In the year 1400, the renowned German pirate Klaus Stoertebeker met his end by beheading.

Around the year 1500, European colonial powers like Portugal and Spain were beginning to expand into North and South America, leading to conflicts with other European nations like Britain, France, and Holland over territorial claims.

In 1557, tensions between England and Spain resulted in the emergence of privateers, with notable figures like Sir Francis Drake operating in the waters of Central America.

Historians like John Fiske identify the start of the Golden Age of Piracy around 1650, following the end of the Wars of Religion. This period saw a resurgence in colonial expansion and seaborne trade, providing opportunities for wealth accumulation through piracy.

The English capture of Jamaica in 1655 further fueled piracy during the Golden Age of Piracy. Governors granted licenses to pirates to attack Spanish ships and ports, leading to increased pirate activities in the Caribbean region.

Henry Morgan's expedition to Panama in 1670 marked a significant event in Caribbean piracy. The raid on Panama City resulted in looting, destruction, and heightened notoriety for Morgan and his buccaneers.

Henry Morgan, a buccaneer who raided the Spaniards and took Panama City before being knighted and made governor of Jamaica, died a natural death in 1688.

Port Royal, known for its 100 taverns and other facilities catering to pirates, was destroyed during an earthquake in 1692. The city was a popular spot for buccaneers and Golden Age pirates.

In 1694, Henry Avery initiated a mutiny on a Royal Navy slave trader where he worked, marking the beginning of his successful but brief pirate career. Avery played a significant role in establishing New Providence Island as a pirate stronghold in the Caribbean.

In 1695, English pirate Henry Every captured the Ganj-i-Sawai, a merchant ship of the Mughal emperor, carrying cargo worth over $95 million today. Each crew member received a share more than a lifetime’s wages. Every disappeared after the successful capture.

Henry Every, a powerful pirate, was active in the late 17th century, particularly in the Red Sea. His flagship, the Fancy, was known for its speed and firepower, making him a significant figure in piracy during that time.

Captain Kidd kills one of his gunners, William Moore, during his acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean.

Captain Kidd attacks and captures the merchant ship Quedah Merchant off the coast of India near Cochin.

Captain Kidd is known to have buried treasure, possibly on Long Island. Despite many treasure-seekers attempting to find it, no success has been reported.

By the year 1700, New Providence Harbour (Nassau) hosted around 600 pirates, while Madagascar served as a base for approximately 1,500 pirates. These pirate havens evolved into bustling towns with various amenities for sailors.

On May 23, 1701, the notorious pirate Captain Kidd was hanged at Wapping Old Stairs in London, and his body was displayed publicly near the River Thames.

In 1715, pirates led by English ex-privateers attacked Spanish divers trying to recover gold from the sunken treasure galleon Urca de Lima near Florida. The raid was successful, but the pirates faced challenges in finding a safe haven for their loot.

In April 1717, the British pirate Samuel Bellamy tragically dies when his ship Whydah is wrecked off Cape Cod, marking the end of his notorious piratical career.

In November 1717, the infamous pirate Blackbeard took control of a French merchant slave ship, renaming it Queen Anne's Revenge. The ship, armed with over 40 cannons, struck fear into the hearts of sailors as one of the most formidable pirate vessels.

In October 1718, the pirate crews of Blackbeard and Charles Vane come together for a week-long celebration on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.

In November 1718, the pirate crew of Charles Vane votes to depose him and elects John Rackham ('Calico Jack') as their new captain.

In April 1719, the Barbadian pirate Stede Bonnet was hanged in Charleston, South Carolina.

In 1720, the notorious pirates 'Calico Jack' (John Rackham), Anne Bonny, and Mary Read were captured by Jamaican authorities in the Caribbean.

In March 1721, the English pirate Edward Low is known to be active in the Caribbean and eastern Atlantic regions, engaging in piracy.

On 12th February 1722, the Welsh pirate Bartholomew Roberts, also known as 'Black Bart' Roberts, was killed in a battle against the Royal Naval vessel HMS Swallow.

Published in 1724 by Captain Charles Johnson, 'A General History of the Pirates' provided detailed biographies of well-known pirates of the Golden Age, influencing modern depictions of piracy in literature and popular culture.

An engraving of Blackbeard the pirate created in 1725 based on a drawing by Howard Pyle.

After 1726, piracy began to decline due to increased governmental oversight, the commissioning of pirate hunters, and the offer of a royal pardon to any pirate who gave up piracy.

The Golden Age of Piracy, which is commonly associated with the era of famous pirates like Blackbeard and Black Bart, came to an end around 1730. This period marked a decline in piracy due to various factors.

Female pirate captain Ching Shih, also known as Zheng Yi Sao, united Asian pirates into a vast organization with hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of men.

The Second Barbary War occurred in 1815, as a continuation of the conflict between the United States and the Barbary pirates in North Africa, leading to further confrontations and resolutions.

Piracy was eradicated in Central America by 1820.

Piracy was eliminated in Asian waters by 1850.

An illustration depicting a pirate walking the plank, created in 1887.

The term 'Golden Age of Piracy' was first mentioned in 1894 by English journalist George Powell, referring to a period that seemed like the best time for piracy until the late 1600s. Subsequent historians like John Fiske and Patrick Pringle expanded on this concept, highlighting different views on the timeframe.

Historian John Fiske introduced the phrase 'Golden Age of Piracy' in 1897, defining it as a period from about 1650 to about 1720 when piracy thrived greatly.

An illustration of a pirate holding a pistol and cutlass, created after 1901.

In 1924, Philip Gosse stated that piracy was at its peak from 1680 until 1730.

In 1978, Douglas Botting defined the Golden Age of Piracy as lasting barely 30 years, starting at the close of the 17th Century and ending in the first quarter of the 18th.

In 1989, Professor Marcus Rediker defined the Golden Age of Piracy as lasting only from 1716 to 1726.

In 1994, David Cordingly defined the 'great age of piracy' as lasting from the 1650s to around 1725, aligning closely with Fiske's definition of the Golden Age.

A work by Rogozinski providing information about pirates, possibly including the Golden Age of Piracy.

A book by Konstam and McBride focusing on the lives and actions of pirates between 1660-1730.

A book by Konstam and Bryan providing insights into pirate ships and their activities during the period of 1660-1730.

In 2004, Marcus Rediker proposed a 'golden age of piracy' spanning from roughly 1650 to 1730, subdivided into three distinct 'generations'.

In 2005, Martin Mares proposed a longer periodization of the Golden Age of Piracy, suggesting an uninterrupted and continuous process with peaks and regressions, emphasizing the British contribution and imperial policy.

A publication by Konstam, Rickman, and Rava exploring the concept of the Golden Age of Piracy.

A book titled 'Pirates: The Golden Age of Piracy: A History from Beginning to End' was written by History, Hourly and published in 2019. It provides a comprehensive history of piracy from its origins to its end.

The book 'Pirates: Fact and Fiction' by David Cordingly and John Falconer was released, exploring the captivating world of pirates through a blend of reality and fiction.

A book titled 'The Pirate King: The Strange Adventures of Henry Avery and the Birth...' was written by Kingsley, Sean & Cowan, Rex and published in 2024. It explores the intriguing adventures of Henry Avery and the circumstances surrounding his life.