‘Shiver Me Timbers: Pirates on Page, Stage and Screen’ was originally conceived as a physical exhibition and was on display at The Word, National Centre for the Written Word in South Shields from 25 May 2017 to 31 January 2018.
It proved to be very popular with people of all ages and we have now created this online version, featuring all of the amazing stories, myths and facts that visitors to the exhibition found so fascinating.
So if you are ready, we invite you to dive in and immerse yourself in the exciting – and occasionally dangerous – world of pirates!
You can view photographs of the original ‘Shiver Me Timbers’ exhibition here.
What do you know about Pirates?
Watch our short exhibition film above to learn
more about what life was like as a Pirate.
What do you know about Pirates?
Watch our short exhibition film above to learn more about what life was like as a Pirate.
The modern concept of pirates as depicted in popular culture is derived largely – although not always accurately – from what has come to be referred to as ‘The Golden Age of Piracy’, 1650 to 1726. This was the era in which the occupation of piracy flourished like no other time in history, resulting in many examples of pirate fiction being set within this era.
During this period of lawlessness, pirates were able to amass massive fortunes as they raided cargo ships and far-off colonial territories. It was also during this time that piracy reached its peak, resulting in many of the famous pirates we know of today such as the fearsome Edward ‘Blackbeard’ Teach.
As the golden age of pirates declined, it became a popular source for the basis of adventure story books that proved immensely successful. Over the following decades other authors would continue to build upon the fictional portrayal of piracy, twisting truths, introducing made-up elements and popularising many of the characteristics and clichés now common to the genre.
So ‘weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen!’ and explore a world of fact and fiction, myth and legend, through the books, plays and movies that tell many tales of swashbuckling adventure on the high-seas, and why the romantic image of piracy still endures today.
The modern concept of pirates as depicted in popular culture is derived largely – although not always accurately – from what has come to be referred to as ‘The Golden Age of Piracy’, 1650 to 1726. This was the era in which the occupation of piracy flourished like no other time in history, resulting in many examples of pirate fiction being set within this era.
During this period of lawlessness, pirates were able to amass massive fortunes as they raided cargo ships and far-off colonial territories. It was also during this time that piracy reached its peak, resulting in many of the famous pirates we know of today such as the fearsome Edward ‘Blackbeard’ Teach.
As the golden age of pirates declined, it became a popular source for the basis of adventure story books that proved immensely successful. Over the following decades other authors would continue to build upon the fictional portrayal of piracy, twisting truths, introducing made-up elements and popularising many of the characteristics and clichés now common to the genre.
So ‘weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen!’ and explore a world of fact and fiction, myth and legend, through the books, plays and movies that tell many tales of swashbuckling adventure on the high-seas, and why the romantic image of piracy still endures today.
Explore the Pirate island map to discover more...