Code of the Pirate Brethren

"Keep to the Code." "Aye, the Code."

- Jack Sparrow and Joshamee Gibbs

The Code of the Brethren, also known as the Code of the Order of the Brethren and commonly referred to as the pirate's code, was a code of conduct used among pirates, and chronicled in the Pirata Codex kept at Shipwreck Cove. The code was set down in the classic age of piracy by the pirates Morgan and Bartholomew, on behalf of the second Brethren Court.

History
"The code? You're pirates. Hang the code, and hang the rules! They're more like guidelines anyway!"

- Elizabeth Swann

Despite governing all pirates, and drawn upon by the Pirate Lords themselves, the code was seen more as guidelines than actual rules by certain pirates. Hector Barbossa in particular held this belief, though was known to have used the code to further his own ends: he coerced Jack Sparrow into giving up the bearing to Isla de Muerta by stating that since all crewmen should get an equal share of the treasure, as per the code, they should also be told the location of the island.

Elizabeth Swann would later adopt this viewpoint, and recited it to Joshamee Gibbs aboard the Black Pearl. Gibbs in turn cited this philosophy to Jack Sparrow.

Captain Teague was the Keeper of the Code of the Brethren, and he took the code much more seriously, killing any who spoke out against it.

The pirate code
Known rules from the code:
 * Rule one, befreind others wisely.
 * The Right of Parlay
 * Artycle II, Section I, Paragraph VIII (sharing of the spoils)
 * Artycle II, Section II, Paragraph I (whoever first spotted a treasure-laden ship could choose the best pistol for themselves)
 * Every crew member is to have an equal share in any treasure found
 * Any man who falls behind is left behind
 * An act of war and parley with adversaries may only be declared by the Pirate King, who could only be elected by popular vote by all nine Pirate Lords.

The code also contained strict regulations on eye patch color and peg leg size as well as implying that a pirate never gives another away.

Appearances

 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow: Silver
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
 * The Buccaneer's Heart!
 * Pirates of the Caribbean Online
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End