Elena

I am thinking and praying and wish you best of luck!

I agree with this too. I know they were. My pirate captain, Sol, who is from Veracruz, is playing the local requinto jarocho, a smaller, 4-chord guitar, and another South American character of mine, a mercenary, Chago (born in Nueva Granada - now Venezuela) is playing a similar local small 4-chord guitar, cuatro llanero.

And my roleplaying games which are different (not video, play-by-post) but they are also interesting... or rather more interesting because each player's imagination is the only limit (well, besides historical accuracy, because we are striving for it, this is why they are no-fandom. Even if "Beat to Quarters" might be slightly inspired from Hornblower and Bolitho series, but not visibly). Before discovering this forum, whichhas some interesting historical aspects, I used the forum of the "Pirates of the Burning Sea" for some documentation. They have good stuff too and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Well, I'd have an answer, but the people would complain that I am biased - I'd recommend you to join my pirate captain's crew and start the plundering with a Spanish galleon. It has lots of silver bars inside... (In each of the two games linked in my signature there is such a galleon, as they were the most sought prey of those times, but the naval strategy used to get it is different, and the ships are different too).

Thanks, it helps me too (but not the pirate characters - the Navy one helps the Doctor sometimes as a loblolly boy).

The West Indies were colonies of France, Britain, Spain and Holland. Therefore, what was in fashion in that time in the mother country, arrived to the colonies 1 year later too! Including musical instruments. Red Dawn, I would like to know more about your Haitian pirate... I might find her a place aboard the "Caribbean Siren" if you want to spend some time with us "Before the Mast" .

Welcome from a weeks-older newbie, too!

It's the same English pound, I think. We call it Sterling Lira and in many other Latin-origin countries the name sounds similar. I guess it has the same origin with "livre" indeed. And my post was for England. In the Caribbean I understood that Spanish money were more circulating in all the colonies, French, Dutch or English

We don't have a car, but I know cars who had strange names. My husband had a moped (it was stolen). She was called Cutie, because her series name was ending with QT9. My friend had a green one who was called Coco (like in parrot green); she has now a grey Honda called the Cricket (because crickets are grey metal).

The source was there, listed, but you missed it. And the soldiers' pay is still there but another page, you'll see the link once you open it. I perceive my pay in kind. Namely, in gaining potential crew for my games listed in my signature - both Age of Sail RPGs. (Yes, who hears me would say I did it only interested... No, I didn't. But it was one among the links in our ressource pages I compiled.)

Glad to meet you! And... don't be a stranger, come more often!

4 farthings = one penny (d) (remember that 'farthing' was originally 'fourth-ing') 2 halfpennies = one penny (d) (pronounced hay-pennies) 12 pence = one shilling (s) Ten shillings and sixpence ("ten and six") = half a guinea Twenty shillings = one pound £ Twenty-one shillings = one guinea This system was in operation until British decimalization in 1970. Imagine the difficulty of working a calculation such as If the price of gold chain is 5/4 (five shillings and fourpence) an inch, what is the price of 12 1/2 yards? The symbol £ (Hopefully the symbol shows up on your computer) Is the British monetary pound. It is a capital letter L in script with two short horizontal bars across the stem (akin to the dollar sign as an S with vertical bar or bars). The L represents 'libra', the dollar sign 'solodus' from the old European monetary system of Libra:solidus:denarius. 'Pence' or 'pennies'? Prices would be described in pence: "The pretty flowers will cost you sixpence, your honour." Individual coins would be referred to as pennies."I have tenpence in my purse, but one of the pennies is bad." Banknotes of £10 and £15 had first been issued in 1759, followed by notes for £100 and even £1000 1/2d (half a penny) Half a loaf, during the gin craze earlier in the 1700s. 1d (one penny) Enough gin to get drunk on. A day's allowance of coal. 1 1/2d A pound of soap (by no means as gentle as today's soap, for it might contain traces of lye). Hourly rate for a boy to chop firewood 2d (tuppence) Enough gin to get dead drunk on: as the old advertising saw goes, "Drunk for a penny, dead drunk for tuppence." 3d (threepence) Supper of bread, cheese and beer. Cost of blood-letting for a poor person. Cost of postage of a one-page letter going 80 miles (paid for by recipient). 4d (fourpence) A quart of beer. A boat across the river. 4d - 6d A pound of cheese (domestic). 5d A pound of hair powder. 6d (sixpence) A barber's fee for a shave and dressing of one's wig. Cost of sweeping one chimney. 6 1/4d (Sixpence farthing) Dinner for a government clerk: cold meat, bread and a pint of porter. 8d Cost of an evening at a coffee house. Turnpike toll for a coach and four horses. 8d -10d A pound of butter. 9d Cost of an almanac. 10d - 1s 1lb of fat bacon (enough for two working men). A dozen Seville oranges (not the kind we would care to eat today - nowadays they would be used for making marmalade 1s (one shilling) Dinner in a steakhouse - beef, bread and beer, plus tip. Sign-on bonus for army recruitment: The king's Shilling. Admission to Vauxhall Gardens Admission to Ranelagh Gardens (although it could be as much as 2 guineas on masquerade nights). A dish of beef at Vauxhall. 1lb of perfumed soap. Postage of a one page letter from London to New York. 1lb of Parmesan cheese. One shilling was commonly written as 1/- One and a half shillings ("one and sixpence")would be written 1/6 etc. 1s 6d Rate of window tax per window of a house with 12+ windows (1762) 2s (2/-) Cost of 12 yards of gold braid. (and you think our Guards lace is expensive!) Weekly rent of a furnished room for a tradesman. 2s 2d (2/2) Daily pay for journeyman tailors. 2s 6d (2/6) A whole pig. A tooth extraction Dinner sent in from a tavern A chicken at Vauxhall gardens A ticket to hear the rehearsal of the music for the royal fireworks at Vauxhall 2s 10d (2/10) 1lb of candles. 3s 2d A pair of men's yarn knitted stockings (knitting was fairly new) 3s 3d A barrel of Colchester oysters. 4s 6d A petticoat for a working woman. 5s (5/-) A pound of Fry's drinking chocolate. A bottle of claret at Vauxhall. A box at Drury Lane Theatre (1763). A workman's secondhand coat. 4s 9d - 6s 1lb of coffee (but tea was more expensive!) 5s 2d A pint of lavender water. 5s 7d A pair of women's worsted stockings. 6s A pair of stays for a working woman. 7s A dozen rabbits in the market. A stout pair of shoes. 7s 6d - 16s 1lb of tea. 8s A bottle of champagne at Vauxhall. 8s 8d A yard of flowered damask (you would need 15 1/2 yards for one dress). 9s Weekly wage of an unskilled laborer. A piece (14 1/2 yards) of Indian sprigged muslin. 10s Cost of Dr Johnson's just-published Dictionary 1756 10s 6d A bottle of Dr Prossilly's water for the pox (half a guinea was a common professional fee). A ticket to hear Handel's Messiah (Handel on the organ) at the Foundling Hospital. A ticket in pit or box at Theatre Royal, Covent Garden 1763. 10s 6d - 1 15s Cost of various wigs. 13s 10d A yard of Mechlin lace. 16s A pair of men's lace ruffles. 17s 4d A pair of men's silk stockings. 18s -22s Weekly wage of a journeyman tradesman 1777. 18s A wig for a clerk in a public office. A brass barometer. 18s 6d A yard of rich brocaded satin. £1 - 36s (One pound to 36 shillings) Price of carpet per square yard. £1 1s (one guinea) A fine beaver hat. Twelve French lessons. £1 9s Season ticket to Vauxhall 1742. £1 10s A pair of velvet breeches. £1 12s A pair of stout silk-knit breeches. £1 15s Monthly pay of an East India Company seaman 1762. £2 (two pounds) Annual shaving and wig-dressing contract. £2 2s (two guineas) A month's dancing lessons. £2 10s Annual pay of a ship's boy. £4 10s (Four and a half pounds) A suit of clothes for a clerk in public office. £5 A silver hilted sword. £5 5s (five guineas) A silver watch £6 Cost of a night out, including supper, a bath and a fashionable courtesan source: http://footguards.tripod.com/08HISTORY/08_costofliving.htm HOW SOLDIERS WERE PAID Army Daily Pay Scale in 1775 Gross pay… there were many "off-reckonings" or deductions for food, supplies, etc, in a complicated formula. L s d L = Pounds sterling s = shillings (20 shillings to the Pound) d = pence (12 pence to the shilling, 240 pence to the pound) Fractional coins were halfpennies (2 to the penny) and farthings (4 to the penny). Notation is what was used at the time (sometimes the dash was replaced between the three columns by a ( " ) symbol, but written in line, not above). So "1 - 10 - 4" represents "one pound, ten shillings and fourpence". When there is no Pounds amount, the sum would be written eg. "10/6" or "ten shillings and sixpence" or simply "ten and six". If shillings and no pence are written they would be denoted thus: "11/- " or "eleven shillings". Colonel & Captain Guards regiments: 1 -19 - 0 Line regiments: 1 - 4 - 0 Lieutenant Colonel & Captain Guards regiments: 1 -8 - 6 Line regiments: 17/- Major & Captain Guards regiments: 1 -4 - 6 Line regiments: 15/- Captain Guards regiments: 16/6 Line regiments: 10/- Captain Lieutenant or Lieutenant Guards regiments: 7/10 Line regiments: 4/8 Ensign (Guards) or Second Lieutenant (Line) Guards regiments: 1 -19 - 0 Line regiments: 1 - 4 - 0 Chaplain Guards regiments: 5/10 Line regiments: 3/8 Adjutant Guards regiments: 4/- Line regiments: 4/- Quartermaster Guards regiments: 4/- Line regiments: 4/8 Surgeon Guards regiments: 4/- Line regiments: 4/- Surgeon's Mate Guards regiments: 3/- Line regiments: 3/6 Drum Major Guards regiments: 1/- Line regiments: - Deputy Marshal Guards regiments: 1/- Line regiments: - Serjeant Guards regiments: 1/10 Line regiments: 1/6 Corporal Guards regiments: 1/2 Line regiments: 1/- Drummer Guards regiments: 1/2 Line regiments: 1/- Private Man Guards regiments: 10d Line regiments: 8d

Many happy returns, and may all your wishes come true! I am also offering you a Greek song about a siren (with verses translated into English) Happy birthday again, and an ocean of happiness!

Pinnaces, snows, sloops were fast and small enough to hide in channels and small bays. They were preferred by pirates. The ones who had a larger crew might prefer also a brigantine, but it was usually the largest pirate ship, and there weren't as many.

Yes, indeed. I use that link for pictures from the relevant time period (admirals', captains', etc) for the NPCs on "Before the Mast". If you are interested in varius other written resources on that time period (ship-related, but not only) you may find them at http://z7.invisionfree.com/BeforeTheMast/index.php?showtopic=1

Welcome aboard! (Glad that there are other people in their 40s around, not only me) And if you love writing about pirates, check the two games I have in my signature - maybe I get you in my pirate crew! Actually on "Before the mast", Sol would like having you as a trusted first mate or quartermaster!

Not a real sailor, but I had the opportunity, many years ago, to steer a small boat on the Danube. It didn't have the round helm, only a metal bar, and instead of the regular "compass" I have seen on bigger vessels, it had something like an indicator in front of the boat, which moved when I moved the metal bar. I was taught that in order to keep the good route I had to keep that indicator fixed on the crane visible at the horizon, in Braila Shipyard, and I did well. Sorry that my description sucks by lacking the specific English vocabulary, but maybe someone can understand my anti-technical babbling. Anyway, I was very proud of doing it! I was 19 or 20 then...

I was on the pirate boat at EuroDisney in 1997, and I liked it a lot, but it didn't fire on the fort. It was a boat among some islands, and having pirates aboard, spooking the younger kids. (well, when it started raining I was in the Indiana Jones Golden Nugget mine rollercoaster, and it got a short-circuit due to the rain, so we got taken out through the iron catacombs) And in 2007, when I was in Greece, on a small cruise around Mount Athos, a crewman dressed as a pirate and came among us to take photos with us. I am usually caught in photos with eyes wide shut (don't like flash) so my husband is joking that I had closed my eyes due to the pleasure of the pirate's touch. If I manage to get the photo scanned, I'll post it.

Dreams? A sea cruise or something... or, also, having the opportunity to participate (even watch, if nothing more ...active) at a pirate festival like you are describing... More feasible ones? To have "a crew" with whom to write all the Age of Sail adventures I'm thinking about (and many others suggested by the crew)... and also to continue writing my stories...

I have never had the occasion for cosplay or reenactment, I am writing only. So yes, they are online characters only... even if Andrea Costa (not quite in the pirate ipostase, the last part of the bio was changed to meet the online setting requirements) has been, before, my character in a few written stories. (Not online, ink and pen first, I meant, but some were transcribed on the PC. Unfortunately my Age of Sail stories aren't in English, they are in my mother tongue, Romanian.) I had a few difficulties with the specific Age of Sail and fencing vocabulary in English when I started roleplaying one year ago, but through research, I managed to overcome them.

I like the guy immensely. He's the reason I get to go to the Bahamas each year on the government's dime. A right good egg in my book. -- Hurricane (aka, Gov. Woodes Rogers) Well, on "Before the Mast" we have him too, as a NPC... and for the moment being I was playing him (here the NPCs are borrowed by aybody who needs them in a thread)

I think I might answer... as a lady who writes about two pirates. They are brave, but ready to protect a damsel in distress. They can flirt and be bold, but also play a song for the lady of their heart, in a quiet moment. And yes, some plundered silk or silver jewels wouldn't hurt either . How do they look like? The captain has as a model Eduardo Palomo in "Corazon Salvaje", and the other, Alain Delon in his youth.

I hate the pirates who leave a story in the middle of the thread and dissapear into Davy Jones' Locker without notice. If you got sick of us and want to get marrooned on a desert island, tell us at least... and take care to finish your thread / story first! And I also hate those who come to write but they don't want to make any research at all, and you can find wedding photos and pianos in their stories... hello, they weren't invented yet in 1700s! Shut that bloody bouzouki up! "Bouzouki? Where is a bouzouki?" I'd love a serenade! I'd even translate for you into English the verses of old Greek songs for this!

I am offering you all two of the theme songs I use for my characters... youtube links and translation into English. I'll start by translating the lyrics of Sol's theme song - "La cancion del pirata" by Tierra Santa, for everybody to understand The Song of the Pirate (translation into English by James Kennedy, so that it rhymes! ) The breeze fair aft, all sails on high, Ten guns on each side mounted seen, She does not cut the sea, but fly, A swiftly sailing brigantine; A pirate bark, the "Dreaded" named, For her surpassing boldness famed, On every sea well-known and shore, From side to side their boundaries o'er. The moon in streaks the waves illumes Hoarse groans the wind the rigging through; In gentle motion raised assumes The sea a silvery shade with blue; Whilst singing gaily on the poop The pirate Captain, in a group, Sees Europe here, there Asia lies, And Stamboul in the front arise. "Sail on, my swift one! nothing fear; Nor calm, nor storm, nor foeman's force, Shall make thee yield in thy career Or turn thee from thy course. Despite the English cruisers fleet We have full twenty prizes made; And see their flags beneath my feet A hundred nations laid. My treasure is my gallant bark, My only God is liberty; My law is might, the wind my mark, My country is the sea. There blindly kings fierce wars maintain, For palms of land, when here I hold As mine, whose power no laws restrain, Whate'er the seas infold. Nor is there shore around whate'er, Or banner proud, but of my might Is taught the valorous proofs to bear, And made to feel my right. My treasure is my gallant bark, My only God is liberty; My law is might, the wind my mark, My country is the sea. Look when a ship our signals ring, Full sail to fly how quick she's veered! For of the sea I am the king, My fury's to be feared; But equally with all I share Whate'er the wealth we take supplies; I only seek the matchless fair, My portion of the prize. My treasure is my gallant bark, My only God is liberty; My law is might, the wind my mark, My country is the sea. I am condemned to die !I laugh; For, if my fates are kindly sped, My doomer from his own ship's staff Perhaps I'll hang instead. And if I fall, why what is life? For lost I gave it then as due, When from slavery's yoke in strife A rover! I withdrew. My treasure is my gallant bark, My only God is liberty; My law is might, the wind my mark, My country is the sea. My music is the Northwind's roar; The bellowings of the Black Sea's shore, And rolling of my guns. And as the thunders loudly sound, And furious the tempests rave, I calmly rest in sleep profound, So rocked upon the wave. My treasure is my gallant bark, My only God is liberty; My law is might, the wind my mark, My country is the sea. (listen to it at )And a song of the French corsairs, which had circulated in many versions for many years, each talking about another corsair and ships of another dimension (the number of cannons, e.g., varies up to double from a song to another). Lastly it was attributed to the taking of "Kent" by Robert Surcouf in 1800, but then it was Napoleon's time, and the toast "To the health of the King of France" lasts definitely for fifty years earlier at least. On the thirty-first of August "On the thirty-first of August We saw approaching under sail An English frigate Cutting through the sea and the waves In order to attack Bordeaux. Chorus: Let's drink a cup, la la, let's drink in two draughts, To the health of true lovers; To the health of the King of France, And damned be the King of England, Who has declared war on us! The commander of the ship Summoned his lieutenant: "Lieutenant, do you feel able, Do you feel strong enough To board and take the Englishman?" The proud and hardy lieutenant Replied, "Yes, Captain; Call all hands to their stations: I shall hoist our colours, Which will stay aloft, we swear it." The master blew his whistle To call all hands on deck: All was made ready for the boarding, Hardy topmen, proud sailors, Brave gunners, wee cabin boys. Turning our back to the wind as we came up. I boarded her at her forepart; With hatchet and grenade, With pike, sabre and musketoon, Quick as a flash I had her all in order. What will they say of the great big tub, In Brest, in London, and in Bordeaux, That let its crew be taken By a ship with eleven cannons, When it had sixty good ones! " (listen to the song at )) And you might like one for a mercenary too - "La Cruz de Santiago" by "Mago de Oz" (which I understood it was dedicated initially to Captain Alatriste) He wasn’t the most honest man, but he Was a brave and loyal man. Nonetheless, mercy didn’t take shelter inside him. He lived poorly, hiring for three coins His sword and dagger, In less bright business with worse purposes. There were hard times and one had to seek his bread. The sword, the roguery and threat were ruling then. The steel sparkles in his hand the sweat pearls on his face - He will go where the sea has no ruler! He will go seeking… Against his back, a shadow Was following his footsteps Without missing any detail, Seeming to learn. His gaze reflected calm and peace, His deep and familiar voice Told ancient legends. Something mysterious envelopped him They say he was feeding on the folk stories about him. The Cross of Santiago brights on his chest, In the sun rays. He never uncovered his face, He hid his name. In the weaving of the Time, In the knotting of dreams A voice is choking: “Don’t believe everything you see, Take into account only your intuition, And if you foster any doubt You’ll never find consolation inside you! Launch well your given facts Because the road game has started! Sharpen your skills, help yourself with magic, use the tarot Read in the soul of the forest And guess where death did hide! The steel sparkles in his hand the sweat pearls on his face - He will go where the sea has no ruler! The Cross of Santiago brights on his chest, In the sun rays. He never uncovered his face! (listen to it at ))

Well, I know a keyboard which happened to drink Cola and a printer which drank Fanta... I had to buy another keyboard in order to use it.