My avatar is because my hometown in France (Saint Malo) is famous for his "corsaires" (like Surcouf who captured many british ships among which the "Kent" in the Indian Ocean or Duguay-Trouin who attacked Rio de Janeiro)
They were not considered as pirates because they had a written authorization from the King to attack enemy vessels and keep the loot. They were operating under an official contract called "Lettre de marque" (or "Lettre de course")and therefore were not hanged high when captured.
And 31 because I was born on Dec 31st...