Getting jolly rogered

Sunday column

Let’s say it’s the 18th century and let’s say you’re a pirate, and let’s say you’re about to set sail. 

How do you prepare? Repair to a tavern with many barrels of ale? Find a comely wench? Get on your knees and pray? Maybe all those things. 

But also there will be paperwork. You will be signing the Articles of Agreement, also known as the Pirate’s Code, …