Throughout the centuries pirates have captivated imaginations as no other figures from history could, and the fact that some pirates were women has astonished and intrigued people even more.
Anne Bonny and Mary Read were two of the most notorious female pirates to ever wreak havoc on the high seas. Tough and courageous, they became legends during their own lifetimes. The myths surrounding Anne and Mary have become wilder in the nearly 300 years since they were captured, put on trial in Jamaica, and condemned to hang on the gallows.
This booklet explores the actual events that lead up to the
capture of John "Calico Jack" Rackham and his crew, including
his "brace of hellcats." It also includes the complete,
unabridged transcript of their trial. Read the eyewitness
accounts of captives who provided detailed information on
these women pirates, including one victim who testified that
she nearly lost her life at the hands of Anne Bonny!
Going beyond the myths surrounding the women and placing them
in a true historical context, find out how various primary
source documents--such as the court transcript and personal
correspondence from the governors of the Bahamas and
Jamaica--have helped lay to rest many of the myths that have
followed these women through the centuries.
Read what may have actually transpired inside the Jamaican jail--including new information regarding Mary's death--and how ongoing research has already uncovered some fascinating new facts regarding Anne Bonny's mysterious disappearance from her jail cell, and what transpired once she found her way back to the Colonies.
The Pirate Trial of Anne Bonny and Mary Read captures the true spirit of these courageous and remarkable hellions, bringing back to life these legendary figures from the Golden Age of Piracy.