User blog comment:Uskok/Barbossa the Privateer/@comment-1771352-20110531234224

Perhaps England was at war with France at the time (after all, it was around the time of the seven years/french and indian wars) and the king was so desperate that he was willing to hire former pirates and give them a full pardon if they fought against France. Barbossa was one of them and hence became a privateer. Due to all of his victories and achievements, he was made an advisor to King George.