Red Maria

It was Iron Bess who gave me the low down the auction! Didn't tell a soul lest someone else got it! We be Pirates alright!

Stinky The sword is great! Not cheaply made but not to top of the line either. The grip is covered in leather and rock solid. I don't think I'll have to worry about sweaty palms it I use it without gloves. The gaurd is stainless stel and there is no flaking off of the finish cause there is no finish. The blade's tang looks like it goes the full length of the hilt and there aren't any solder marks anywhere. The pommel is also rock soild and substantial. It looks like one could so damage with it if one is not careful. It's a good solid sword. :) The balance is very good, definately balanced for slashing. I get that fulcrum effect when I slash. The more I work with the better it feels. I have been practicing with it a few minutes a day just going through basic drills. I can't wait to try it out in actual sparring. That may have to wait till Iron Bess gets her cutlass. She ordered the same one from they same place but they sent the wrong sword. I am also looking at a couple of rapiers on the same site. Here's a link with some pics: http://www.5stardeal.com/deals/10Browse.as...words%3AFencing They are fitted with slager blades. So there not 100% authentic but they are serviceable. One's is listed as a Spanish rapier the other as an Italian rapier. The one I really like is the Reniassance rapier but when I fould out how much it weighs (6-8 lbs) I changed my mind. I am not sure my 5 ft 0 in frame could handle for any long period of time. At least not with steriods! It a beautiful sword though. Anyway I am as pleased as punch with it and will give a further review on how it functions in swordplay.

Welsh actually not Irish, but Celtic nonetheless. I forgot to add that Mannan Mac Lir is also Manx.

I had no problems whatsoever with them. I sent a check at the end of March and got the sword yesterday. I was lucky I guess. :) As far as the grip is concerned although it looks fantasy-ish it very functional. It solidly protects the hand whilst offering a good way to smack someone in the face. A sword like it was featured on the History Channel program Conquest, on pirate weapons, which Mario Perez (a sometime visitor here) was on. He maybe can authenticate it. All I know is that MR says it's a mid-17th c. cutlass circa1650.

One of my art teachers once said that when Picasso was shown a forgery of his work he made an exact copy of it. When asked why he did it he said " I can fake a Picasso as well as anyone can". It's the same cutlass as the MR one. Just shows you what a mark up some dealers will make.

I have discount coupons for Southern Faire. It allows you to buy a ticket for $10.00 rather than the usual $19.50. I have a limited amount so it will be for only 2 per person and first come first given. If you want one send me a SASE to: Maria Blumberg 1151 Oxford Rd. San Marino, Ca 91108

Oh it came today! A bit heavy more like a falchion really. On the Museum Replicas site says it a reproduction of a mid-17th c. cutlass c. 1650. The grip is firm, the gaurd substantial. I'm going to work it a bit when I get home if it's still light. I didn't think it was a good idea to weild it around the library. Got a lot of compliments from the staff especially the gaurds as I walked it out to my car though! :)

A true, colorfast, scarlet red was very expensive. It came from an insect called cochineal and it to hundreds of insects to produce the dye. It was, however, very colorfast. The other scarlet red dye that was madder. That is what the British redcoats were dyed with. It OTOH is not very colorfast and that 's the dye that fades easily. Last year when the curator was clearing out the madder bed in the herb garden she gave it to the local Revolutionar War group so they could dye their coats authentically. A cheap blue could be made with woad but a far more vibrant (and desired) hue could be made with indigo which was expensive till the late 18th c. Some shades of purple could be made cheaply but the royal purple came from a Mediterranean shellfish (forget the name) and was very expensive. I'll have to look over my natural dye material but I htink there was a recipe for true black that wasn't that expensive.

Finally got me a cutlass! Found it on e-bay for 39.99 + S&H= $53.94 The same one that sell on Museum Rplicas for $277.00. Great deal huh?! Here a picture of it: http://www.5stardeal.com/deals/10Expand.as...uctCode=20-610p

Well I'll be there because PRP are the 'official' pirates of the event. But that doesn't mean the rest of you can't come in garb and have a good time!

Nay tis the Spring Ojai Ren. Faire she be refering to not the fall Pirate Faire. I should be there with the rest of the Port Royals. So stop on by and say hello! :)

You know you could have had Therin of the Hat Matters make it into a tricorn for you. You did get it at the hat booth (the Hat Mattters) right?

The archaeology of the Mary Rose /series editor Julie Gardiner Portsmouth :The Mary Rose Trust, 2003- This is a 5 volume set that is being published out of sequence. Volumes 1 & 5 are published with v. 3 & 4 due out sometime this year. I am particularlly interested in v.3 titled Weapons of Warre. It's a bit on the technical side but many good pics of restored items.

And my favortie quote from the film Sergeant Howie : But they are... are naked! Lord Summerisle: Naturally! It's much too dangerous to jump through the fire with your clothes on

Oh Zorg that was Britt Ekland dancing around naked not Elke Sommers. I guess all thoses blond Swedish women look alike.

This thread put me in mind of an old SNL sketch titled The Adventures of Miles Cowperthwaite. I did a little search and found it. Enjoy it! The Adventures of Miles Cowperthwaite Miles Cowperthwaite.....Michael Palin First Mate Spunk.....Dan Aykroyd Captain Ned.....John Belushi Sailor # 1.....Garrett Morris Sailor #2.....Tom Davis Sailor #3.....Al Franken Dr. Pierce.....Bill Murray Mr. Tarvox.....Don Novello Madeline Warrington.....Gilda Radner Ruth Warrington.....Laraine Newman [ open on graphic: "Family Classics" ] Announcer: Tonight: "Family Classics" continues its second season, with Part II of the new Dickins novel Miles Cowperthwaite. [ dissolve to copy of book resting on tabletop ] Miles Cowperthwaite, by Charles Dickins. As told to Robert Louis Stevenson and Rafael Salbatini. [ hand turns book to first page ] Miles Cowperthwaite V/O: "The wretched birth, miserable childhood, agonizingly painful adolescence, and appallingly vile and degrading death of Miles Cowperthwaite. [ turns page to Chapter Two ] Chapter Two: 'I Am Nailed To The Hull'. "It having been determined by my benefactor that a term of service at sea would make a man, I accordingly left Pinckley Hall in the company of Captain Ned, and put out from Bristol aboard his ship The Raging Queen. Captain Ned, I learned from my shipmates, was a very manly, virile, manful person, and a firm believer in strict discipline, corporal punishment, and nude apartment wrestling. How truly strict he was, I learned on our first day out of port, when out First Mate called all hands on deck for an important announcement." [ dissolve onto scenes aboard The Raging Queen ] [ First Mate Spunk rings the deck bell ] First Mate Spunk: Alright, please, everybody, please! Welcome aboard The Raging Queen! Now, of course, I can't possibly introduce everybody, so you're just going to have to wear your little name tags. And if that's the worst thing you'll wear on this voyage, you're lucky. Now, before I introduce Captain Ned, there's some quiche over here, some salad, and some banana bread in the bowl, and there should be a brie around, if someone hasn't eaten it. And now, here is our own Captain Ned! [ Captain Ned steps up ] Captain Ned: Thank you, Mr. Spunk. Gentlemen, we have on board a young man whose name is Miles Cowperthwaite! And I have promised his guardian to teach him the man's life at sea! To show him man's ports, such as Key West and San Fransisco! I expect him to be treated manfully! Well, Miles, have you anything to say? Miles Cowperthwaite: [ stands, cheerful ] Well.. I'm very grateful for this opportunity, Captain Ned! Up 'til now, my life has been the most degrading, pathetic, soul-destroying, humiliating, awful grovel.. Captain Ned: [ interrupting ] That's enough, Miles.. [ Miles sits ] Now, men, I run a mans' ship. I will run it in a manful and masculine way! I will tolerate no men under my command who act in such a way so as to discredit their manhood and manliness! Do I make myself clear? First Mate Spunk: Three cheers for Captain Ned! [ the men cheer ] Miles Cowperthwaite V/O: "If there were any doubts as to Captain Ned's severity, they were quickly dispelled that very afternoon, when a scuffle broke out on deck." [ Spunk approaches a Sailor tanning ] First Mate Spunk: That's my tanning spot! you! You're in my spot! That's my spot! Sailor #1: You are daft! I've been here all morning. Now, run along, you are blocking my sun. First Mate Spunk: Don't you give me any back-sass, you tan tease! [ fight breaks out; Captain Ned intervenes ] Captain Ned: Is this how men act on a man's ship? Where is your manliness? Fighting on deck is a serious breach on my articles of strict discipline! I'm afraid the guilty party is in for a very severe punishment! Sailor #1: Captain.. I did indeed take Mr. Spunk's spot. I'm ready to accept my punishment.. First Mate Spunk: Captain! I threw the first blow. If anyone is to be punished, let it be me. I ask only that whatever you do, please don't put me in a tight-fitting Lassie costume and make me eat from a monogrammed dog dish. Sailor #2: [ entering ] Captain, I encouraged this fight - punish me! Make me wear nipple-pinching clothespins, sir! Sailor #3: [ entering ] Me, Captain! Punish me! Captain Ned: Stop! I've heard enough! Your manly admission of guilt is most manful. However, as your Captain, it is I who must bear the full masculine responsibility! And therefore, I will be punished. Spunk! Take me alone! I want a boiling oil rub.. [ Spunk drags Captain below decks for his punishment ] Miles Cowperthwaite V/O: "Having had no seafaring experience, I was surprised at how different the life of a sailor was from what I had imagined. Our day began at dawn, where, after a hearty breakfast, we had punishment 'til lunchtime. After lunch, there was more punishment 'til dinner. After dinner, we would pull up anchor and sail for an hour, then drop anchor again for some verbal humiliation, followed by evening punishment. I imagine that the crew is quite used to it, for in all my rounds with the ship surgeon, Dr. Pierce, I never once heard a man complain." [ Miles follows Dr. Pierce during one of his rounds ] Miles Cowperthwaite: Sir? I was thinking, wouldn't we make better progress if we was under sail 14 hours a day, and had punishment only two hours a day, instead of the other way 'round? Dr. Pierce: Miles, my boy, you have much to learn. Without strict discipline, we'd have mutiny on this ship. Miles Cowperthwaite: Oh. Dr. Pierce: [ examines his patient's knee ] Let's see. Ooh.. I don't like the looks of that leg, Mr. Tarvox. I'm afraid we'll have to take it off. Mr. Tarvox: Really? Dr. Pierce: Yes, I'm afraid so. And probably the arm, as well. Miles Cowperthwaite: [ confused ] The arm?! Why the arm, Doctor? Dr. Pierce: Well, to get the leg. Look. It's rather in the way, see? [ indicates Tarvox's arm resting on his leg ] Miles Cowperthwaite: Why can't he hold the arm out of the way. Dr. Pierce: Well, that's.. fine.. if you'd rather do that. Mr. Tarvox: Yes, sir. Please. Dr. Pierce: Okay. Now, don't worry, Mr. Tarvox, you won't feel a thing. You'll wake up, and they'll be gone. Mr. Tarvox: They? Dr. Pierce: It. It'll be gone. Uh.. I guarantee you won't know which one is missing. Mr. Tarvox: Oh. Dr. Pierce: Any preferences? [ Tarvox gives a strange look ] Good. Good. Okay, we'll take the.. the.. Miles Cowperthwaite: Leg. Dr. Pierce: ..leg.. off on Thursday, okay? First thing. You'll be fine. You'll be fine.. [ walks off to have a drink ] Miles Cowperthwaite V/O: "Perhaps this isn't the routine of an ordinary sailor: floggings, stockings, key haulings, kneeling on our knuckles, having things dropped on our heads, being pushed down stairs, and so on. But occasionally, there would be time for activities such as steering the ship, and trying to make the sails fill up with wind. Captain Ned took a warm, personal interest in my welfare, and if a night was stormy, or even mildy choppy, he would come to my cabin to comfort me." [ Captain Ned enters Miles' room as he prays beside his bed ] Miles Cowperthwaite: Oh. Captain Ned. Captain Ned: [ grinning ] Hello, Miles. Uh.. I was worried that you might be.. "frightened" by the nasty weather.. [ unbuttons the top of his pajamas ] Miles Cowperthwaite: But, Captain Ned, sir, it is perfectly calm tonight! Captain Ned: Just so.. with the stormy weather we've been having lately, I was afraid this.. sudden calm might alarm you. Because I've seen grown men - manly men, in the full pride of their manhood, grow white with terror on serene, tranquil nights as this! Miles Cowperthwaite: Oh, that is very kind of you, sir.. [ chuckles nervously ] [ Captain Ned blows out the candle besides Miles' bed, leaving the room in total darkness ] Miles Cowperthwaite V/O: "So dangerously flaccid did that night become, thus Captain Ned remained in my cabin to reassure me until dawn, when we were aroused by a shout from Mr. Spunk.." First Mate Spunk: [ peering through telescope ] Land ahoy! Land ahoy! Oh, my God, I don't know.. oh, it might be land, maybe it's another boat.. Oh, daft, it might me a cloud! No, I can't tell, this damn thing is torturing me. Oh, maybe it's a cloud, I'm not sure, oh dear! Captain Ned: [ walking up ] Mr. Spunk! Have you spied land? First Mate Spunk: I'm not sure! Somebody else get up here and look! If I say it's land, and we make for it and it's not, I'll get yelled for it! Captain Ned: Alright! [ peers through telescope ] Miles Cowperthwaite V/O: "What Mr. Spunk had sighted was not land at all, but a small, open boat. Which, upon closer inspection, was found to contain two remarkable passengers." [ two women climb onboard The Raging Queen ] Captain Ned: [ greeting them ] I am Captain Ned, of The Raging Queen! Tell me.. are there any males with you? Madeline Warrington: No. Just my sister and I. Ruth Warrington: Yes. My name is Ruth Warrington. This is my sister Madeline. We were crossing the West Indies, when pirates seized our ship. They took our entire crew prisoners. Captain Ned: [ thinking ] Hmm.. Uh.. can you tell me, were these pirates manly and verile? Madeline Warrington: They were contemptible animals, who subjected our ship's crew to the most unspeakable torture! First Mate Spunk: Do you suppose these pirates might still be anywhere in the area. Ruth Warrington: Yes. I'm afraid they may yet be very close.. Captain Ned: I see. [ runs to address his crew ] Men! There are pirates in these waters! Pirates who inflict hideous punishment to those who fall into their hands! [ crew oohs ] Now, we can turn tail and run. Or, we can take the many course, that which our manhood demands! Find these despots of discipline, and comfort them! What is your answer!! Crew: Find the pirates!! Captain Ned: So it will be done! Stand by to incur the waters! [ crew wave out to see, in search of the pirates ] Miles Cowperthwaite V/O: "Despite six months spent in the endevour, our search for the pirates proved unsuccessful. And so at length we put into port at Key West, where we took on a supply of omelet pans and did the costumes for a production of 'Take Her, She's Mine'. These were pleasant times. With Captain Ned ashore buying melons, discipline was less severe, and his trips to my cabin to comfort me less frequent. One night, however, as I lay in bed writing a letter to Lord Pinckley, I heard an unfamilair knock at my door." [ a knock at the door ] Miles Cowperthwaite: Come in? [ the Warrington sisters enter ] Ruth Warrington: Hello, Miles. We came to see if you were alright. Miles Cowperthwaite: Oh. Madeline Warrington: Yes. We were worried that the cool sea air, combined with the saltiness of the spray, and the closeness of ships in the harbor might have alarmed you. Miles Cowperthwaite: Oh. Well, that's very kind of you, but I'm not frightened! Are you alright? Ruth Warrington: Well.. these past six months at sea aboard The Raging Queen have been somewhat frightening. Miles Cowperthwaite: Begging your pardon, ma'am.. but have any of the men on board.. well.. tried to take liberties with you. Madeline Warrington: No. No, not really. Ruth Warrington: No. We haven't been harmed at all. Miles Cowperthwaite: [ happy ] Oh! Well, ma'am, I suspect that's due to the discipline Captain Ned employs on this ship! For this crew is an unsavory lot! Madeline Warrington: Yes, I suspect so. [ removing clothes ] Hey, Miles, it is terribly hot in here! Ruth Warrington: Isn't it, Madeline? [ removes her clothes as well ] Miles Cowperthwaite: Oh, it's alright for me! Madeline Warrington: Perhaps we can comfort you, then, Miles? [ Captain Ned enters; the girls jump up ] Captain Ned: Hello, Miles. Miles Cowperthwaite: Oh! Captain Ned! Captain Ned: Hello, Miss Warrington. Miss Warrington. Miles, I hurried back, as, uh.. I was afraid that the excitement of the last several months at sea, combined with the change of seasons might have alarmed you. Miles Cowperthwaite: Oh, that's very kind of you, Captain.. Ruth Warrington: Excuse me, Captain, but we were comforting Miles. Madeline Warrington: Wait! Perhaps we can all comfort Miles! [ a look of distress falls upon Miles' face ] Captain Ned: Very well. I see nothing unmanly in that. [ the three of them undress and climb into Miles' bed ] Miles Cowperthwaite V/O: "Of all that I have suffered since going to sea, nothing could compare to the constant comforting of Captain Ned and the Warrington sisters. And I resolved to escape from The Raging Queen at the first opportunity." [ show Miles walking across the ship in disguise ] "One night, while the crew was below doing exercises to flatten their stomachs, I stole the Second Mate's coat, collected my few belongings, and lowered myself over the mast." [ Miles jumps overboard ] "A war took place after I hit the water. I have very little recollection. I was evidently quite ill for a very long time, and the next thing I remember seeing was the friendly face of Dr. Pierce." Dr. Pierce: He's coming around.. Ruth Warrington: Oh, thank God! Miles Cowperthwaite: [ dazed ] Where am I? Madeline Warrington: You're back on board The Raging Queen, Miles. Dr. Pierce: Yes. You were very lucky. One of the crew saw you fall overboard. Ruth Warrington: Captain Ned will be so relieved. He's been with you every moment, Miles.. comforting you. Dr. Pierce: Well, Miles, I suspect you'll be strong enough to go under the knife in a couple of days, huh? Miles Cowperthwaite: [ worried ] What?! What do you mean, Dr. Pierce?! Dr. Pierce: The legs, Miles. I'm afraid they'll have to come off. Now, I've only got one pegleg aboard, but I can get you a nice hook for the bottom of this left knee. As soon as we reach port, we'll go shopping for a nice wooden one. Miles Cowperthwaite: But, sir! Must I lose my legs? Dr. Pierce: I'm afriad so, Miles. When we pulled you out of the water, your legs were.. soaking wet. Miles Cowperthwaite V/O: From the moment I learned that Dr. Pierce has designs on my legs, I decided to repeat my attempt at escape whatever the risk involved. [ show Miles sneaking across the ship in disguise ] The very next morning, after one final night of comforting from Captain Ned, I once more stowed out of my cabin and lowered myself over the side, this time completely undetected. [ Miles jumps overboard ] And so my term of service at sea had come to an end. Once again, I found myself quite alone in the world, with little capitol and few prospects. Of the details of my escape from The Raging Queen, as well as my adventures subsequent thereto, the reader shall learn in my next chapter: 'I Am Eaten By Sharks'." [ close ]

Foxe I found this reference to women aboard ships and ammunition handling in The Age of Sail: The International Annual of the Historic Sailing Ship v.1 pg. 190 Life at Sea on Board the Replica Endeavour .. byAndrew Lambert: "For many years it was believed that women were rarely, if ever, on board warships. This like much else about life in the eighteenth century Navy was a Victorian invention that said more about the values of the mid nineteenth century than it did about the realities of the previous century. In fact large numbers of women went to sea, usually the wives of the petty officers, mature women who played important role, including medical treatment and ammunition handling (appearantly not all women were as foolish as the one you mentioned ). Not a few children were born on warships, and some women entered under assumed male identities, although the fact that they were not discovered is very revealing of the low incidence of bathing, be it on deck or in the sea"

Well..... ....I suppose you could always blow on it to cool it down a mite. I thought blow was just an expression!

This turn of conversation is a bit morre appealing than deflecting POTC2 rumours huh Bess.

Zorg were you just blurry that day or was the photographer a bit tipsy? You look more out of focus than usual. :)

Some of the crew of the Port Royal Privateers came aboard the Huntington for a reading festival. All of us brought some of the books we have in oue libraries for young and old alike to see and read. We also had storytellers to read for the wee ones. There were also games to play and demonstrations of knotwork etc. We talk of pirates and the meaning of pieces of eight. Of all the particapants that were there (ELizabethan, Revotionary War, & Gold Rush) we were the crowd favorite. Had a right fine time educating everyone about pirates. :)

This sounds like a job for the plaster caster twins! OOps I 'm showing my age!

There isn't a copy of Burg book "Sodomy & the Pirate Tradition" in the library. That should be very telling as to the level of scholarship the book has. Claire does Burg say where he got this bit of information? Is there a footnote or endnote? If yes what is the source sited?

I went to the OED and found two spelling slightly different meanings. Matelot [Fr sailor cf matlo (w)] 1. A salilor Naut salng 2. Applied to a shade of blue Matelote 1. A dish of fish with a sause of wine, onions and other seasonings ... 2. Old sailor's dance in duple rythm, similar to a hornpipe No mention of intimate relations between men in the OED.

Maybe that's why I never heard used for same sex partners either sailor or pirate. That was one poorly written article.