William Brand

Cutthroat Island. I liked it when it came out, but made the mistake of watching it years later. I could go all my days without seeing it again. Treasure Planet grew on me. I've always been a Treasure Island fan, so it had to grow no me. I watch it all the time with my son. Polanski's Pirates is a personal favorite, but I only ever watch it with large groups of friends. It's more fun with more people. I'm with Mark when it comes to Swashbuckler.

You're never too late. Now find a CSTS event in your area and go! http://www.cantstoptheserenity.com/2011events/

That's my very next must, and anyone who knows me, knows that I recommend a stick or a cudgel at every event. We bring a pile of fresh sticks or bamboo every time we muster as the Mercury. I keep a wonderful apple wood walking stick right here by my desk.

That is wicked. In the 'very cool' sense of wicked. Or cool, in the 'very wicked' sense of cool. It's interchangeable.

Thanks for letting me know my message folder is full, and you make a good point in your email, which I'll boil down to one question. Where does on go to get great, minimum garb, if one can't make it one's self? Short answer. Here on the Pub. If you ever need a shirt, slops, shoes or anything else. Just ask. There are actually a number of people who will help you make garb or make it for you for a reasonable fee. In fact, there are some amazing shirt, slops, waistcoat makers here on the Pub. I'd name a few right now, but that might put them on the spot and I don't know if they are currently accepting orders or not, so I'll ask about. Also, if you see a great outfit at an event, ask the person wearing it. People are proud to tout their work and the work of fellow pirates. If you see it, chances are you can get the information of the tailor or tailors that made it.

Once more with feeling. Somebody please replicate that hilt.

I play William Brand, a man who spent part of his childhood and teens in the Middle East. Why do I use the Middle East as part of Brand's background? Because it is part of mine, and it's easy to speak about what I know. Have I considered having some clothing from Egypt, The Sinai or Palestine? Yes, but it would be impractical for Brand to wear something that fit him when he was 17, now that he is twice that age. Also, it would be quite old by now, and if he cherished it at all, he would probably have it bundled in the bottom of a sea chest. Also, he would have been moved to buy new things over the course of his time, just like I have. The only things I still possess from my youth and my time in the Middle East are small objects of importance, not clothing. Brand has two knives that were gifted to him while he lived there, and these he has kept all his days. He also has a prayer rug that was gifted to him when he was young, but no clothing to speak of. Even a short stint in Spain did not affect his taste in clothing. Having been born of English environs, and having left the Middle East to live in the Western World, he now dresses as similarly as anyone else one might find in the Caribbean and the Colonies. If he returned to the Middle East he is just as likely as I am to re-adopt the local dress, but like me, Brand buys new clothing as old clothing gets worn. He buys it where he lives or where he is. I could go on about my personal views on interpretation, but I try to remain pragmatic, and when I see a pirate dressed entirely in red and black leather all that I can think is "Where would a sailor buy that 'off the rack'in 1714?", and even more, "How is it that a GAoP sailor is wearing a tunic and bag of 1611, boots and a baldric from 1660, a hat from 1710, a pistol from 1750 and a cutlass of 1812? Is he traveling in time?" These thoughts are not meant to judge the individual, nor his/her taste, but as a student and fan of the historic, I'm distracted by a single costume that covers 200+ years in one go. Mind you, I love a good distraction if distraction is the point. I've seen some fanciful interpretations that are fun, well executed and crafted to a fine degree of individuality. However, this thread is about discussing the authentic and my favorite 'minimum garb standards' are Patrick Hand and Cran Ohlandt. Their kit is so 'common' that I think of them as the consummate pirates. They're so fantastically simple as to stand out. If less is more, they are the most. Patrick knows how to make kit that he can carry and kit that carries him without overwhelming 'Patrick'. His kit is simple enough that we still see him. The same goes for Cran. We see the person. We see the man as he his. Sailor. Laborer. Pirate. A working man of the GAoP. Perfect. Brand is a bit more...Brand. He's seen the world. He's been a Captain a time or two. He's rubbed elbows with men of great power and men of very lowly station. He's a mixed bag. I try to play him as he is. A man who has seen much, lived well, known a modest affluence, had and lost, and is as adaptable in his environment as a man can and should be. I feel that a good historic kit allows you to be a part of thing without trying to be all of a thing. I often see 'crews' where every pirate looks the same. Every single one of them looks like an affluent, outspoken, dramatic copy of the other, but few if any of them look like sailors. I can't tell the ship's doctor from the cooper or the able seaman. I don't see a crew when I look at some 'crews', so much as a see a cast for a play. Whereas when I look at my own crew (not to brag, but it will sound like bragging anyway) I see very common sailors, tradesman, and some men of position and learning. There is a variety that can only endure if some hobbyists are willing to play the most important part of the crew...sailors. I could play a Quartermaster til the cows come home, but I'd look pretty lonely doing it without 'crew'. And not just any crew, but a crew that looks the part. Minimum Garb actually makes the hobby what it is. We need minimalist able seaman in the hobby just as much as a ship needed them. We need more of them. We need plain, honest to goodness working sailors. And since I'm in danger of drifting from the point... My biggest Minimum Garb Standard gripe? The sailor's knife. I know it isn't garb, but if you don't have a knife, how can you not feel naked? If I had a dime for every 'pirate' or 'sailor' that didn't have that most basic tool of the trade, I'd have enough money to buy them one. If you don't have a sailor's knife, get a knife! It's THE tool. Pistols are well and good, but every sailor needs a knife. It's a weapon, eating utensil, tool, and a resume. Nothing says more about a sailor then a well kept and well used knife. Besides, why wouldn't you want a knife? Knives are cool. Do you want to be the only able Seaman without a knife? If you aren't sure, then I'll tell you. No. You don't want to be that sailor. Get a knife! Once you have a shirt, slops and shoes, get a knife. Now back to our regularly scheduled thread.

You're just two and a half hours from the Fort de Chartres event. https://picasaweb.google.com/williamtpace/FortDeChartresJune5201002?authkey=Gv1sRgCNDboLvDq6HrIQ#

Aye. The Crew of the Mercury gathers for the Fort de Chartres event. You'd be welcome to join us. There are river pirates there as well.

Welcome aboard, Mister Smythe. Where do you find yourself landlocked?

Welcome aboard!

A very happy birthday, Jon!

Thank you, Bo. I appreciate the use of the tent again. If the weather turns, you both could use it too. It's a huge tent. We could probably get half the pirates under that thing.

NnnnnnooooooOOOOOOOO!

Excellent news. I hope that everything will work out so that you can attend.

That's a beauty. A good and proper boarding axe.

It's great to see shots from this event. Thank you.

Here here! Congratulations!

Welcome to the chaos!

Welcome aboard, Matthew. Glad to see another pirate in the community.

Done.

Fantastic pictures!

Just a refreshing of the topic. We're just over two months out now (June 4-5). http://www.ftdechartres.com/page/page/3373941.htm

Welcome aboard!

Excellent images from the event. It's almost like being there, but more like not being there at all and wishing that I had been and will be.