Ahoy! How jolly is yer roger?
Ahoy mates! Capt. John Swallow here to give ye a crash course in Pyrate Flags (and yes, that's PYRATE, or in fact, PYRAT the original correct spelling - still is if yer French).
Flags are a popular topic among Pyrates – after all, they are often yer most identifiable mark upon history. The famed skull & crossed bones look o' the “Jolly Roger” is recognized worldwide as a symbol o' Pyrates!
Recently a rather heated discussion arose over scenes from the latest Disney foray “Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” - which features one o' the most notoriously infamous Pyrates o' all time – Captain Edward Teach – or as most o' ye know him, Blackbeard!
Blackbeard's ACTUAL flag was – as most Pyrate flags were – designed to deliver a message.
Rumour has it the suits at Disney, in a Tripple-Cappuchino-Latte-Grande induced hallucination, decided that Blackbeard's flag was “too scary for young children” and replaced it with a fanged skull, dripping blood, encircled by flames...that looks like a stick-on tattoo from the 1970s. Perhaps they were thinking more along the lines o', “Shows bigger on screen (and we can own the merchandising)”? Frankly, if they were afraid o' kids bein' squeamish, how about Mermaids that rip yer lungs to traumatize any “Little Mermaid” fans? (for the record, this may be the first time in Hollywood history that Mermaids are portrayed accurately as the Sea Monsters they are!). It's unfortunate that a corporation as large as Disney couldn't use a little it's clout to spread some knowledge – along with their action & entertainment packed films.
Blackbeard's ACTUAL flag – as most Pyrate flags – was designed to deliver a message. A standing skeleton, holding an hourglass in one hand and stabbing a heart with the other. Translation; yer time is running out, death is coming – any argument will get ye stabbed in the heart!
Speaking o' Disney and their misappropriation o' history, the flag made famous in their marketing o' the “Pirates Of The Caribbean” films, is in fact the flag o' one 'Calico' Jack Rackham (named so for his poncy-printed breeches made o' calico fabric – likely someone's curtains). Rackham was not a Captain, but a Quartermaster (actually second in command on a Pyrate ship and rather important) and his only real claim to fame is having two women as part o' his crew (Mary Reade & Anne Bonney)...but that's another story. Interestingly, the origin o' these flags goes back a ways...and into the probable origin o' the term “Jolly Roger”. A common belief is that the name derives from the French “Jolie Rouge” - describing the plain red flag flown to indicate “no quarter given” (ie. Fight to the death). A black flag indicated an attack, but with the opportunity for surrender. Another story has it that Blackbeard's crew actually referred to the skeleton on his flag as “Jolly Roger” for both it's grinning countenance and “Roger” as a colloquialism for the devil.
Most Pyrate ships carried an assortment o' legitimate countries flags – after all, no one would be suspicious o' one o' their own ships! This is referred to as “flying false colours”; once within striking distance, they would raise their own flag which was often cause for the other ship to surrender based on the reputation (or perceived reputation) o' the attacking crew & their Captain. Privateers, on the other hand, were required to fly their country's flag (or an official variation) as they were “legal Pyrates” holding a Letter Of Marque – a license – from their Sovereign.
While skulls and bones were popular icons (death, danger), some were a touch more creative. The hourglass was popular (time flies when yer having rum) as were bladed weapons. Here follows a few examples...
So there ye be...a brief history on Pyrate flags and their use. I do encourage ye to do more research, there's loads o' great info out there...as someone said, “Not all treasure is silver & gold!”
Until we cross paths again; Fair winds, following seas & full tankards!
