Captain Twill
Academic Fight Circle, Research, Share, Discuss & Debate Maritime History.
1,545 topics in this forum
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One thing I find very refreshing with pirate reenactment is that people are very welcoming, very warm and encouraging, probably because it is fairly new. Based on your comment Hawkyns, what I understand is that I would not be welcome to a 17th century event as a newbie unless my kit is close to perfection. You said it yourself it took you 30 years, that's a pretty good advance and hard to follow. Now how can I learn from that experience if I'm not welcome to participate? I think any time period reenactment, if they want to grow and survive as a hobby, needs to show an open-minded attitude from both parties, veteran and rookies.
Last reply by Badger, -
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I know that eye glasses were invented well before the GAoP yet I don't seem to find many references to them during the period. I also can't recall seeing any images with someone wearing or even holding them. I am hoping that some of the more studious might be able to assist me in this tidbit of research.
Last reply by Mission, -
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I saw mentioned in this forum and maybe somewhere else for reenactors that they should use buckled shoes and no way boots. But boots existed before the Age of Sail, as far as I know (and I have read about various people being described in books). Then... why? I really want to know...
Last reply by Quartermaster James, -
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Took a look at a book entitled "Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs" by Jerry Webber. In the book Mr. Webber notes that people in the 1700's drank 3 times as much alcoholas we do today. He also mentions Marihuana Tax act of 1937 and says that the use of Marijuana stretches back thousands of years (page 18). Made me think? Did Pirates enjoy something other than rum, wine, ale and beer from time to time?
Last reply by jendobyns, -
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In our modern world today, we can have light whenever we want, in just about any amount we want, and we don't have to set fire to anything to get it. Just throw a switch, push a button, turn a knob and the ceiling lamp, flashlight, or portable lantern is ready to help us keep from crashing into, tripping over, or falling off of our environment. What were one's options with regard to lighting in the 17th and 18th centuries (apart, of course, from doing without)? What did the lamps use, oil? What did they look like? Were torches just sticks with one end afire or was there more to it than that? Did the guys in the magazine work in the dark or was there some sort of safety l…
Last reply by sea haugh, -
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The Dutch East India Company and other companies of the wide world have used emblems on official documents or to mark property, but which logs were used and when? I'm finding conflicting information regrading the economical powerhouses and what logos, insignias and emblems were used and during which years they were employed. I'm also curious about the emblem used throughout PoTC 2 and its authenticity. Any company emblem information would be appreciated, as we may be using them at PIP to mark 'acquired' goods and sundries. This would also include woodcuts, engravings and all matter of art found on letters of marque and other offical papers.
Last reply by Stynky Tudor, -
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I should like to discuss the widespread subject of parcels, bags, wallets, sacks and the like. For example, the haversack. When did it first come into use? Or the snapsack? Or the Townsman's Wallet? Frankly, I would like images and historical examples of the earliest use of every item used as luggage or purse, i.e., haversacks, hunting bags, wallets, pouches, ditty bags, snapsacks, etc. Any help would be appreciated and period sources would be most appreciated.
Last reply by LadyBrower, -
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Has anyone done any research on dental hygiene of the period? Seems like I've heard about everything else but that. Were there things available like toothbrushes (or something similar), etc.?
Last reply by Mission, -
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This is a self portrait by the artist Godfried Schalcken (1643-1706), painted circa 1670. Clearly not a sailor, and it's a bit prior to the GAOP, but it does show the ol' gold hoop earring worn for fashion's sake...I throw it out there for those who are seeking alternative controversial debates to the Boots. Enjoy! :)
Last reply by Swashbuckler 1700, -
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I'm reading Colin Woodard's Republic of Pirates (good stuff, that) and came to thinking: Olivier La Buse* was cruising in 1716 with Hornigold, and was later with John Taylor at the capture of the Nossa Senhora do Cabo in 1721. That's a piratical career of five years as captain. Bartholomew Roberts, often cited as one of the longest serving Golden Age captains, lasted less than half that long. Of course, the fact that La Buse was a captain in 1716 and was one in 1721 doesn't mean he spent the whole intervening time as a captain; he could have been deposed and re-elected several times. Foxe mentioned in another thread that La Buse at one point replaced Jasper Seagar as …
Last reply by RoyalJames, -
I am preparing for my next pirate-related project. Using only hand tools, I'd like to build a seaman's chest and, for lack of a better term, a "treasure chest" (wooden strong box). I have a few questions, but would like to solicit as much information as possible. My kit thus far is more theatrical than historical, but I would like to at least pass the ten-foot-rule with these two boxes. About how big was a seaman's chest? About how big should I make a "treasure chest". I'm simply not equipped to work in wought iron. Any suggestions on how to simulate iron bands on the treasure chest? Can anyone provide links to photos of the genuine article? Thanks in advance. …
Last reply by Captain Huntsman, -
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kevid duffus just released his new book. anyone have a chance to take a peek yet. i'll be reading it this weekend and can't wait to talk to him at the blackbeard festival. the highlights are ed baerd may have been a carolina native and explains this possiblility through land deeds and birth/death/marriage certificates. he also has a section on the women in his life. As with any historical work 200 years later, we all have to take it at face value. but it certainly does make you think a little differently.
Last reply by Mission, -
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I thought there was a discussion addressing this, but I cannot find it via the search function. If anyone can point me to it, I would be much obliged. So, when off boat and out on foot (Morgan and Dampier, for example) how was fire made? Did the buccaneers carry flint & steel? What about ECW soldiers?
Last reply by Mission, -
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Ooh...this is beautiful. An ivory handled surgical set. Apparently it was for show, according to the description on the website selling it. http://antiquescientifica.com/surgical_set...e_full_open.jpg
Last reply by Mission, -
Who are we? Are we jolly rogues like Jack Sparrow and Robert Newton's Silver or are we hard characters like Charlton Heston's Silver or Will Plunket from "Plunket and MacLeane"? Do we wnat to be liked by the people who see us or do we want to show a more accurate portrayal of the black underbelly of society? Do we need the public as an audience or is the mere portrayal for ourselves enough? In all cases, I would answer the latter. It's a question I've asked on other 18th century boards. There seems to be a general attitude of putting our forbears on some sort of pedestal and refusing to acknowledge the reality. Pirates were jolly folk who only fought and killed whe…
Last reply by Cascabel, -
Hello folks! A discussion in another thread made me think of something on the car drive home today. Often we justify what we have in our kit with the words "I'm a pirate. I stole it." It occured to me that I hear this a lot in another group of people I hang around with: The Landsknechts. For those of you who don't know, the Landsknechts were mercenaries of the Holy Roman Emperor in the early 16th century (that's Germany, not Italy, for those of you not up on your 16th century place names). Anyway, these guys were fearsome mercenaries and they were allowed to keep whatever they plundered. So in Landsknecht reenactment groups, we often hear the justification: "I too…
Last reply by Swashbuckler 1700, -
Agreed. Come to this side of the pond Hurricane, I'll see your Old Maui and raise you Hanging Johnny... While this is getting way off topic, I'd like to add a thought or two about shanties. Firstly, there are some jolly good shanties that aren't necessarily whaling songs, but I certainly agree that most of them, and all of the better known ones, date from the 19th century, or, at best, possibly the very late 18th. Either way, they're out of period. Now, I wonder about the reason for the lack of earlier shanties. It has been suggested that earlier sailors didn't really sing them, but it seems unlikely that one day in 1785 a sailor said "gee, I know we've been at t…
Last reply by William Brand, -
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Wondering - I would like to secure my pipe, feathers, etc. more securely on my hat. I've noticed some Tricorns have a "X" of some type of string material on one side. Any side correct? What is the material? How does it fasten behind? Is it two pieces or one? Anyone have history on this? Pictures? Thanks!
Last reply by Swashbuckler 1700, -
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You have seen them in the movies, you have seen them in paintings and woodcarvings; the short braid or tail worn on the back of the head. But how do they Wrap them in black? I have read that some sailors used eel skin as it be water proof and the purpose of wrapping the queue was to prevent the salt from the ocean spray from building in the braid then drying out and becoming abrasive on the neck. I have read that landlubbers and gents would wrap them with silk ribbon or cloth, there is even one mention of a "silk pouch" being used that would cover the whole queue including the tip. But what I can not find is just HOW the wrap would be made, sure enough to last the whole…
Last reply by Swashbuckler 1700, -
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I looked for a generic topic on battle prep and couldn't find one, so I thought I'd just create a catch all topic. At present, I am reading Abraham Crowley's journal Crowley's Voyage Round the Globe as included in William Hacke's A collection of original voyages (1699). Crowley served with Dampier and Lionel Wafer under Bartholomew Sharp. Here, he is talking about a Dutch East Indiaman preparing for battle when the spot the ship Crowley is on. I thought the description was sort of neat. "Most of the Men were got on shoar, but seeing a strong Ship standing in toward the Road, they instantly repaired all on board, clapping a pring upon the Cable, heaved her broad-side to…
Last reply by Mission, -
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Swashbuckler 1700 was sharing some images of Blas de Lezo with me. Señor de Lezo was a Spanish Commander active during the Golden Age of Piracy. (Wiki notes that he defended the city of Cartagena de Indias against the British Admiral Vernon (of grog invention fame) in a 1741 battle which was a turning point in the War of Jenkin's ear. I mention this only to bring up the War of Jenkin's Ear again, a war which continues to fascinate me. But I digress...) Although he was not a pirate, Blas appears to have lost one of each of the standard pirate-associated missing body parts: an arm, a leg and an eye. This led me to wonder... Where the heck did the eye patch-pirate associat…
Last reply by Mission, -
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Pop Culture seems to be obsessesed with the idea of a so called "Pirate King" from One Piece's Gold Roger to Captain Teague and then Elizabeth Swan from Pirates of the Caribbean, and many in between. So my question is this mates.... What real life pirate came closest to achieving the legendary Status that all these fictional Pirate Kings possess, wether through ships plundered, what they accomplished, how many vessels they commanded, or other criteria?
Last reply by Dread Pyrate Greyhound, -
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I have been noticing in the many pictures of people in their garb that so often it looks too new. (nothing against those who are out there putting stuff together, you all seem to be doing a great job) I am just wondering how many pirates would have slops that were still white, or not stained with at least 'tar' somewhere? or patched? Are there any of you out there who have found good ways of distressing your garb? Anyone ever try to simulate or actually give the kit some powder burns to simulate close combat? I would guess that a pirate would want his stuff in good repair, not run around in rags if he could help it, but unlike today where a stain will get an item d…
Last reply by theM.A.dDogge, -
The topic of "jumps" has been glossed over in several threads but it has never been fully debated on. Since there is no time like the present, let the debate begin. I've been trying to dig up as many references to jumps as I could and this is what I found so far. Unfortunately, I don't have a scanner to post the pictures of the referenced items. Dictionary of 18th Century Clothing Terms: From the Northwest Territorial Alliance http://www.nwta.com/patterns/pdfs/111dict.pdf JUMP, JUMPE, JUMP- COAT (F.) Usually in the plural as “Jumps”; a loose unboned bodice worn instead of stays for comfort or during pregnancy. “Bought my wife a new pair of jumps instead of stays.” (…
Last reply by Jack Roberts, -
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I wondered when did the tradition of scrubbing ship's deck with sandstone started. The sandstone used for that was later called "holystone" but the date when that tradition begun is not easy to find. I think the meaning for that scrubbing, besides the cleaning, was to prevent the planks of being shrunk by watering the deck. But I am not completely sure so feel free to correct me if you want.
Last reply by Captain Jim,