19 September 2013

Avast!

 Since this is Talk Like a Pirate Day,
I thought a little random Pirate history was in order.



Pirate Code of Conduct Bartholomew Roberts Shipboard Articles 1721
  • ARTICLE I - Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity may make it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.
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  • ARTICLE II - Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. But if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels or money, they shall be marooned. If any man rob another he shall have his nose and ears slit, and be put ashore where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.
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  • ARTICLE III - None shall game for money either with dice or cards.
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  • ARTICLE IV - The lights and candles should be put out at eight at night, and if any of the crew desire to drink after that hour they shall sit upon the open deck without lights.
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  • ARTICLE V - Each man shall keep his piece, cutlass and pistols at all times clean and ready for action.
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  • ARTICLE VI - No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing any of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise he shall suffer death.
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  • ARTICLE VII - He that shall desert the ship or his quarters in time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning.
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  • ARTICLE VIII - None shall strike another on board the ship, but every man's quarrel shall be ended on shore by sword or pistol in this manner. At the word of command from the quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If any man do not, the quartermaster shall knock the piece out of his hand. If both miss their aim they shall take to their cutlasses, and he that draweth first blood shall be declared the victor.

  • ARTICLE IX - No man shall talk of breaking up their way of living till each has a share of l,000. Every man who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have 800 pieces of eight from the common stock and for lesser hurts proportionately.
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  • ARTICLE X - The captain and the quartermaster shall each receive two shares of a prize, the master gunner and boatswain, one and one half shares, all other officers one and one quarter, and private gentlemen of fortune one share each. 
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Anne Bonny 18th c. pirate... one of many famous women pirates.
"No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them.
If any man shall be found seducing any of the latter sex
and carrying her to sea in disguise
he shall suffer death."


"The flogging will continue until morale improves."

2 comments:

  1. These rules make pirates seem downright civilized! I have an infamous pirate ancestor that keeps me fascinated with the era. Arrghhh! And so clever of you to provide me with a narrative to accompany my French plate! My little girls will be so charmed. I also think it's wonderful that you live in a town that you can walk around and have everything you need. Have a happy first official weekend of autumn!

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  2. It does sound oddly civilized although there is a lot of "suffering death" as a result of NOT following these tenets!? So glad you will be able to enjoy the fable with your girls! Have a lovely weekend.

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