A pirate code was a code of conduct invented for governing
pirates, and first introduced by the 17th century Portuguese
buccaneer Bartolomeu Português. Generally each pirate crew had
its own code or articles, which provided rules for discipline,
division of stolen goods, and compensation for injured pirates.
Buccaneers began operating under a set of rules variously called
the Chasse-Partie, Charter Party, Custom of the Coast, or
Jamaica Discipline. These eventually became known as Articles of
Agreement, or the pirate's code. Pirate articles varied from one
captain to another, and sometimes even from one voyage to
another, but they were generally alike in including provisions
for discipline, specifications for each crewmate's share of
treasure, and compensation for the injured. Each crew member was
asked to sign or make his mark on the articles, then swear an
oath of allegiance or honor. The oath was sometimes taken on a
Bible, but John Phillips' men, lacking a Bible, swore on an axe.
Legend suggests that othe