This article was published in the April 23, 1910 issue of Harper's Weekly. Mary Read is 19 before she works as a sailor or soldier, and her soldier husband also becomes a pirate. Anne Bonney dresses as a man to run away from home with her husband, with whom she works as a pirate. When… Continue reading Female Pirates
Tag: Swordmaster Mary
Masqueraded As Men: Women, Who Sailed on Pirate Ships, Once Sentenced to Death
This article was published in the September 7, 1907 issue of the Victoria Daily Times. It says Mary Read lived in France when she married her soldier husband, who dies a few years later, and Anne Bonney dresses as a man to elope with her husband. They are arrested and tried as men, and it's… Continue reading Masqueraded As Men: Women, Who Sailed on Pirate Ships, Once Sentenced to Death
To Hell or Barbados: The Ethnic Cleansing of Ireland by Sean O’Callaghan
This book was published in 2000. O'Callaghan says that Ann Bonny's father left Ireland because of his involvement in activities against George I. He and Ann move to Charleston when she is 15. James Bonny brings Ann on board Jack Rackham's ship. She leaves James and falls in love with Mary, who has somehow fought… Continue reading To Hell or Barbados: The Ethnic Cleansing of Ireland by Sean O’Callaghan
Heart of a Pirate: A Novel of Anne Bonny by Pamela Johnson
This novel was published in 2009. Anne's parents are William Cormac and Peg Brennen, who sleeps with him in exchange for legal help for her brother Sean. The spoon saga is fabricated by William's wife Amy. Anne is born in March 1700. They move to Charles Town where William does business with Benjamin Hornigold. Mary… Continue reading Heart of a Pirate: A Novel of Anne Bonny by Pamela Johnson
Daily Warm-Ups: Nonfiction Reading Grade 6 by Robert W. Smith
This teacher resource was published in 2011 and includes a reading exercise about female pirates. Jack Rackham captures Mary Read while she is a soldier. They are arrested by the navy and Anne is pardoned.
True Caribbean Pirates
This documentary aired on the History Channel in 2006. It was written and directed by Tim Prokop, and the talking heads during the Bonny-Rackam-Read segment are James Nelson, Christine Lampe, and Robert Ossian. It says that Ann (Michelle Michaels) was determined to be the most famous pirate in history. Ann and Jack flirt In June… Continue reading True Caribbean Pirates
Kingston by Starlight by Christopher John Farley
This novel was published in 2005. It is narrated by Anne Bonny. In Jack Rackam's backstory his father raises civets in Colchester until they lose money and move to London where he (the father) is press-ganged. Jack's mother dies and Jack goes to sea. He sails on the Duke during Woodes Rogers's circumnavigation trip, and… Continue reading Kingston by Starlight by Christopher John Farley
History Makers: Pirates by Rupert Matthews
This children's book was published in 2006. Mary Read is in the army for ten years. She is a passenger on a ship that Jack Rackham captures. He asks her to join his crew because he is impressed by her swordsmanship. She and Anne Bonny spend over two years sailing with Jack. Illustration by Terry… Continue reading History Makers: Pirates by Rupert Matthews
Lobas de mar by Zoé Valdés
This novel was published in 2003. Mary is born in December 1690. Her mother is Margaret Jane Carlton whose husband is John Carlton. They have a son named Billy and John goes back to sea after his birth, during which time Margaret Jane sleeps with several other men, by one of whom she conceives Mary.… Continue reading Lobas de mar by Zoé Valdés
Women Warriors: A History by David E. Jones
This book was published in 1997. Jones says Mary Reed was born in Bristol and worked for a French noblewoman who died. She joins Marlborough's army specifically due to her "skill with pistol and sword". She and her husband live in Flanders instead of Breda. She duels with a nobleman and kills him, inciting the… Continue reading Women Warriors: A History by David E. Jones
Depictions of John Rackam, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read 