10 Real Pirates Of The Caribbean More Bad-Ass Than Jack Sparrow

2. Mary Read - The Tragic Tale Of A Woman Living The Life A Man

Having been dressed as a boy from childhood by her mother, in the hope of continuing to receive the inheritance owed to her deceased half-brother, Mary was adept at disguises. She joined the military after coming of age, but soon fell in love and married a Flemish soldier, settling down and buying an inn. After taking to the West Indies following her husband's death, Mary was pressed into service by a pirate crew, eventually coming into the service of Calico Jack Rackham. Yet, having been disguised as a man for many years, Mary's identity is soon revealed to fellow female crew member Anne Bonny. Although Anne was married to Calico Jack, Anne was said to have expressed feelings for the disguised Mary, who thought she was falling in love with a dapper man. Mary felt compelled to reveal her true identity upon Anne's expression. Suffering the same fate as Jack and Anne, Mary was captured by the British and sentenced to hanging in Kingston, Jamaica. In accordance with England's laws, however, Mary and Anne 'pleaded their bellies', claiming they were pregnant, gaining a temporary stay of execution until the baby was born. Although speculation continues as to Anne's possible escape, Mary was destined to die of a fever in prison - as illustrated towards the climax of Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag.