs took control of his own ship, the Delight, and headed to the Caribbean. His pirating activities continued at least until April of 1725. During this time, he released some of the crew members he had captured on Roatan Island, located off the northern coast of Honduras.

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Image Source: Wikimedia

2. Stede Bonnet Pirate Flag

This flag is often attributed to Bonnet. It is believed to show a skull above a long horizontal bone and is positioned between a heart and a dagger. However, there is no original historical evidence that confirms this design as his actual flag. The earliest source mentioning this flag comes from an unknown manuscript without a clear or specific date.

It was given to the Maritime Museum of Britain in 1939. According to sources from Bonnet’s time, he was documented to have flown either a dark red flag or one featuring a death’s head. If it turns out that Bonnet truly used the flag that is commonly linked with him in popular culture, it would have conveyed a straightforward message. The heart and dagger represent the balance between life and death.

Image Source: Wikimedia

3. John Quelch Pirate Flag

John Quelch’s flag stands apart when discussing pirate flags. Do you know why? It is due to its unique nature. The flag was actually the national flag of England. Before embarking on his piracy journey, Quelch served as a lieutenant on the English privateer ship Charles. It was in 1703, that a mutiny occurred on the ship, resulting in Quelch being chosen as the new captain. Upon assuming command, Quelch directed the ship towards the Portuguese colony of Brazil.

When the crew returned to their starting port, they had amassed goods worth over £10,000, which is roughly equivalent to $2,416,024 today. However, Quelch’s actions against the Portuguese were considered illegitimate as they were not valid targets for piracy. Consequently, he was arrested and sentenced to an Admiralty trial in America. This legal proceeding led to Quelch’s execution by hanging on June 30, 1704, in Boston.

Image Source: Wikimedia

4. “Calico Jack” Rackham

Rackham gained his fame through his depiction in the Starz TV series “Black Sails” and the video game “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.” He had a very brief pirate career which lasted only two years (1718-1720). However, his portrayal in media has left a lasting impression. His initial pirate appearance was in 1718 as a quartermaster on Charles Vane’s ship Ranger. Following Vane’s captaincy removal, Rackham was elected as captain and went on to lead various ships, notably the Kingston. Throughout his pirate ventures, he consistently flew the iconic Calico Jack flag, featuring a skull over crossed swords.

Image Source: Wikimedia

5. Thomas Tew, the “Rhode Island Pirate”

The emblem linked with Thomas Tew, an English privateer who transitioned into piracy during the late 17th century, features an arm clutching a sword (though evidence of Tew using this flag is uncertain). Unlike the red flag of Moody’s, this one’s black backdrop suggests a potential for avoiding violence. Following moderate privateering activities against Spanish and French ships, Tew shifted towards piracy. Limited to just two significant pirate expeditions, his second venture concluded in a violent manner—he allegedly met his end through disembowelment by a cannonball. Tew’s legacy rests in pioneering the Pirate Round, a sailing route adopted by numerous pirates from the 17th and 18th centuries.

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Image Source: Wikimedia

6. Richard Worley

Richard Worley, a pirate with a brief five-month career, is renowned for creating the widely familiar Jolly Roger flag. The flag depicts a skull and crossbones on a black backdrop. While Emmanuel Wynn is often credited with the earliest use of such symbols on a flag, it’s Worley’s design that has gained significant recognition.

Image Source: Wikimedia

7. Blackbeard Pirate Flag

Blackbeard’s flag was one of the most striking flags among pirate banners. It displays a horned skeleton wielding a spear towards a bleeding heart while toasting death with the other hand. However, the actual Blackbeard diverged from the legendary portrayal—less overwhelmingly triumphant and brutal. Beyond his limited success in looting, he was a relatively nonviolent pirate as compared to the other pirates. Surprisingly, historical records indicate that Blackbeard didn’t take a life until his final clash, where Lieutenant Robert Maynard defeated him.

Image Source: Wikimedia

8. Henry “Long Ben” Every

Among the notable pirates mentioned, this one stands out for capturing the attention of both historical and present-day audiences. His active period was confined to 1694-1696. Despite that, he is renowned for orchestrating the most substantial treasure heist achieved by a single pirate crew. During a 1695 attack on Mughal merchant ships, he and his crew seized a treasure estimated at 300,000 to 600,000 British pounds.

In terms of dollars, it turns out to be 50 to 120 million US dollars today. Subsequent to this raid, this pirate effectively disappeared from public view. Any traces of his whereabouts and undertakings ceased to exist after 1696, leaving unanswered questions regarding his use of the Mughal treasury shares.

Image Source: Wikimedia

9. Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts

“Black Bart” Roberts’ flag showcases his strong resentment towards Barbados and Martinique due to pursuing pirate hunters. The flag displayed an image of himself atop two skulls. Positioned beneath the skulls were the initials ABH (A Barbadian Head) and AMH (A Martinico’s Head). Certain versions of this flag also portrayed Roberts’ sword ablaze.

Image Source: Wikimedia

10. John Phillips Pirate Flag

A flag displaying a central figure, featuring a bleeding heart on one side and an hourglass on the other. It has been associated with 18th-century pirates John Phillips and John Quelch. While accounts align with this design for Phillips, evidence for Quelch’s usage is less substantial. After a brief period as a law-abiding citizen, Phillips grew bored of it. In 1723, he seized a ship, renamed it Revenge, and returned to piracy. Unfortunately, Phillips’ time as a pirate captain was short-lived. A surprise attack by his own captives led to his demise on April 18th, 1724.

Image Source: Wikimedia

These are the top 10 famous pirate flags in the world. Kindly share and do post your comments.

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