Swashbuckler 1700

Furthermore I would actually note that Blackbeard was not among the really cruel ones at all. Surely he liked to threaten people, but is there any actual records of him torturing or killing captives? I think not. For example the captain of Protestant Caesar, a ship that he captured, was left unharmed and his ship was burn only because it was from Boston and Blackbeard, who had promised to burn all Bostonian ships as pirates were hanged there, wanted to be man of a man of his word. (Accordingly to Woodard at least) Like it has been said previously by Royal James e.g La Buse was not really cruel. At least I think Snelgrave noted that he saved one captive, who was French**, from torture. If the account of George Robert's is accurate (Yeah it has impressed me as I often refer to it knowing it might be partly or largely fictional) even cutthroats pirates Like Ned Low had "some morals" so to speak. Or at least some limits/ logic of violence. Roberts wrote when his ship was captured and he was taken aboard Low's ship Captain Loe, with the usual Compliments, welcomed me on board, and told me, He was very sorry for my Loss, and that it was not his Desire to meet with any of his Country-men, but rather with Foreigners, excepting some few that he wanted to chastise for their Rogueishness, as he call'd it. Most of Low's atrocities were committed against Spaniards and or Portuguese while only some against Englishmen so the quote rings true **. It doesn't ofcourse make the deeds any less cruel but just good to note. I also think that Philip Ashton, a mariner who was captured by Low, reported* how Low often cried for his poor orphan daughter so he had a visible weak side. Obviously they were humans. Even the most cruelest ones were not always cruel. I think it was often more about alcohol usage that made it go brutal. I think many pirates even blamed alcohol for their most cruel misdeeds during their last speeches before executions. So not all were what people could call "pure evil". **(This leads me to think that many pirates felt some clear sympathy for their own nation even while they sailed under the black flag. This, however, is another story.) *(Ashton's original text was widely quoted in book The ships and sailors of old Salem; the record of a brilliant era of American achievement where I read it.)

Generally speaking I find the pirate's cruelty as a universal trait misleading in some points. For what I have read many captured captains were treated rather well for example. Many pirates like Samuel Bellamy were not know to be cruel at least for what I have read. Naturally I may be mistaken though. Though even captains who were treated well had almost been abused at start. For example Snelgrave was almost shot and if captain George Roberts was an existing person he was about to be get shot as well. Captain Lawrence Prince was much respected by the pirates who took his ship. On the other hand we have pirates like lesser know Captain Philip Lyne who boasted how he had killed captured 37 "masters of vessels" (captains) during his pirate career.

This ship has interesting net system. I think is is far from typical, because at least other pictures don't generally show these full boarding nets (I don't know if it is the correct term though). Shipping off Dover 1738 Samuel Scott Sir John Leake Admiral and politician (a weird looking portrait) c.1710 Samuel Scott Departure from England of Francis, Duke of Lorraine, 1731 Painted 1732

A Dutch East-Indiaman off Hoorn a Castro, Lorenzo (Active c. 1664 - died c.1700?) Painted Before 1686

After a long pause here are some old maps :) Apparently North upwards was not a norm yet in 1600s A map of North American coast near Virginia 1635 Europe circa 1640 This is so large that I put just a link. It will take long to load http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/AGAD_Guilielmo_Blaeuw_Europa.png Peru 1640s

Thanks. I am pretty sure that I have not posted these before. Eve if I have posted some it won't hurt I think. There are many paintings like this one here, but I think this particular one is not here yet. An English man-of-war and yachts in a calm (circa 1720) A Man-of-War Firing a Gun at Sundown (early 18th C) Interestingly this appears to be a new generation man of war compared to the first one above (galleries are different for example and decoration different too. Though the latter of the men of wars is smaller...) A ship boar by Samuel Scott, ca. 1702-1772 (probably the mid 18th Century) (does one of those hats have X in them?) A Galley and a Man-of-War Mid - Late 17th century (A Dutch Galley. Interesting)

I actually couldn't watch the first episode fully so I cannot judge much. But, everything seemed to be so wrong in that 15 minutes I saw. And I am not speaking about anything historical. My opinion is that the sets look bad in all ways, Costumes look like fancy dresses and acting is bad. Action was done poorly too. The plot in the first episode at least was awful. I cannot judge more but the show totally failed to gain my interest.

How much is has content that could be called commentary (not documents)?

Indeed. And I found out that picture of La Reale Galley is at least accordingly to Wikipedia made in 1690s (this is just because I hate when I don't know dates) A réale galley belonging to the Mediterranean fleet of Louis XIV, the largest galley force of the late 17th century; oil on canvas, c. 1694 And here is more interesting old pictures Battle of The Battle of 'La Hogue', 23 May 1692 Jean Bernard Desjean (1645-1711) Baron de Pointis who led the French attack in Cartagena in 1697 with Jean Du Casse. The attack was the last major assault of buccaneers and they where accompanied by a large force of French Soldiers. Accordingly to this site the picture was made by Bonnart, Henri (1642-1711) so it is made certainly before 1711. (yes it has a watermark...) Wheel Torture by Jean-Baptiste Henri Bonnart (1678-1726) (accordingly to this site) (odd I wonder if the maker is actually the same man than with the previous picture and the other has the dates wrong. In any case the maker died certainly in 1726 so the pictures are certainly Gaop ones.) This picture probably depicts execution of Cartouche, 1721 I am surprised because finding interesting old pictures on web is much easier than some might anticipate. Finding these doesn't take more than some minutes if you remember or know what you are looking for. And even if one doesn't know it ain't that hard necessarily.

It is probably true that they weren't popular before 1730s among sailors, but if you exclude all Dutch stuff (Dutch mariners it appears didn't use tricorns much even later at least accordingly to many pictures while the English did at least from 1730s), Johnson's book's captains and paintings (since they are never too clear. Only some are and they are few) how many pictures of English mariners we have of the period 1700-1729 for example? Just something good to notice. But there is no doubt that tricorn was first and foremost a gentleman and officer hat in Gaop. And some pictures This is late if we think of Gaop, but an excellent collection of the late 18th century flags http://jcb.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/JCB~1~1~4596~7260002:Tableau-de-tous-les-pavillons-que-l?sort=IMAGE_DATE%2Csubject_groups&qvq=q:battle;sort:IMAGE_DATE%2Csubject_groups;lc:JCB~1~1&mi=8&trs=179 Here is a 1680s picture of a buccaneer. In his site Benerson Little says: Flibustier fully equiped for a raid on a Spanish town. Note the cartouche box on the left side, the pistol on the right, lock toward the body, for a left-hand draw. This and similar 1680s eyewitness illustrations are discussed in The Mariner's Mirror 98/3, by Benerson Little.(BNF) Also this is of the same series This picture I have linked before in this thread, but this is a bigger version of it so: It was also in the Beneron Litte's page and he said about the picture: "Illustration circa 1701 to 1702 of corsaire Jean Bart...." I have said this once in this thread (page 4) but I must say it again: the sailor looks like this guy http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8407615r/f1.highres A painting of La Reale (probably done in 1690s)(hmm by the way one of the officers with tan coat appears to be wearing a tricorn hat, but it is probably just my imagination. But he is clearly officers so it is no wonder even if it is. In any case it remind me of this)

A few more pictures. I have linked this before, but there is a long while of it This is a "scene of naval warfare in which the crews of two ships drawn up alongside one another fight." Pirates attack ship circa 1732. The image is not by all means accurate (the ships looks bad etc.) but nearly Gaop illustration anyway. (And the cocked hats are curiously common, but that doesn't mean anything really) http://jcb.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/JCB~1~1~3654~5740010:-Pirates-attack-a-ship-?sort=IMAGE_DATE%2Csubject_groups&qvq=q:pirates;sort:IMAGE_DATE%2Csubject_groups;lc:JCB~1~1&mi=52&trs=74 And this is interesting while not Gaop period (1820) It is an edited version of buccaneers hunting picture with added female pirates Bonny and Read http://jcb.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/JCB~1~1~500350~100000256:-Pirates-of-the-Caribbean-?sort=IMAGE_DATE%2Csubject_groups&qvq=q:pirates;sort:IMAGE_DATE%2Csubject_groups;lc:JCB~1~1&mi=4&trs=74

I am pretty sure that Johnson mentioned that Mary Read challenged another pirate to a duel because the pirate had insulted her loved one. The duel was a land duel too. However, I wonder that is there any more real evidence of that duel than Johnson? Also another Johnson thing: just an interesting quote related to this thread. Almost a duel. 1724 book page 394 of Captain Evans "The Boatswain of the Pyrate being a noisy surly Fellow, the Captain had at several TimesWords with him, relating to his Behaviour, who thinking himself ill treated, not only returned ill Language, but also challenged the Captain to fight him on the next Shore they came to, with Pistols and Sword, as is the Custom among these Outlaws. When the Sloop arrived, as abovementioned, the Captain proposed the duel; but the cowardly Boatswain refused to fight, or go ashore, tho’ it was his own Challenge. When Captain Evans saw there was nothing to be done with him, he took his Cane, and gave him a hearty drubbing; but the Boatswain not being able to bear such an Indignity, drew out a Pistol and shot Evans thro’ the Head, so that he fell down dead; and the Boatswain immediately jumped over-board, and swam towards the Shore; but the Boat was quickly mann'd and sent after him, which took him up and brought him aboard. The Death of the Captain in that Manner, provoked all the Crew, and they resolved the Criminal should die by the most exquisite Tortures; but while they were considering of the Punishment, the Gunner, transported with Passion, discharged a Pistol, and shot him thro’ the Body; but not killing him outright, the Delinquent in very moving Words, desired a Week for Repentance only; but another stepping up to him, told him, that he should repent and be damned to him, and without more ado shot him dead."

After a long while here is something: A Pirate figure in "The Florida Pirate, or, An account of a cruise on the schooner Esparanza". New York: [William Borradaile], 1823.

Here once again a picture of hand hooks. Late thought. This one is a caricature made after the Battle of The Nile (1799) where Nelson and other officer are feeding a man (presenting England) with French ships.

Interesting. Marcus Rederiker, while he has done some interesting study about it, has similar generalization of pirates and religion (thought he focused on the 1700s pirates and not buccaneers). Sure if you take all of the (indeed numerous) anti-religious acts of pirates it seems like all were not religious. For example while some pirates didn't repent (like William Fly, the favorite example of Rederiker) there were also those who would in the end repent and sing psalms with people like Cotton Mather (like some of Bellamy's men hanged in Boston and indeed some Bellamy's men were singing psalms during a violent storm) and Rederiker doesn't mention those in his main book "Villains of All Nations". Surely pirates were rarely religious, instead it seems some at least believed that they would go "merrily to Hell together". Still...

Just something: Woodard says that that was La Buse's flag and he has the same description by Hamilton. I think there are pretty good reasons to believe that that was La Buse active there.

I know this thread is about Black sails pilot but I think I can say a word about episode 3 as well. The appearance of Hornigold made me happy. The fort of Nassau was seen and while it was a little too nice it was not ridiculously large. Also the reference to Jacobitism in Gate's and Hornigold's conversation in the fort was a pleasant surprise to me.

I too like the setting. It is visually beautiful and all. (Though those Spanish buildings would be more accurate in Havana than in Nassau which was a shanty town with huts, tents and wooden buildings....) I also note that Port Royal has been mentioned several times in the series while Kingston not even once. Though it seems that Port Royal was still a surprisingly notable place so it is not an error in any way.

Having finally a possibility to read Snelgare's account: Something that support the simple idea that I mentioned earlier: "Pirates as outlaws could show their Jacobitism more directly as they had nothing to fear as they were criminals already." Snelgrave wrote about Captain Cocklyn "Then he drank several other Healts amongs which was that of the Pretender, by the name of King James the Third, and thereby I found they were doubly on the side of the gallows, both as Traitors and Pirates." Though I would also observe that Cocklyn drank to other people healts too, not just James' (Though the others might have been something like his family members, fellow pirates of Jacobite politicians like Wyndham or Ormond...). It seems that, at least by Snelgrave, drinking a Jacobite toast was considered to be more than just “rattling the nerves of the authorities”.

Just something Originally tobacco used among natives was sometimes wrapped to something like cigars (not big news) example: circa 1699 The Indians in their Robes in Councel, and Smoaking tobacco after their way. Illustration about a story linked to none other than Dampier and fellows. http://jcb.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/JCB~1~1~2297~3810003:The-Indians-in-their-Robes-in-Counc?sort=IMAGE_DATE%2Csubject_groups&qvq=q:cigar;sort:IMAGE_DATE%2Csubject_groups;lc:JCB~1~1&mi=5&trs=7 It seems that some Spaniards in Latin America used this way of smoking too I think I have seen this here in some other thread before Colonial Spaniard circa 1725 Though even while cigars (in some form) were used by Spanish colonists it doesn't mean that pirates or seafarers in general would have used the practice. Also, it seems that even Spanish colonials usually used pipes. At least they are seen much more frequently in pictures.

Woodard states, also, in Republic of Pirates that Brand had a few armed sailors with him and that later he was joined by Maurice Moore and Edward Moseley. Woodard's source in that page of that departure in his notes is "Brand to the admiralty, 6 February 1719". That source was used by him at least to prove the time of the departure. Though he may be still wrong. And as this thread is about books: What can you people say about Captain Kidd and the War against the Pirates by Robert C Ritchie?

As for the language (having seen the second episode as well now) it is too boring. The use of f-word is making the dialogue boring as there is less creative words (both modern and period ones). Though I, personally, think that a show with completely or even nearly period accurate language would be hard to listen. Think about it all pirates would use mainly language like "Damn you dog! God damn you! I will do you a mischief!..." or "You did very well!" I would still hope more older language and language with more variation... And a note about the second episode: there is no dollars anymore! (Though there could still be dollars but meaning Dutch money.)

By the way. Has Philip Gosse's studies got terribly outdated or are they bad? Just wondering...

Hi That is nice. I plan to do my theses for university in the future (years it will take until I have even completed the first part of the education) about something related to early modern era seafaring if not pirates and privateers. Foxe can reply with better authority, but I have something. It seems that La Buse had "Postillion" before he joined Hornigold. Colin Woodard's "The Republic of Pirates" covers some of La Buse's early activity in The Caribbean. On page 135 is said that La Buse who was commanding armed sloop Postillion joined Bellamy and Hornigold in 1716. Postillion had 8 guns. So it would seem that La Buse captured Postillion by himself. I hope I could say more.

Well it isn't so complicated then. Edward and Edmund are rather near to each other (much like Teach and Thatch). About him: Johnson's book says he robbed a ship named Cassandra which probably isn't right. It seems that because of the lack if information of Condent Johnson claimed that he did the same robberies as Taylor and possibly La Buse. It seems that most of the Condent section of the book might be rubbish. Johnson claims: "He met at St Mary's, the Cassandra East-India Man, commanded by Captain James Macragh; he continued his Course for the East-Indies, where he made a very great Booty, and returning, touch'd at the Isle of Mascarenas, where he met with a Portuguese Ship of 70 Guns, with the Vice-Roy of Goa, on board. This Ship he made Prize of, and hearing she had Money on board, they would allow of no Ransom, but carried her to the Coast of Zanguebar, where was a Dutch Fortification, which they took and plunder'd, razed the Fort, and carried off several Men who enter'd voluntarily. From hence they stood for St. Mary's, where they shared their Booty, broke up their Company, and settled among the Natives: Here a Snow came from Bristol, which they obliged to carry a Petition to the Governor of Mascarenas for a Pardon, tho’ they paid the Master very generously. The Governor returned Answer, he would take them into Protection if they would destroy their Ships, which they agreed to, and accordingly sunk the Flying Dragon, &c. Condent and some others went to Mascarenas, where Condent married the Governor's Sister-in-Law, and stay'd some Time; but as I have been credibly inform'd, he is since come to France, settled at St. Maloes, and drives a considerable Trade as a Merchant."