Pirates: Totalus Rankium

So we get to the end! Only two pirates remain. But who will be crowned the ultimate pirate of the seven (actually two or three depending on definitions) seas!?

Our second Pirate Semi! Only one can go through to the final. Jamie and I take questions about the pirates from our wonderful patreons!

So we are in the first pirate semi (behave!) We have Blackbeard, Blackbart, Blackvane and Blackcondent. But who is the one who goes through? Our Patreons ask questions, and we answer!

The final quarter final we have a close round of 5: Condent, North, Rackham, Kidd and Low go head to head. but only two can go through!

In the 3rd of the 4 rounds, we have Robin Hood Black Bellamy, Pirate King Vane, Gentleman Pirate Bonnet and Grandfather of piracy Avery. It is a round of death. only 2 can go through!

In the second round Black Bart goes up agianst Howard, Davies and Tew! All very good pirates, but only two can go through. (Thats two, not Tew. but maybe Tew)

We start the rounds to see who is the best and most piratey pirate around! Blackbeard v Halesy v Bonney v Read! Which 2 will go through?

So we come to the end - and that means one thing! The Pirate Rounds! Let's see who the best pirate of them all is! In this short episode we draw the names.

We come to our last pirate! William Fly is often considered the last pirate of the Golden Age. But why Fly? did he do something amazing? Or was he a damp squib. 

Ned Low was a bit of a git. But what about his right hand man? Well, probably a git as well. but maybe in a different way? find out!

We come to one of the most vicious of all pirates in the golden age. But was this a myth? Was he really that bad? And did he just want to be a lumberjack?   Also: Link to Marco's graphic novel mentioned in the episode: https://www.nubes.live/en/product/ammianus-vesper-mundi/?v=813e21682148

So, we don't get much on John Philips, but we do get a man to talk about him whose family we have come across before! Can you guess who? Can Jamie?

His episode is short, but maybe he is a hidden gem? Maybe?

He became a pirate under Howell Davies, he worked with Black Bart - two of the best pirates we have come across. So will Anstis live up to his mentors? Find out!

George Lowther may not be the biggest names in pirate history, but he made his mark. He got a chapter in the General History. So let's find out why! 

Here is the live speech we gave at last year's Intelligent Speech Conference. All about how you have been deceived about pirates!  We are keynote speakers this year - tickets are out now! It's on the 28th of Feb, and if you go to intelligentspeechonline.com you can get your tickets. Use the code Rankium to get a discount!

We cover the rest of the story of Black Bart. The 3rd pirate to get the nickname of "black" in the series. but does he live up to it?

We come to another pirate with a cool nick name. Two episodes on him, but why? is the pirate we have all been waiting for?

It's not a long episode. And his name is not Christopher Condent. But don't let that disturb you - maybe he is great! Maybe?  

This week we look into the life of an Irish pirate called England! We have come across him a couple of times already, but lets see what his story is all about.

We go to the friend of Ann this week. What, if anything, makes her stand out from her partner in crime? Does she have a new and equally probably made up back story? Find out!

We get to one of the most interesting pirates of the age - Ann Bonny. The pirate world was not kind to women, so how did Ann navigate the tumultuous waters of being a pirate and a woman? Find out! (Oh, and there is a load of fun nonsense from the General History too) 

Jamie and I will be keynote speakers at next year's Intelligent Speech conference! It is always a great time.  Intelligent Speech Online is happening February 28th, 2026. ·         The theme is Companions and Rivals ·         Tickets are on sale at  intelligentspeechonline.com ·         Earlybird pricing is available on tickets until December 31st, 2025. ·         Use discount code Rankium to get...

At the end of Vane's episode he was overtaken by his quartermaster. But who was that man? Why was he wearing these clothes, and why are the turtle hunters so buff? Find out!

Last time we saw what he got up to under Henry Jennings. But now he is on his own leading a pirate faction against all the leading pirates. Oh, and Woods Rogers is on his way!