In the 17th and 18th centuries there were many pirates who sailed the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, but two women, Mary Read and Anne Bonny, were said to be more ruthless than most of the male buccaneers at sea. Indeed, they would probably cut the throats of any person who disagreed.
They dressed in men’s clothing and committed unspeakable atrocities, all to demonstrate their power and to obtain large hoards of gold, silver and jewels. Their adventures have been written into history, but their hidden treasure may have never been found.
Eventually captured by the British authorities, Mary and Anne were tried at the court in Spanish Town, Jamaica. There, in front of a packed public gallery, their cases were heard. To be convicted of piracy, the result would always be… the sentence of death!
Hauled from the court, all convicted pirates would be taken back to their cell and await their destiny… the announced date of their public execution! Their futures now certain, their lives would soon end… whilst ‘dancing the hempen jig’.
When Mary and Anne were brought into court, there was a gasp from the crowd in the public gallery. Despite being scruffily dressed, it was obvious to everyone that both were ‘with child’. Chained by their ankles and wrists, Mary, a
