Pirates

thumb|upright|"Buccaneer of the Caribbean" from Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates. Buccaneers were privateers and pirates operating in the Caribbean Sea during the 17th and 18th centuries. First established as early as 1625 on northwestern side of Hispaniola after the devastations of Osorio, their heyday was from the Restoration in 1660 until about 1688, during a time when governments in the Caribbean area were not strong enough to suppress them. Martinique was a home port for French buccaneers as well as pirates like Captain Crapeau.

island in Chile

maritime piracy from the 1650s to the 1730s

1814 tale in verse by George Gordon Byron

loose coalition of pirates in the Caribbean of the 17th and 18th centuries

Matelotage (French for "seamanship") was an agreement amongst pairs of European sailors, in particular buccaneers, in the 17th and early 18th century. As part of this economic partnership, "matelots" would agree to share their incomes, and inherit their partner's property in the case of their death. In addition, they would pledge to protect and fight alongside each other in battle and otherwise act in the other's interest. Not limited to sailors or pirates, matelotage agreements could be made by members of any group, even planters.

seafaring Jewish people who engaged in piracy