Sashes

[MadMike]

Sashes are mentioned in several accounts during the GAOP. Here's just a sample-

Robert Drury visiting pirates on Madagascar, 1719-

"He was dressed in a short coat with broad, plate buttons, and other things agreeable, but without shoes or stocking. In his sash stuck a brace of pistols, and he had one in his right hand. The other man was dressed in an English manner , with two pistols in his sash and one in his hand, like his companion". (Under the Black Flag, Cordingly, 14).

As for period pirate images, please note those of Edward England and Jack Rackham.

Also, check out Foxe's seaman image archive for sailors wearing sashes.

Yours, Mike

[Fox]

It's important to note though that the sashes depicted in period pictures of seamen little resemble those worn by modern pyrates. Period sashes were much smaller and seem to have usually been tied in a small knot at the front, with short ends - not the great dangly things we usually see.

Also important to note is a reference (dammit, I'm going to have to look it up now) to buccaneers having anti-mosquito sleeping bags made of light material, which they tied around their waists. :)