Tartan Jack

Past cars:

85 Audi 5000 Dark Gray-> Spectre

(killed by my grandmother when she wrecked it, taking a Geo and a Rolls Royce with it. All drivers were fine.)

87 VW Vanagon Wolfram (dark metalic) gray-> Ghost/Spectre II

(lost it in a parking lot more than once, surprising for something 6 feet high, 12 feet long, and 5 ot 6 feet wide. It blended in with a dark parking lot. One friend looking for it WALKED INTO IT to find it ) Traded for Miata

97 Ford Tarus-> named Blue Oval (it was blue and had the oval motif ALL OVER IT!!!!! Besides, that is Ford's nickname.)

Sold to a friend when we bought Queen Anna's Revenge.

Flying Ocra was originally named Droopy (Anna thought it looked like Droopy Dog), then dubbed Flying Ocra. Briefly, I renamed it Timex, bit it didn't take, so it reverted to Flying Ocra.

It was hit twice, replaced its tranny twice (under warrenty), had a tornado form and pass DIRECTLY OVER IT (pelting it with baseball size hail, with us inside) and HAD A TREE FALL ON IT last winter (the tree went through a deck and landed with a branch was holding up the tree THROUGH THE SUSPENSION AND ENGINE BLOCK, we just had to replace the hood and repaint the roof)!!! Yet, it just keeps going and WON'T DIE.

In a forum like this, I am VERY curious . . .

In honor of the great ships of the seas, which would NEVER set sail unnamed,

How many of you name your daily 4-wheeled transportation?

We have 3 cars:

Fenix-> MX-5 Miata (it has been reborn and brought back from the dead more than once)

Flying Ocra-> green sedan (long story originating with my wife in college)

Queen Anna's Revenge-> minivan, named by my wife Anna (I'm SURE ya'll get THAT one)

Anyone else want to share?

(or am I the lone nut)

Welcome aboard, Mr. Wages. And as long as you keep the skunk-sporran downwind I'll join you in a drink.

(I'm still quite new to this forum, but I think you'll find this one very welcoming. As an actor and not a living historian/reenactor I've had some of the same difficulties you mentioned in other forums. Everyone here at the Pub has been great and very willing to address my questions, historical or otherwise).

I am actually working on an real skunk sporran. I have a pelt and the rest of the stuff, but am trying to finish a few other "projects" first.

The "bad experince" could best be summed as "spam hate mail" by a PARTICULAR person. I latter found out that my compatriots on that forum HATED her and (as they were moderators), I should have "reported" her (providing an excuse to boot her). They kicked her off later for something else.

I don't really expect problems here.

Thanks for the welcomes. I will try to keep which subforum is for which topic. Though, I will probably be in Captain Twill and Plunder most of the time.

I am interested in reenactment, IF I can find a group/rabble/gang close enough that I can ACTUALLY BE involved.

If anyone from the Columbia, SC group is on here, PM ME PLEASE!!!!!

Thanks,

I was going to let this thread die, but this was to good to pass up.

In Kenneth W. Maulder's "Piracy: Days of Long Ago" (Tampa Bay, Florida: Mulder Enterprises, 1998, second ed.) on page 77, this is listed under "Other Infamous Pirates:"

"Red Legs Greaves was a Scottish captain who wore a kilt exposing his bare legs even in cold weather."

Also:

"French pirate Captain Borgne-Fesse, which means Captain Half-Ass- history did not explain his deformity further."

More internet on Greaves is: (116 Google hits on his name)

http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Post/423739

and

http://blindkat.hegewisch.net/pirates/whosgreaves.html

He is also meantioned here (among Blackbeard and Roberts) on

http://romancereaderatheart.com/pirate/Trivia.html

Captain "Red Legs" Greaves (1670-1680 - Island of Margarita of Venezuela) Greaves got his nickname "Red Legs" from his heritage. The kilt wearing Scots were known for going bare legged in any weather and this lifestyle led to "red legs" in the Caribbean sun. As his reputation spread throughout the Caribbean "Red Leg" Greaves became known for his humanity and morality. He never tortured his prisoners, robbed the poor, or maltreated women. After Greaves became a legally free and pardoned man he once again retired to a plantation becoming well known for being a charitable and kindly man who gave generously to many public institutions. Greaves died of old age, universally respected and missed by all in his community.

Is this guy even real? One commentator thinks not:

http://www.thepirateking.com/forum/viewtop...0a08c50e379ccbd

At least one can see WHY the argument seems to go round and round without many "facts" ACTUALLY coming out on kilted pirates.

I spent HOURS today looking at old threads (and trying to get used to this site "search" engine).

A decent thread worth noting:

https://pyracy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=337&hl=

Also, Foxe had a number of good comments in the last couple years.

I am looking forward to his book (or at least an expanded version of his site). I'd LOVE to see more of the 100 or so ones he has found described.

As for patterns, this one was interesting:

https://pyracy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6177&hl=

Also interesting:

https://pyracy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5539&hl=

I know there is a thread on here SOMEWHERE on the Blackbeard movie done by the BBC. BUT, I can't seem to find it by search (not used to this engine). Anyone able to help me?

The MacNiells of Barra where an entire clan of pirates.

I just HAD to revive this thread when I found it!!!

As for the MacNeils:

In Charles MacKinnon of Dunakin's "Scottish Highlanders: A Personal View" (Barnes and Noble: New York, 1984; reprint 1992), I found this interesting:

"The Barra MacNeils were picturesque pirates, and Kisimul Castle was well known as acorsair lair from which the MacNeil galleys set out on swift, successful raids. They were almost impregnable on Barra, and certainly safe from all attack at Kisimul, which rises sheer from the sea on a small island and which could not in those days be assaultes by land.

During the Lordship of the Isles, the MacNeils generally supported the MacDonalds. Roderick Og MacNeil of Barra was celebrated for his bravery. He was one of the chiefs who accompanied the Earl of Argyle on his expedition against the Catholic Earls, which ended disasterously for Argyle. Roderick Og fell at the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594.

His son was a splendid character called Roderick 'the Turbulent', one of the greatest sea-rovers of a clanwhich had the sea in its blood. Queen Elizabeth of England complained of his piracy, and he was peremptorially summoned to appear before the Privy Council in Edinburgh. Natually he ignored the summons, and eventually he was captured by a trick, being invited aboard the ship of a friendly MacKenzie, where he and his henchmen were got drunk and then secured while the boat made off with them. When he arrived in Edinburgh, he took a high tone. He explained that he had made war on English ships because he was honor bound to avenge the murder of the King's mother (Mary, Queen of Scots) by Elizabeth, and he had assumed that the King would be pleased by what he had done. He feels he deserves the pardon which he then recieved."

(MacKinnon, 211-212)

I'm not actually sure if the MacNiels wore kilts shipboard, but it is interesting. The are Highlander Pirates for sure.

MacNeil, through the Neel family (on mother's side),

Thanks for the help.

I am planning to make several. One of them will be paint on canvas. I am planning on using artist acrylic (reinforced by the post on the POTC movie flags in the thread showing personal ensigns).

Does anyone know what kind of paint they would/could have used in GAoP (I have a knowledge gap on that point)?

Another will be white wool hand sewn on black wool. I "think" this may be more historically correct, but there really is no proof either way. I am only concerned it will not "flutter" well.

Yet another will be a design on a tartan base (not historical, but will look cool at highland games this year). I am not sure of the material yet, but probably white canvas or wool on a Carolina tartan base (in 100% cotton twill).

Let's say I have a large number of flags floating around in my head.

I'll post a pic when I have the tartan one at a games.

Thanks again,

OK, I'll ACTUALLY introduce myself.

Yes, Wages REALLY is my last name. We do not know where it came from. The line we think we related (there is a gap about 1800, but there are reason for assuming a link to a certain family that does go back further) goes back to a William Wages that came to Virginia in 1691 with 8 other people with Scottish names. There are some theories, but they are still postulations.

I do have a degree in history, but the focus has been more on Scottish and religious subjects. My interest in pirates goes back decades, but I have a relatively small collection of book (growing thanks to the actual history books now available in either new print, reprint, or used thanks to POTC). Some of my questions may seen odd, but I am probably coming from a different background than most here.

I am not currently involved in any reenactment groups, though I would like to be (I am not sure about the amount of time I could provide, but i would love to try). I live in upstate South Carolina (US).

One of my main interests is the contrast and comparison of legends/myths to reality, then to see how they are related and how/why the reality either gave birth or developed into the legend. In this regard, pirates are one of the most facinating (as is Scottish history-> just look at William Wallace, MacBeth, or a number of the Scottish history books).

I had a very bad experience on a forum a while back and only recently reentered forums (this is only the 3rd I've joined since I got back on them). I liked the level of depth and the amount of people who seem to know what they are talking about here.

I entered with a bit of a "pirate persona" and probably sounded like a bit of an arrogant prick. I'm sorry about that. I am a MUCH better historian than I am a storyteller, I PROMISE!!!

Part of my background is also with the arts, especially graphic and industrial design. So, I am interested in the "visual" around pirates, as well as the stories and artifacts. That is also what flags facinate me so much. They are pictoral representations of the ideas held dear to those that create, fly, and honor them. Flags are esentially pieces of cloth, really nothing more. Yet, they draw out SUCH emotion and meaning. Flag bearers will charge head long into battle, without arms, carrying the colors. If they die, others grap the flag and drop their own arms to lift it up.

Hence, two of my earliest threads.

I am also interested in models. I mess with O-Guage trains, die cast cars, real cars, and many other things. Two of my "current" projects are the conversion of 2 "ships." One is the Lindburg "Jolly Roger" into a 1/48 scale sloop and a 1/96 scale Revell USS Constitution into a 1/48 scale pirate ship (I am as of yet undecided as to the rigging or if I will make it 2 or 3 masted). So,m I will probably be looking and asking a fair amount about the actual "pirate ships" and issues such as colors, and the like.

Yes, I actually do make kilts and balmorals, and am thinking of making it an actual side business. I have had plenty of interest in it from others before it even crossed my mind.

I'll tell and reveal more as I see fit and appropriate.

I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know all ya'll.

Til later,

This seems to be the place to ask this question . . .

I know many of you have made your own pirate flags. So, what is the "best" way to do it?

(I want a plethora of opinions on this one)

What is a way to make it "period"?

What works best "day-to-day," regardless of period correctness.

What is "easy"?

What materials have you tried and what works well? Awful? Works but is a PITA?

What "flutters well"?

What stands up well"

What about fading?

I make a lot of my own stuff already, but would like opinions on flag making.

I have started (but not finished) a flag based on modern "flag material." It DOES NOT look "right" to me, so I quit before I got even half way done.

What "looks good" to ya'll?

(I'm a southerner, if you don't like it, GO SIT ON A THISTLE!!!!! or SLEEP ON A BED OF KUDZU!!!!!) :)

Down in the hull, lurking as others keep their distance.

A Man like no other.

A dirk in one hand and a basket hilted cutlass at his side. A tankard in his other. Dressed in a kilt and a bonnet, but don't DARE call it a skirt (or ye be DEAD)!

He leads the Thistle, a ship of dubious distintion.

His loyalties to 2, MacBubba, MacNeil, and Wallace. Let none challenge them.

A Bat, his pet. A skunk picked up on land, now his sporran, it crossed him once.

It is . . .

Tartan John Wages

The Kilted Pyraete of the Caledonian Carolinas!

I/We need to get together for THAT!!!

(Hi, I'm new to this forum, but am used to getting together with friends from my car and Scottish/kilt forums)

I like your site, by the way . . .

The Philabeg/small kilt was developed in the late 1600s and has a decent amount of documentation of its use before the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. (It is different than the modern tailored kilt, however)

For the interested, a belted plaid is what is shown in most of "Rob Roy" and what is so messed up in Braveheart (ie-> NOT accurate in time or construction).

A wool loom of tyhe time made a strip 25-27 inches wide. For a belted plaid (great kilt), it was simply 2 lengths (usually 3.5-6 yards, usually close to 4 each) of wool sewn together lengthwise to make a "double width" 54 (or so) inch wide piece.

A philabeg was a single stretch (4 yard) NOT attatched to another. It was probably attached with a belt through loops of some sort (the recontructions tend to fall apart without beltloops or some sort of sewing). I tend to call it a kilt for ease, though it is not a modern kilt. I don't like the term philabeg much (for reasons I'll avoid detailing right now).

I've discussed this (kilted pirates) AT LENGTH with many, many Scottish fanatics (like me) and had VERY different opinions. With the knowledge here, I figured someone may know of some from the pirate side (different base of experience and interest).

Likely candidates: Gow, MacNeils (infamous seafaring clan on the outer western isles), and others from the western isles.

Thanks Foxe!

One of my main interests is in Scottish stuff. I also make kilts on the side.

Repeatedly, I've seen pictures of GAoP pirates in kilts. For example, Pirates Magazine, Autumn 2006, pages 16 (piper on "A Sheet to the Wind") and 22 (man in chains in "Taking the Whydah"). I know Don Maitz does his homework too. I've seen, and heard, it MANY times before.

So, any one seen any documentable PROOF???

I've heard circumstancial and so forth before. But ANY PROOF?

It seems to be one of the oft occuring myths and legends.

(One of my interests-> legends vs. facts/truth and how the legends developed out of that fact.)

Hi,

Some of you ACTUALLY seem to know what you are talking about . . .

So, how were GAoP pirate flags actually constructed?

What material was used as the main flag itself?

For the painted ones, what kind of paint was put on the fabric?

What evidence is there for appliqued/embroidered ones?

What/how did they do it?

I am a historian and amatuer vexiologist, but most of my resources cover modern or ceremonial/military stuff. I think the sea flags would be different from the silks and so forth of land units, et cetera.

Thanks for any help!

(Also-> first post here)