In 1720, female pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny were captured alongside their crew, including the infamous Calico Jack Rackham. Their trial captivated the public, particularly due to their cross-dressing and defiance of gender norms in a male-dominated society. The stories of Read and Bonny have since become legendary, symbolizing both the allure and danger of piracy in the Caribbean.

The execution of Mary Read and Anne Bonny in 1720 inspired a rich vein of ballads and poems celebrating their defiance and strength as female pirates. Their stories became emblematic of women's resistance against societal norms, influencing later feminist poetry that sought to reclaim women's narratives in history.