Piracy has been around almost as long  as boats have. Since ancient times,  
Piracy has been around almost as long  as boats have. Since ancient times,  

pirates have been raiding ships, taking crews  hostage, pillaging, and basically using the high  
pirates have been raiding ships, taking crews  hostage, pillaging, and basically using the high  

seas as their own personal playground. In the  16 and 1700s, piracy experienced a Golden Age.  
seas as their own personal playground. In the  16 and 1700s, piracy experienced a Golden Age.  

Thousands of them roamed the waters around the  world. Writers and historians began chronicling  
Thousands of them roamed the waters around the  world. Writers and historians began chronicling  

their exploits and the fierce, independent,  swashbuckling image of the pirate was born.  
their exploits and the fierce, independent,  swashbuckling image of the pirate was born.  

Stories were written, movies were made, legends  were born. Welcome back to Nutty History. Today,  
Stories were written, movies were made, legends  were born. Welcome back to Nutty History. Today,  

we’re setting sail and exploring some of history’s  most famous pirates…and the mysteries surrounding  
we’re setting sail and exploring some of history’s  most famous pirates…and the mysteries surrounding  

them. Ah, utopia. A free society, everyone living  in harmony with each other and the natural world.  
them. Ah, utopia. A free society, everyone living  in harmony with each other and the natural world.  

Waterfalls and birds chirping and sun shining  and all that. Many have imagined it, none have  
Waterfalls and birds chirping and sun shining  and all that. Many have imagined it, none have  

truly experienced it. When you think of utopia,  piracy probably isn’t one of the first things  
truly experienced it. When you think of utopia,  piracy probably isn’t one of the first things  

that comes to mind. But this is exactly what  the pirate James Mission was set out to achieve.  
that comes to mind. But this is exactly what  the pirate James Mission was set out to achieve.  

Mission was born into a wealthy family in  France, but he was one of many children and  
Mission was born into a wealthy family in  France, but he was one of many children and  

had little hope of getting any inheritance. So he  hit the seas to try and make a life for himself,  
had little hope of getting any inheritance. So he  hit the seas to try and make a life for himself,  

joining a privateering company on a ship  named the Victoire. During his travels he  
joining a privateering company on a ship  named the Victoire. During his travels he  

met up with a free-thinking Dominican priest  named Caraccioli. Caraccioli was a radical for  
met up with a free-thinking Dominican priest  named Caraccioli. Caraccioli was a radical for  

his day and believed that organized religion was  nothing more than a tool to control the masses.  
his day and believed that organized religion was  nothing more than a tool to control the masses.  

He also believed that everyone was created equal  and free and opposed enslavement and the pervasive  
He also believed that everyone was created equal  and free and opposed enslavement and the pervasive  

enslavement trade that gripped the world at the  time. Mission was converted, and the two set out  
enslavement trade that gripped the world at the  time. Mission was converted, and the two set out  

to create their own utopia. Eventually, Mission  became captain of the Victoire. He, Caraccioli and  
to create their own utopia. Eventually, Mission  became captain of the Victoire. He, Caraccioli and  

their diverse crew pillaged their way around the  horn of Africa to Madagascar, raiding enslavement  
their diverse crew pillaged their way around the  horn of Africa to Madagascar, raiding enslavement  

ships and freeing people along the way. They wound  up founding their own society on an island called  
ships and freeing people along the way. They wound  up founding their own society on an island called  

Libertatia. It was a free, democratic society  where everyone had equal say on all matters. The  
Libertatia. It was a free, democratic society  where everyone had equal say on all matters. The  

soil was fertile, there was plenty to eat, life  was good…until it wasn’t. Mission and his crew  
soil was fertile, there was plenty to eat, life  was good…until it wasn’t. Mission and his crew  

were lost at sea in a storm, and Libertatia was  lost with them. But did Libertatia actually exist?  
were lost at sea in a storm, and Libertatia was  lost with them. But did Libertatia actually exist?  

No one has ever found the place. The story itself  comes from a couple chapters in a book called “A  
No one has ever found the place. The story itself  comes from a couple chapters in a book called “A  

General History of the Robberies and Crimes of the  Most Notorious Pirates.” It was written in 1726 by  
General History of the Robberies and Crimes of the  Most Notorious Pirates.” It was written in 1726 by  

a man named Captain Charles Johnson, though many  believe this was a pseudonym used by Daniel Defoe,  
a man named Captain Charles Johnson, though many  believe this was a pseudonym used by Daniel Defoe,  

the famed novelist who wrote Robinson Crusoe. Was  it all just a story conjured up in the mind of a  
the famed novelist who wrote Robinson Crusoe. Was  it all just a story conjured up in the mind of a  

great storyteller, or was it historical fact?  We may never know. Olivier Levasseur, nicknamed  
great storyteller, or was it historical fact?  We may never know. Olivier Levasseur, nicknamed  

“La Buse” or “The Buzzard,” was one of the most  prolific, ruthless pirates to ever sail the seas.  
“La Buse” or “The Buzzard,” was one of the most  prolific, ruthless pirates to ever sail the seas.  

The Frenchman was born into a wealthy family and  actually practiced as an architect before becoming  
The Frenchman was born into a wealthy family and  actually practiced as an architect before becoming  

restless and hitting the ocean. He started off as  a privateer for the French crown in the Caribbean,  
restless and hitting the ocean. He started off as  a privateer for the French crown in the Caribbean,  

but soon cut ties with his homeland and turned  towards piracy. He eventually made his way to  
but soon cut ties with his homeland and turned  towards piracy. He eventually made his way to  

the Indian Ocean where he met up with another  notorious pirate named John Taylor. Together,  
the Indian Ocean where he met up with another  notorious pirate named John Taylor. Together,  

they wreaked mayhem on the ships navigating  the islands off the coast of Africa. In one of  
they wreaked mayhem on the ships navigating  the islands off the coast of Africa. In one of  

the biggest paydays in the history of piracy, La  Buse and Taylor hijacked the Virgin of the Cape,  
the biggest paydays in the history of piracy, La  Buse and Taylor hijacked the Virgin of the Cape,  

a mammoth Portuguese flagship that was loaded  with gold, jewels, artwork, and other priceless  
a mammoth Portuguese flagship that was loaded  with gold, jewels, artwork, and other priceless  

artifacts. Luckily for the pirates, the ship had  been heavily damaged in a storm and the crew had  
artifacts. Luckily for the pirates, the ship had  been heavily damaged in a storm and the crew had  

to throw their 72 cannons overboard. The pirates  were able to take the ship pretty easily, and  
to throw their 72 cannons overboard. The pirates  were able to take the ship pretty easily, and  

theymade away with a reported 1 billion dollars’  worth of booty! La Buse was a rich man, and so  
theymade away with a reported 1 billion dollars’  worth of booty! La Buse was a rich man, and so  

decided to retire. The King of France had actually  offered him clemency…if he returned the treasure.  
decided to retire. The King of France had actually  offered him clemency…if he returned the treasure.  

La Buse refused though, and was eventually caught  and sentenced to capital punishment. At his public  
La Buse refused though, and was eventually caught  and sentenced to capital punishment. At his public  

demise, he addressed the onlookers gathered around  the gallows. According to reports, he said “find  
demise, he addressed the onlookers gathered around  the gallows. According to reports, he said “find  

my treasure, the one who may understand it” and  threw a cryptogram into the crowd. To this day,  
my treasure, the one who may understand it” and  threw a cryptogram into the crowd. To this day,  

no one has managed to decipher it. However,  one man may have gotten pretty close.  
no one has managed to decipher it. However,  one man may have gotten pretty close.  

In the mid-1900s, an Englishman named Reginald  Cruise-Wilkins believed he had figured it out,  
In the mid-1900s, an Englishman named Reginald  Cruise-Wilkins believed he had figured it out,  

and began searching a cave on the  island of Mahe in the Seychelles.  
and began searching a cave on the  island of Mahe in the Seychelles.  

He wound up finding some old weapons and coins,  but then died before he could decode the last  
He wound up finding some old weapons and coins,  but then died before he could decode the last  

piece of the cryptogram. La Buse’s massive  hoard of treasure still remains a mystery.  
piece of the cryptogram. La Buse’s massive  hoard of treasure still remains a mystery.  

Henry Every has been called the “Arch  Pirate” and the “King of Pirates.”  
Henry Every has been called the “Arch  Pirate” and the “King of Pirates.”  

He’s probably the greatest pirate you’ve never  heard of. In just two years, from 1693 to 1695,  
He’s probably the greatest pirate you’ve never  heard of. In just two years, from 1693 to 1695,  

he amassed huge piles of treasure and even  threatened international relations between  
he amassed huge piles of treasure and even  threatened international relations between  

England and the Mughal empire. Every started out  in the British Royal Navy. Eventually, he moved  
England and the Mughal empire. Every started out  in the British Royal Navy. Eventually, he moved  

into the Atlantic enslavement trade, where he  thrived in one of history’s most horrible markets.  
into the Atlantic enslavement trade, where he  thrived in one of history’s most horrible markets.  

Soon after, he joined the crew of a Spanish  privateering ship named Charles II that was tasked  
Soon after, he joined the crew of a Spanish  privateering ship named Charles II that was tasked  

with combating pirates and French smugglers in the  Caribbean. But while the ship was docked in Spain,  
with combating pirates and French smugglers in the  Caribbean. But while the ship was docked in Spain,  

Every spearheaded a mutiny, renamed the  ship Fancy, pulled up the Jolly Roger flag,  
Every spearheaded a mutiny, renamed the  ship Fancy, pulled up the Jolly Roger flag,  

and began pirating his way towards the  Indian Ocean. Then, in September of 1695,  
and began pirating his way towards the  Indian Ocean. Then, in September of 1695,  

he set his sights on a ship owned by the Mughal  empire – a powerful nation in modern-day India.  
he set his sights on a ship owned by the Mughal  empire – a powerful nation in modern-day India.  

The ship – named the Ganj-i-Sawai – was  part of a convoy owned by Emperor Aurangzeb,  
The ship – named the Ganj-i-Sawai – was  part of a convoy owned by Emperor Aurangzeb,  

and it contained lots and lots of gold. The  convoy was on its way back to India from Mecca,  
and it contained lots and lots of gold. The  convoy was on its way back to India from Mecca,  

and it was well-armed. Every’s pirate fleet  eventually won the day. Both sides suffered heavy  
and it was well-armed. Every’s pirate fleet  eventually won the day. Both sides suffered heavy  

casualties, but in the end Every and his men made  out with almost 100 million in today’s dollars.  
casualties, but in the end Every and his men made  out with almost 100 million in today’s dollars.  

The heist caused a huge rift between England  and the Mughal Empire. Emperor Aurangzeb began  
The heist caused a huge rift between England  and the Mughal Empire. Emperor Aurangzeb began  

imprisoning British traders in India. To appease  the emperor, the British put a reward out for  
imprisoning British traders in India. To appease  the emperor, the British put a reward out for  

Every, but in reality, the blood was already  boiling between the two nations. The Mughal  
Every, but in reality, the blood was already  boiling between the two nations. The Mughal  

empire would eventually fall, and the British  would eventually colonize the Indian subcontinent.  
empire would eventually fall, and the British  would eventually colonize the Indian subcontinent.  

Every disappeared without a trace. He was one of  the few pirates who was never caught or confirmed  
Every disappeared without a trace. He was one of  the few pirates who was never caught or confirmed  

dead. Speculation swirls about where he ended  up. Some say he went back to England in hiding,  
dead. Speculation swirls about where he ended  up. Some say he went back to England in hiding,  

others say he set up shop somewhere in the  Caribbean. The fate of Every…and of his Mughal  
others say he set up shop somewhere in the  Caribbean. The fate of Every…and of his Mughal  

treasure…remains unknown. Captain Kidd is one  of the most celebrated and romanticized pirates  
treasure…remains unknown. Captain Kidd is one  of the most celebrated and romanticized pirates  

of all time, with one of the most sought-after  treasures that may or may not actually exist. He  
of all time, with one of the most sought-after  treasures that may or may not actually exist. He  

started out his career as a legitimate privateer  for the English crown, and was fighting against  
started out his career as a legitimate privateer  for the English crown, and was fighting against  

the French in the Caribbean and off the coast of  North America. By 1690 he’d become quite wealthy,  
the French in the Caribbean and off the coast of  North America. By 1690 he’d become quite wealthy,  

with his own ship and he landed in New York City.  Five years later he was sent to the waters of East  
with his own ship and he landed in New York City.  Five years later he was sent to the waters of East  

Africa by the English government to patrol  the seas for pirates who were messing with  
Africa by the English government to patrol  the seas for pirates who were messing with  

the British East India Company. It was there  that Kidd apparently turned to piracy himself.  
the British East India Company. It was there  that Kidd apparently turned to piracy himself.  

He made his way back to the Caribbean, where he  commandeered an Armenian ship that was reported  
He made his way back to the Caribbean, where he  commandeered an Armenian ship that was reported  

to be carrying a ton of valuable stuff, though  just what it was carrying remains a mystery.  
to be carrying a ton of valuable stuff, though  just what it was carrying remains a mystery.  

Around this time he got into a fight with one of  his crew who was mortally wounded. Kidd eventually  
Around this time he got into a fight with one of  his crew who was mortally wounded. Kidd eventually  

learned that he’d been denounced as a pirate, so  he went back to New York City to plead his case.  
learned that he’d been denounced as a pirate, so  he went back to New York City to plead his case.  

Not a good move though. His defense fell on deaf  ears, though. He was sent back to England in 1701  
Not a good move though. His defense fell on deaf  ears, though. He was sent back to England in 1701  

and received capital punishment for the death  of his crewmate. Legend has it Kidd stashed a  
and received capital punishment for the death  of his crewmate. Legend has it Kidd stashed a  

huge treasure somewhere. Many people think  it might be hiding on a small island off the  
huge treasure somewhere. Many people think  it might be hiding on a small island off the  

coast of Nova Scotia. In 1795, a man discovered  a pit on Oak Island. After further excavation,  
coast of Nova Scotia. In 1795, a man discovered  a pit on Oak Island. After further excavation,  

it turned out that there were layers and layers of  planks spaced out every 10 feet below the surface.  
it turned out that there were layers and layers of  planks spaced out every 10 feet below the surface.  

There was also a mysterious stone with symbols  carved into it hinting at an unimaginable treasure  
There was also a mysterious stone with symbols  carved into it hinting at an unimaginable treasure  

that lay deeper down. Unfortunately, the hole  collapsed and filled with water. Many have tried  
that lay deeper down. Unfortunately, the hole  collapsed and filled with water. Many have tried  

to uncover the treasure over the years. So far  seven have died and none have ever found it.  
to uncover the treasure over the years. So far  seven have died and none have ever found it.  

Kidd apparently said he had hidden his treasure  “where none but Satan and myself can find it”.  
Kidd apparently said he had hidden his treasure  “where none but Satan and myself can find it”.  

Whether or not it lies deep down in the  depths of Oak Island is still up for debate.  
Whether or not it lies deep down in the  depths of Oak Island is still up for debate.  

Around 1177 BC, the Bronze Age Collapse  happened…and it might’ve been caused by  
Around 1177 BC, the Bronze Age Collapse  happened…and it might’ve been caused by  

some of the world’s first pirates. Mystery  swirls about what actually happened,  
some of the world’s first pirates. Mystery  swirls about what actually happened,  

but historians agree that around this time, a  vast, interconnected network of civilizations  
but historians agree that around this time, a  vast, interconnected network of civilizations  

in the Mediterranean suddenly collapsed,  and no one really knows why. The Mycenaeans,  
in the Mediterranean suddenly collapsed,  and no one really knows why. The Mycenaeans,  

Egyptians, Hittites, Babylonians, and Minoans were  all advanced civilizations with thriving cultures,  
Egyptians, Hittites, Babylonians, and Minoans were  all advanced civilizations with thriving cultures,  

beautiful architecture, and economies based on  oversea trade. But then it all fell apart. A dark  
beautiful architecture, and economies based on  oversea trade. But then it all fell apart. A dark  

age lasted for centuries afterward. Some evidence  suggests that there was a 300-year drought around  
age lasted for centuries afterward. Some evidence  suggests that there was a 300-year drought around  

this time which led to famine, starvation, and  massive loss of life. Without enough food, these  
this time which led to famine, starvation, and  massive loss of life. Without enough food, these  

civilizations went to war, and slowly destroyed  themselves. However, there are also accounts of  
civilizations went to war, and slowly destroyed  themselves. However, there are also accounts of  

a mysterious sea faring people, known only as the  “Sea Peoples”, who are written about and etched  
a mysterious sea faring people, known only as the  “Sea Peoples”, who are written about and etched  

into stellae that depict great battles around  this time. It’s believed that the Sea Peoples were  
into stellae that depict great battles around  this time. It’s believed that the Sea Peoples were  

responsible for much of the demise and destruction  along the Mediterranean, as they would invade and  
responsible for much of the demise and destruction  along the Mediterranean, as they would invade and  

destroy prominent port cities, possibly taking  advantage of these drought-weakened Empires.  
destroy prominent port cities, possibly taking  advantage of these drought-weakened Empires.  

Unfortunately, vague written accounts and  unidentifiable carvings are all the evidence  
Unfortunately, vague written accounts and  unidentifiable carvings are all the evidence  

we have that these powerful pirates ever  existed. Have any more good pirate facts?  
we have that these powerful pirates ever  existed. Have any more good pirate facts?  

Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget  to like and subscribe for more Nutty History!
Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget  to like and subscribe for more Nutty History!