plunder

In the world of pirates, where lawlessness is often the image that comes to mind, a surprising system of governance existed beneath the black flag. Pirates may have lacked a singular written code, but each crew crafted its own "Articles of Agreement." The Articles governed every aspect of pirate life, from division of plunder to compensation for the wounded. For pirates, "No prey, no pay" was the rule – they were paid based on their spoils. Captains earned the lion's share, while roles like Carpenter, Sailing Master, and Surgeon were compensated more generously. Sometimes, pirates received pay in goods, such as silk or slaves. This pirate society even had a rudimentary healthcare system, compensating those injured in service. Rewards were