Pirate lore refers to the myths, legends, and historical accounts surrounding pirates, who were seafaring criminals active from the 16th to the 19th centuries. These stories often include famous figures like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, as well as tales of buried treasure and cursed ships. Many pirate tales also involve the code of conduct that pirates supposedly followed, which included rules about sharing loot and treating fellow crew members fairly. Additionally, symbols like the Jolly Roger flag and the idea of walking the plank have become iconic representations of pirate culture in popular media.