William Brand

Was but a play.

January 13 - On this day in 1690, English Pirate Thomas Pound was initially found guilty for acts of piracy. However, he was later reprieved. He was sent to England, where he was later released and eventually gained command of his own ship, before his death in 1703. Also on this day in 1722, the Weekly Journal reported: "That several pirate ships infested the coast [off Martinique] where one carrying 30 guns and 400 men some days before had engaged two French men-of-war. She caried a black flag at her topmasthead. The action took place off Monserrat but she got away from them and bore away from Antegoa. That 5 men were newly come in there that did belong to Inwen, captain Ross, from Cork, Ireland, having on board 600 barrels of beef besides other provisions which ship was taken off Martinique by a pirate sloop well mounted with guns and 140 men. That colonel Doyly of Montserrat with his family was on board the said vessel and was very much cut and wounded by the pirates. That 21 of these brutes had forced a woman passenger successively, afterwards broke her back and flung her into the sea."

performer

January 12 - On this day in 1702, in North America, ships from Fort Maurepas arrive at Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff to build Fort Louis de la Mobile (future Mobile, Alabama) to become the capital of French Louisiana.

Bourbon. (I have no idea why I thought this first)

Welcome back aboard.

January 11 - John Evens of Wales began piracy with some chosen fellows, rowing out of Port Royal, Jamaica, in a canoe, September 1722. They landed at night and took to petty thieving from two houses. In Dun’s Hole they stepped aboard a Bermuda sloop lying at anchor and told the crew bluntly that from now on John Evans was master of this ship, “which was a Piece of News they knew not before.” As a treat for the crew, John Evans spent three pistols “of liquid refreshment” at the local inn. Everyone there like him so much that he was invited to call again. Which he readily did the same night. He then rifled the house, taking away all his men and he himself could carry. They set sail for Hispaniola in this sloop now called Scowerer with a crew of 30. The first prize of “extraordinary” value was a Spanish sloop which, after having sold the cargo, enabled each man to cash in a summa of 150 pounds. Beating up for the Windward Islands, they took a 120-ton ship from New England, plundered her and took out the mate and three other men. Then, on this day in 1723, they seized the 200-ton Lucretia and Catherine and “began to take upon themselves the Distrubution of Justice, examining the Men concerning their Master’s usage of them, according to the Custom of other Pyrates”. The cruise brought them to the island of Aruba where they met a Dutch sloop, “and so making her their prize, they plunder’d her of what came, when shar’d, to 50 Pounds a Man.” Piracy was not bad at all for Evans, capturing prize after prize, but Lady Luck choose his boatswain, a noisy, surly character, always looking for trouble, even with his captain, to become his undoing. Evans responded with fervent glee so the boatswain challenged his superior to fight it out ashore with sword and pistol. The Boatswain refused to fight when the boat was near the shore. Evans took his cane and had him polished and scrubbed high and dry. Suddenly the boatswain drew his pistol and shot Evans through the head. Stone dead. The boatswain jumped overboard to swim frantically for his freedom but the Scowerer’s brought him back. Now the gentlemen of fortune, provoked by the death of their captain who had so much blessed them with good luck, should decide the man’s future. Tired of waiting so long, the chief gunner stepped forward and shot the boatswain. “But not killing him outright, the Delinquent in very moving Words, desired a Week of Repentance only.” Another pirate had not such a patience, without more ado shot him dead. The plunder of close to 9,000 pounds sterling was divided among the crew, after this session the expedition broke up.

January 10 - On the morning of January 10, 1720, the sloop Philippa lay anchored in the Laquary Roads at Tobago, with her captain below suffering from gout. When the mate came on deck he immediately rushed back for pistols and other arms, because a canoe was approaching the sloop. The mate ordered shots fired and cried out warnings not to come any nearer. Someone from the canoe shouted back that they were going to board and if there was any more firing no quarter would be given, so Philippa's crew shut up and the pirates clambered on board. Their leader, Thomas Anstis, swaggeringly informed the captain his sloop was impounded. It was recorded that Anstis was the worst type of pirate, attacking when peril was at its least, but in victory, vicious. And on this day in 1722, One of Ned Low's forced men, named Christopher Atwell, was taken out of the ship Greyhound.

Sure, Daniel, compound my curiosity with more curiosity.

We're forced to be more outwardly social than the social networks. If it's harder to do, it's more period correct.

I'm still curious to know who has found the most accurate paper. I've used a number of various laid papers in limited rag content, but I'm always on the lookout for something better.

It fits on a bumper sticker.

The list just keeps growing. Our wide spread dispersal across North America is making us a force of 'attendance'. We're everywhere.

January 9 - On this day in 1675, Dixon (aka Smith), one of Cusack’s men was hanged “for taking, and robbing two ships, viz. the Robert, near the Fly: and the Anne on the Dogger-Sands.” It is believed that he died alongside William Collingswood.

Well, with the show airing very soon, it will be interesting to see if it draws people here to the Pub again.

Crew of the Mercury Back in 2007, regular attendees at the Fort Taylor Pirate Invasion formed a careening camp crew called the Mercury, so that participants traveling from all parts of North America would have a crew to encamp with when attending the festival in Florida. Since that time our numbers have grown and we have attended as a crew at other events across North America and Europe. We still meet every year at Fort Taylor, as well at regular events in Ohio, Illinois, Florida, and elsewhere. You can find more information about us here on the Pub - http://pyracy.com/index.php/forum/101-mercury-crew/ - and on Facebook under the heading "Crew of the Mercury". Our crew is spread out all over North America and we regularly re-enact the early 1700s.

I was recently reviewing some old posts about crew searches and existing groups and thought I'd start an ongoing list of all active crews around the world. If you have an active pirate crew that attends events both public and private, please tell us about them here and we'll add them to the list. Please list any pertinent website or contact information, as well as what events you might attend. New pirates are always looking for local crews to join and/or associate with around the globe. Sound off and let us know about regular updates to your crew, and invite other crews that you know of to make themselves known here. Brotherhood of the Crossed Bones Catalog of Crews 82nds REVENGE (MISSOURI) A work renaissance performance group traveling the Midwest performing at ren faires. Our main focus is live steel and living history. We have and are looking for individuals for our group that are skilled in the peaceful arts, including but not limited to cooking, wood crafting, sewing , black smithing, armoring, brewing, and painting/drawing. ANCIENT CITY PRIVATEERS (FLORIDA) They provide fun, educational, and historical activities in a safe, clean, and family oriented environment for people of all ages. Their mission is to help people learn about maritime history of St. Augustine, Florida. ARIZONA CORSAIRS (ARIZONA) Incorporating the theme of pirates and piracy in all forms for our enjoyment and the the enjoyment of the public. ATLANTA PIRATE & WENCHES (GEORGIA) Drinkin', pillagin' and other acts of debauchery BLACKBEARD'S CREW BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSSED BONES (TEXAS) BROTHERHOOD OF THE GULF (TEXAS) CHARLES TOWNE FEW (EAST COAST/CAROLINAS) To increase knowledge of our period (1690-1820), acquire authentic period dress, living history and the sweet trade from Georgia to North Carolina. CREWE OF THE ARCHANGEL (EAST COAST) Living Historians dedicated to accurately portraying early Colonial Maritime History and the Golden Age of Pyracy. CREW OF THE SCAVENGER (South West Florida) Living History group. CREW OF THE THUNDERKISS (LOUISIANA) We're a social group of Pirate Wenches, Pirates and like minded folk out of New Orleans. CURSED FEW (GEORGIA) Working together with other pirates in the area to support different events, such as 'The Southern Pirate Festival' and the 'Tybee Island Pirate Festival'. DEVIL'S BROOD PYRATES (CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES) We do anything from re-enactments to performing, with a required certain level of historical authenticity FERNANDINA PIRATES CLUB (FLORIDA) Promoting our annual 'Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival' and the community at large and try to do our part to better life in our charming little seaport town. FORSAKEN PYRATES (GREAT LAKES) Pyrates, Privateers, Pyrate Hunters and presently gathering supplies and allies round the Great Inland Seas....we are whatever pays the better. GREAT LAKES RIVER PIRATES (GREAT LAKES) To educate in Matters regarding River Piracy as it was practiced inland on the Lakes and Rivers of the 18th and early 19th C. HALF MOON MARAUDERS () We are a living history group dedicated to the golden age of piracy. We aim for historical accuracey, but we aim for fun first and foremost. JADE DRAGON PIRATES (CANADA) Performers, entertainers, characters, fighters MERCURY (NORTH AMERICA) Portraying late 17th and early 18th century pirates and medicine PIRATES OF THE DARK ROSE (EAST COAST) Pirates fer Hire, specializing in Cannons, Blades, and Birds PIRATES OF Ill REPUTE (COLORADO) PIRATES OF NORTH TEXAS (TEXAS) PIRATES OF ONSLOW BAY (NORTH CAROLINA) Pirate group PIRATES OF THE TREASURE COAST (FLORIDA) Pirate themed festival, parties and corporate events PIRATES OF TREASURE COVE (CALIFORNIA) PORT ROYAL BUCCANEERS (FLORIDA) Theatrical & historical re-enactors showcasing the Golden Age of Piracy, as experienced in Port Royal Jamaica. PORT TORTUGA "TORTUGANS" (?) PRESENTING THE PAST (FLORIDA) Interactive historic character presentations and courses PYRATES OF THE COAST (WASHINGTON) Pirates and a pirate band ready to take your guests on a rollicking nautical adventure of a lifetime RHODE ISLAND PIRATE PLAYERS (Pirates of the New England Coast) (NEW ENGLAND COAST) RESURRECTION (UPPER MIDWEST) Historical fiction pirates, buccaneers and smugglers utilizing historical realism between 1660 to 1770 mixed with pirate lore, sea myths, Hollywood legend & novel fiction. ROVING FLEET (CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES) A chapter of the Devil's Brood Pyrates with emphasis on travel through the U.S. as vendors and Performers SAN DIEGO PIRATE COALITION (CALIFORNIA) Gambling, sword fighting, pillaging, or simple things like dressing in Renaissance Fair themed outfits and/or talking like a pirate. SEARLE'S BUCCANEERS (FLORIDA) Historic English & Spanish re-enactments from 1513 to 1702 TALES OF THE SEVEN SEAS (CALIFORNIA) Pirate re-enactments, fairs, promotional events charitable benefits, festivals, and much more VIGILANT CREW (MARYLAND) The Vigilant Crew is based out of Baltimore, Maryland and focuses on naval life during the 17th and 18th centuries. WEST COAST MUTINEERS (FLORIDA) Pirate crew out of Tampa, Florida. YE PYRATE BROTHERHOOD (NEW YORK) To provide realistic portrayals of pirates and other sailors to the public

More pictures!

That's a very real possibility I hadn't thought of, and you've raised my expectations for more traffic on the Pub.

And here's one for 'cake bread', which is essentially cake. Cake Bread PERIOD: England, 17th century SOURCE: Archimagirus Anglo-Gallicus; Or, Excellent & Approved Receipts and Experiments in Cookery, 1658 "Take one Gallon of flowre, two pound of Currans, and one pound of butter or better, a quarter of a pound of sugar, a quarter of a pint of Rose-water, halfe an ounce of nutmeg, & half an ounce of Cinnamon, two egs, then warm cream, break the butter into the flower, temper all these with the creame, and put a quantity of yest amongst it, above a pint to three gallons, wet it very lide, cover your Cake, with a sheet doubled, when it comes hot out of the Oven; let it stand one hour and a half in the Oven."

"...bacon..." Whispered at me by Willie Wobble as I passed his encampment. I was so deep in thought that my mind didn't register the word til I was 30 feet away when I found myself turning on my heal. Willie was smiling as he said, "I wasn't sure you heard that."

This stupid recipe has made me crave turkey for several days. It's like stuffing AAAAND Gravy at the same time.

Thank you. Fort Taylor was part of my early birthday.

January 8 - On this day in 1676, there was an inconclusive naval battle between the French, under Abraham Duquesne, versus Dutch and Spanish forces under Michiel de Ruyter.

It was in irreverent year for things overheard at the fort and there were some funny conversations too easily taken out of context in pieces, but let's hear what you overheard.