Pirate Plunder May 2023

Volume 6 Number 15 May 2023

Pirate Plunder is an independent title published thrice a year in May, August and November for The Pirate Brethren of the British Isles. It aims to encourage the fundraising activities of pirate crews by promoting pirate festivals and other events where charitable pirates are to be found.

EDITORIAL

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Pirates of both genders are unlikely to be the most ‘woke’ people you’ll come across at a festival to celebrate the ‘Golden Age of Piracy’ or in a noisy dockside bar where shanties are being belted out, but times are changing so I’m told or are they? A tale recounted in the national press recently gave me pause to consider that young pirates, with the support of those responsible for their upbringing, could become the next crew of charitable pirates.

Apparently, the Scout Association now asks parents to state the gender of their child when signing them up to a club. As his big brother, Sam, was already in the 15th Norwich Beaver scouts for those between six and eight years old, Sarah and Chris Heath decided to enrol three-year-old son Jonathan to be assured of a place when he could join.

Sarah was asked how he identified himself and, glancing across at her youngest son, immediately answered: “Pirate”. Well, he was wearing an eye-patch and brandishing a plastic cutlass at the time!

A spokesman for the Association commented, “Scouts is open to everyone – especially young pirates”.

4

Broadside

Local legend Harry Paye is celebrated in the annual Harry Paye Day, supporting local charities and hosted and organised by the Pirates of Poole, in June.

Jolly by name and

jolly by nature

Festival focus

7

8

The main purpose of The Jolly Rogers is to have fun whilst making money for worthy causes, but its main charity is the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, whose slogan is ‘We help save lives, one day it could be you’.

Captain’s journal

10

The Captain decides to moor up somewhere quiet so he can make a thorough examination of his stolen book called ‘Marlowes Myths and Legends, a guide to the spirits and dark corners of the Caribbean’.

Read about ‘The Pirates’ Code’

Sub-titled ‘Laws and Life Aboard Ship’, this 304-page hardback book by Rebecca Simon sets out a rollicking account of pirates’ codes, which gave the strict rules essential for survival at sea.

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Front Cover. Main image: El Galeón Andalucia from Spain rests at her moorings in Brixham Harbour (picture courtesy of Chris Slack Photography). Inset: A pirate and his wench pose under a clear blue sky in Conwy, which had its most successful pirate festival since the event was launched in 2012.

Show shines a light

on pirate life

12

Filled with fascinating facts and sensory experiences, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s exhibition ‘PIRATES’ explores how popular culture has shaped how we think of pirates today, diving beneath the surface to uncover the timber-shivering truth.

14

Dubbed as ‘The best pirate festival in the UK’, this year’s event in Brixham was declared a fantastic swashbuckling success. A week later, The Original Conwy Pirate Festival attracted a record number of visitors and gave the local economy the boost it needed.

Serving pirates, smugglers

and rum since 1695

The world-famous Admiral Benbow in Penzance houses a fascinating collection of wreckage and maritime artefacts rescued from numerous shipwrecked vessels that foundered on the Cornish coast during the last 400 years.

Shantyman

Sur les Docks, exponents of maritime raw folk, were promoting their latest 12-track CD at the Sweeps Festival in Rochester at the end of April.

Trading post

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Weapons, clothing, boots, hats, eye patches, earrings, tankards for grog and all manner of gear for pirates.

How to become a pirate

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List of active pirate crews from the coast of South Devon up to the shores of the Forth and Clyde.

Where to see pirate action

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Calendar of festivals or re-enactment events either organised by pirates or likely to be subject to a pirate attack.

Salute to the King

Sheppey Pirates put aside any differences they may have had with redcoats to join them in a 21- Gun Salute to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on 6 May.

The celebration took place at Fort Amherst, Kent, which is Europe’s largest Napoleonic fort. Built by the River Medway in 1756, it was designed to protect the Naval Dockyard at Chatham from a landward attack.

It’s a fact

The Barbary corsairs were mainly Muslim pirates and privateers, who operated from the coast of North Africa, seizing merchant ships in the Western Mediterranean. They also engaged in ‘razzias’, raids on European coastal towns and villages, mainly in France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, but also in the British Isles, The Netherlands and even as far as Iceland. The main purpose of their attacks was to capture men, women and children for the Ottoman slave trade.

Gun in a time capsule

Dr Scott Herber, a conservator working on the 300-year-old wreck of Sam Bellamy’s ‘Whydha’, which foundered off Cape Cod in a storm, has been chipping away at material from the ship preserved in a natural time capsule. It is believed one piece may be a long rifle or deck gun off the ship and has been preserved because the iron in the gun has interacted with sea water to

form a process called concretion.

His efforts have revealed a metal tip, so that wires can be attached and electrolysis used to zap away the remaining concretion, a process that could take up to a year – a musket ball has already been found. This piece and other salvaged items from the wreck are held at Real Pirates, a museum located in Salem, Massachusetts.

The terms ‘Barbary corsairs’ and ‘Barbary pirates’ (named after the Berbers) are normally applied to the raiders active from the 16th century onwards, when the frequency and range of the slavers’ attacks increased.

In that period,

Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli came under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire, but were allowed to function as autonomous dependencies known as the Barbary States. The Turkish Barbarossa brothers, Hayreddin Barbarossa and Oruç Reis, who were notorious corsairs, took control of Algiers on behalf of the Ottomans in the early 16th century.

The corsairs captured thousands of merchant ships and repeatedly raided coastal towns. As a result, residents abandoned their homes along vast stretches of the Mediterranean coast. Some of these corsairs were European outcasts, such as John Ward of Faversham, Kent, who may have been the inspiration for Jack Sparrow!

A cannon roars for the King at Fort Amherst (picture courtesy of Craig Semplis).

Hayreddin Barbarossa (left) and his brother.

A life under sail could be yours

The barquentine

‘Thalassa’, owned by Captain Jacob Jan Dam, is an imposing and seaworthy tall ship. This three-master is one of the most beautiful and fastest vessels of the Dutch fleet. Rigged according to old traditions, she is fitted with modern safety conveniences to combine adventurous sailing with comfortable enjoyment.

Thalassa was built in 1980 in the traditional way and designed as a barquentine. Therefore, the foremast has transverse rigging whilst the main mast and the mizzen mast have longitudinal rigging. The warm atmosphere, her tastefully decorated saloon and the comfortable cabins (each with their own shower and washbasin) ensure that guests on

board Thalassa immediately feel at home.

Her programme of voyages usually includes one or more legs of the Tall Ships Races, Whisky tours and Mile-makers. She will also make an appearance at the

Southampton Boat Show in September.

Readers wishing to experience a life under sail should contact Brigitte Beckers in Maastricht (E-mail: brigitte@tallshipthalassa. nl), to reserve a berth.

Pets portrayed as pirates by Ukrainian artist

Images of cats, dogs and other animal members of the family such as hamsters or lizards can be turned into amazing portraits of pirates for owners or as personalised gifts for friends by Alex Fayno from Kyiv, Ukraine. A gallery of pet portraits can be seen on www.etsy. com/uk/shop/FaynoUa showing various animals in different guises, including piratical pussies, cyberpunk pugs and royal rabbits.

His work, although remarkably inexpensive, is often given a five-star rating by his customers. A recent comment on his Etsy page speaks for itself. Sara commented: “This was such a great experience from start to finish. Alex was a dream to deal with and he went over and above to make sure I had the perfect print for my parents-inlaw. Alex gave me three different mock-ups to choose from - amazing! I choose the perfect one and then he made it even

Tel: 07796 145911

more beautiful.

“Alex is an artist and will use his artistry to make the portraits perfect. He adds little artistic

touches where they’re needed...even working on the pupils so they face the right way. They loved the final result!”

Caption corrections

The main picture on the front of the November issue and the one used to illustrate the marriage of Ian Adams and Liz Brown on page 5 wrongly identified Azza Felliani of The Jolly Rogers –Dorset and the Pirates of Poole as well-known ‘Jax Parrow’ personality Simon Steadman. Based in Eastleigh, Hampshire, professional Cap’n Jack Sparrow impersonator Azza is available for hire at weddings, parties, night clubs, festivals and other events. He can be contacted on instagram.com/ capnjacksparrow4hire.

Although no-one is being made to walk the plank, apologies go to both buccaneers for the mistake.

On page 9, the rose between the two thorns of Frank Sharman and Luke Hardy has now been identified as Elainey Blade of Sea Dragon Pirates (Editor: To avoid such lapses in future issues, I would ask that shots of individuals are accompanied by their full name, together with crew/location where appropriate. Pictures of couples or groups should be named from left to right).

Cutlass Kate, the Captain’s cat.

Henry Paye, also known as Harry Page or Arripaye (to the Spanish), was a privateer and smuggler from Poole, Dorset, in the late 14th and early 15th century. He became a commander in the Cinque Ports fleet.

Paye led many naval raids along the coast of France and Spain from Normandy through to the Bay of Biscay and Cape Finisterre.

In 1405, a combined fleet of French and Spanish ships attacked Paye’s native town of Poole. The attackers looted arms and stores, and set fire to a warehouse before they were driven back to their ships by the townspeople. In retaliation, our original pirate attacked and stole a legendary haul, intercepted hundreds of ships for gold, wine, exotic fruits and brought it back to the people of Poole. Many tales are told of townsfolk of Poole drinking for a month.

Therefore, since 1926 our local legend Harry Paye is celebrated in the annual Harry Paye Day, supporting local charities and hosted and organised by the Pirates of Poole, in June.

This year, our popular shindig gets underway on Poole Quay from noon until 6 pm on17 June. Starting with a pirate parade, followed by live music, best-dressed junior pirates competition, children’s treasure hunt and rides, pirate games, live history areas, cannons and many other Harry Paye Day shenanigans (Editor: see advert on page 2).

Paula Allcroft, Pirates of Poole, Poole, Dorset

With the arrival of Spring, I’ve been getting things shipshape for new pirate enterprises.

On 2 April there was a photo-shoot for the steam punk community of Matlock Bath and as we knew there would be a rare opportunity to obtain some good quality shots, my Sea Dragon Pirates took the opportunity to launch one of our craft – Sea Dragon 3.

I now command a fleet of ten vessels ranging from unmanned models up to a craft able to carry me and a crew of one although I must admit that the tenth Sea Dragon is in service as a bar in my garden!

Cap’n Frank Sharman, Kirkby in NottinghamshireAshfield,

Cap’n Sharman prepares to cast off in Sea Dragon 3 (picture courtesy of John Downey Photography).

Jolly by name and jolly by nature

The Jolly Rogers are a Dorsetbased crew, with some members coming from further afield. Its members strive to keep the traditions of the Golden Age of Piracy alive by portraying pirates both real and fictional from this

era, as well as their own buccaneering characters. The main purpose of the group is to have fun whilst making money for worthy causes, but its main charity is the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, whose slogan is ‘We help save lives, one day it could be you’. Two years ago, a Pirate Day

was held in Swanage that raised £1,235.84 for the air ambulance, which was presented at the members’ favourite pub in town –The Red Lion. They are a democratic bunch, voting on big decisions, which include adding potential recruits to the crew! There is a core group of 12 members, who are collectively known as ‘the dirty dozen’. They comprise: Roger Relentless, Captain; Mr Cotton, First Mate; Mrs Cotton, Second Mate; Raven Red, Quartermaster; Betty, Bosun; Admiral Beech, Master at Arms; Windy Bellows, Sergeant at Arms; and Bob, Cabin Boy. The

other four members are Kay Piper, Trish Read, Daemon (Magpie) Baker and Cap’n Jack (Azza) Sparrow.

Some members are learning re-enactment skills, including sword fighting so, in future, we can entertain the public more fully at the various events we attend, the most recent being the Brixham Pirate Festival.

If you’d like to get to know The Jolly Rogers, become a member of the crew or want them to add some piratical jollity to your event and/or collect for the charity of your choice, please contact: jollyrogersdorset@gmail. com

A giant cheque was presented to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

The Jolly Rogers pose by the harbour at this year’s Brixham Pirate Festival.

After our recent surfeit of excitement

– imprisonment, narrow escape from an execution and, of course, Davy writing something more challenging than a general stocktake; I decided we should moor up somewhere quiet so I could make a thorough examination of my stolen book called ‘Marlowes Myths and Legends, a guide to the spirits and dark corners of the Caribbean’.

The book wasn’t hard to find in the end, being a large, deep red leatherbound tome with the title emblazoned on the front in worn gold. After opening the four clasps holding it closed, I rifled through the pages to see if anything pertinent immediately became plain, discovering some rather fine woodcut illustrations scattered throughout. Sadly, while the bookbinder was clearly a professional, Marlowe

appeared to have done little to transform his notes into the easy reference book I had hoped for. He’d neglected to provide an index and it had one of the broadest table of contents I’d ever come across, so with a heavy sigh I sat down to read.

Over the course of the next few hours,I read about the ‘loup garou’ which as near as I can tell is a male witch, who changes shape in order to kill, various different devil women and the trickster god Anansi; most of which according to the author owe their history to the dark continent of Africa. Some I was already familiar with thanks to Caribbean crewmen, past and present. Any mistakes Thomas used to make, for example, were blamed on spirits or duppys as he called them and, after we encountered the first abandoned vessel, he jumped ship at the first opportunity. Duppys or imps, ghosts or demons, everyone I’ve met has their own names and their own tales. We had a chippy from Araby, who told me in his country they were called djinn, and they were a spirit inimical to man. Having a certain amount of experience with gin, I was forced to agree. Nowhere could I seem to find anything remotely pertaining to the struggles we have suffered or to that cursed chamber

that robbed Matthew of his reason. The sun was making its daily descent when I finally found a glimmer of the intelligence I sought.

Of the place the Spaniards call ‘the isle of devils’ curiosity abounds. The indigenous Mayoid shun it, as did the European for almost 100 years until the British arrived. It is a place of storms and secrets. A place of screams in the night and snarls in the day. While the island is small in area it’s rich in mystery and despite the reassuring presence of a modern settlement at its Eastmost point, there are areas within where civilised man still fears to tread. Established wisdom

garnered from inhabitants of nearby islands is that this is a bad place and an abode of ‘Mendos’ (demons) and interestingly ‘a thin place between here and there’.

This was the only mention I could find and brings me no further forward. However, without wishing to tweak the nose of fate I’m minded to observe that we have gone weeks now without encountering an abandoned ship. Dare I hope that this is over and we’re going to be left alone? One can only hope.

A single pen costs £2.50 and extra pens are £1.50 each Send name and address, number o’ pens required and cheque made out to:

Sub-titled ‘Laws and Life Aboard Ship’, this 304-page hardback book by Rebecca Simon sets out a rollicking account of pirates’ codes, which gave the strict rules essential for survival at sea. Recently launched by independent publisher Reaktion Books, it contains 48 illustrations, 11 in colour.

Pirates have long captured the imagination with images of cutlasswielding swashbucklers, eye patches and buried treasure, but what was life really like on a pirate ship? Piracy was a risky, sometimes deadly, occupation and strict orders were essential for everyone’s survival. These ‘Laws’ were sets of rules that determined everything from how much each pirate earned from their plunder to compensation for injuries, punishments and even the entertainment allowed

Read about ‘The Pirates’ Code’

on ships. These rules became known as the ‘Pirates’ Code’, which all pirates had to publicly swear by.

Using primary sources such as eyewitness accounts, trial proceedings and maritime logs, this

book explains how these codes were the key to pirates’ success in battle, both on sea and land.

Rebecca Simon is a Professor of History at Santa Monica College in California. Her previous books

include ‘Why We Love Pirates: The Hunt for Captain Kidd and How He Changed Piracy Forever’ (2020) and ‘Pirate Queens: The Lives of Anne Bonny and Mary Read’ (2022). More information from www.reaktionbooks.co.uk

Show shines a light on pirate life

By Lindsey Skinner*

This Spring, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall (NMMC) on Discovery Quay, Falmouth, launched a major new exhibition exploring the history and cultural legacy of everyone’s favourite anti-hero. The show runs until the end of the year and museum opening times are every day of the year from 10 am to 5 pm, except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (prices are given on website: www. nmmc.co.uk).

Dashing and daring or bloodthirsty and greedy – were pirates of the 18th century heroes of the age or nothing more than callous cut-throats? For generations, pirates have been portrayed in fiction, film, art and fashion as symbols of freedom, adventure and transgression. Despite the often-brutal reality of pirate life, they are still celebrated, but how and why has this image been created?

From the perceived ‘Golden Age’ of piracy through to the myriad of ways that pirate identity has been consumed and appropriated through the years, ‘PIRATES’ asks audiences to jump on board and uncover how a small group of robbers became the most unlikely of folk heroes.

From the Pirates of Penzance and Captain Hook, through to LGBTQ+ interpretations of pirates and piracy-inspired catwalk collections, audiences will be invited to meet the man who inspired Long John Silver, land on Treasure Island and dance a hornpipe with Horatio Pugwash, before discovering the dark world of the real pirates of the Caribbean. Spanning periods from the 17th century to the

present day, the show will also feature an immersive experience of the Sea of Thieves game that Microsoft development studio, Rare, created for the NMMC. Co-produced in association with Royal Museums Greenwich (where the exhibition will open in 2025), the rich array of objects on display at NMMC will include costumes, weapons, globes, maps, telescopes, first edition publications, film posters and illustrations. Highlights include original artwork from Captain Pugwash, a reproduction of the very first costume for Captain

Hook and real ‘pieces of eight’ on loan from the British Museum. Filled with fascinating facts and sensory experiences, the exhibition explores how popular culture has shaped how we think of pirates today, diving beneath the surface to uncover the timbershivering truth. An accompanying events programme, including Cultural Lates and a Skull Island Play Zone, will be presented alongside the main exhibition.

Richard Doughty, Director of the NMMC, said: “In a unique collaboration between National Maritime Museum Cornwall and Royal Museums Greenwich, this major exhibition is our most ambitious undertaking to date. It sheds new light on the pirate story, challenging what visitors think they know about the lives of pirates and explores how cultural myths are created by drawing on the wealth of iterations in popular culture, literature and film. Tracing the appeal of pirates over the past three centuries, the show shines a light on why this form of outlaw has persisted as a popular symbol of freedom, despite the brutal reality of the pirate life”.

*Marketing, PR and Media.

EXPLORE BENEATH THE SURFACE

A MAJOR EXHIBITION IN FALMOUTH MARCH 2023 – DECEMBER 2024

Brixham hosts a Pirate Festival to remember

Pirates from around the world in vast numbers celebrated the Brixham Pirate Festival this early Spring Bank

By Louisa Anderson*

Holiday, which marks the start of the Pirate Festival Calendar in the UK. It began with the now famous Pirate Parade, mustering at ‘Bolton Cross’ at

the top of Fore Street before traveling down through the town to the Quayside, led in style by the Essex Marching Corps. Thousands of pirates of all shapes

HESKIN HALL PIRATE

and sizes joined in the parade as it made its way through the town to the harbour, including characters such as Davy Jones, Jack Sparrow, Ursula and mermaids.

The Quayside housed the Main Stage, which saw 18 bands perform to the delight of pirates young and old. Skirmishes on the Golden Hind at high tide had re-enactors, the Trafalgar Gun company and the Star Gun Company, create a living history display.

Shanty Crews, from the Shanty Academy and Shantymen of Devon, were spread throughout the town and their sea shanties and stories filled the sunny Bank Holiday air. Marvelous Eventures took up residence in Scala Hall, with a ‘Pirate school’, swordfighting classes and arts & crafts, Middle Street featured the South Devon Players, along with stocks, treasure

hunts, face painting and more – there really was something for all young scallywags.

Pirate Wardrobe was where ‘Captain Luna May’ and ‘LuLuna’ displayed their produce for the weekend, whilst the Captain’s Bazaar was home to traders of other piratical wares, along the South Quayside, with hats, jewels and treasures.

Monumental Foods saw some wonderful additions to the festival’s food offerings and there were more stalls with Coastal crafts right outside the entrance for El Galeón Andalucia – and a ferry to cross the harbour with none

other than ‘Captain Blackheart’ himself to keep little or large shipmates entertained. The whole town got on board with window displays, costumes and pride. The buzz of adventure, companionship of

Festival focus

friends, tales of treasure, music and stories from the sea all made 2023 a festival to remember. As the sound of cannons becomes a faint memory and the replica 16th century Spanish galleon ‘El Galeón Andalucia’, which filled the harbour

with her presence, has long since vanished into the dark, this year’s Brixham Pirate Festival was declared a fantastic swashbuckling success.

Dubbed as ‘The best pirate festival in the UK’ and now ‘The most quintessentially British

Festival focus

seaside festival’ (by the Telegraph) the crew who were ‘new’ for 2023 have well and truly been initiated and preparations for 2024 have already begun.

Without the sponsors and supporters this event would not be the fun, inclusive family event that it has become. Many thanks to all of the following for their support: Inter-Line Building supplies; Brixham Town Council; The English Riviera BID company; Brixham Chamber of Commerce; Brixham Fish Market; Bays Brewery; Devon Rum; Caterfood; Thinking Schools Academy Trust; Brixham College; Furzeham Primary and Nursery School; Adella BM79; Rockfish; Crown & Anchor; The Big Scoop; Brixham Fish and Chips; Bay Coffee Company; Another Chapter; Inspirations; Libertys; The Old Market House; The Golden Hind; Simply Fish; The Prince William; The Blue Anchor; Seriously Shrimp; Hans Gifts; Edwards Fudge Kitchen; Fullers Pasties; Dobble Jewellers; Eric Lloyd; Bastins; The Lavendar Mob; Building Block Bazaar; Chris Slack; GoMobile; NLS Light and Sound; The Port of Brixham; Sean Hubbard; Security Management South West; Team SS Medical; and Marvelous Eventures.

Don’t forget, it’s never too late to donate!

*In addition to the writer of this report, the BPF’s voluntary committee includes John, Phil, Clairelouise, Nicola, Sean, Lorna,

a successful event is due to them and all that have supported the BPF in the past.

Brian and Kayleigh. Credit for

Conwy – number one for pirate action

Attendees at this year’s Conwy Pirate Festival have dubbed it the number one event for pirate action in the UK. The town’s quayside was lined with cannons and sharp-shooters for defence against the daily attack from the pirate schooner ‘Vilma’.

Andrew Heathcote of the Anglesey Hussars, a Napoleonic era re-enactment group tasked with manning the town’s defences, said: “A whole quayside full of guns and cannons that are firing on a ship that’s also full of guns and cannons, it just doesn’t get much better than that! You’d really have to go some way to find a pirate event with bigger artillery than Conwy has”.

The annual event that took place on the 7-8 May played host to multiple re-enactment groups, including the Anglesey Hussars, HMS Wales, the Brunswicks (aka Crusade Re-enactment), the 79th Cameron Highlanders, the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Tree of Shields Hema Group.

Between them they created an action-packed pirate attack full of clashing swords, explosions and the invasion of Conwy’s 13th century castle.

Russel Erwood, Conwy’s official Jester and the newly-appointed chairperson for the Conwy Chamber of Trade (CoT), who host the event, stated: “This year’s pirate festival is our most successful yet”. He continued, “I’ve been involved with the festival since the very first one in 2012 and it’s grown into something none of us expected it could become. This year, it attracted more people to town than we ever had before and has given our local economy the boost it needed. I just don’t know how we’re going to top it, but we’re going to give it go”.

By Elliot R. Wood*

The festival was the brainchild of the former chairman of the CoT, Toby Tunstall, as a means of generating business for the town when it would otherwise be quiet. Toby explained, “The idea of the Pirate Weekend, as it was originally known, was to create a kind of artificial bank holiday at a time of year Conwy Town was traditionally quiet. Over the years, it’s really grown into something quite spectacular that has something for everyone”.

During the day, the quayside marquee played host to the Smugglers Market and several games, including a giant bar skittles, cannon game and skull shy that have all been designed and built by one of the event organisers, Jonathan Servaes, who said, “We wanted something that adults, young people and children could do together that wasn’t going to cost them a fortune. I created these games that so far have proved popular. They’re fun to play, but also allow us to raise essential funds for next year’s event without being expensive”.

For those wanting to take part in something a little more competitive you needed to look no further than the extremely popular barrel and keg races. These pit only the toughest of pirates in head-to-head races, with the winners of each race claiming a bottle of rum sponsored by The

Knight Shop International.

Jay Gatling, who hosted the races, admitted: “The barrel and keg races are brutal, but they’re always a firm favourite with both competitors and spectators alike. In fact, we have people sign up to compete year on year. They’re completely mad, but everyone loves it. The races tap into something primal in all of us”.

The town’s pubs also get involved, with pirate stronghold, The Blue Bell, hosting the official unofficial start to the festival with the Wee Bag Band providing the entertainment. The Blue Bell was so popular this year that invading pirates proudly drank the place dry within 48 hours – an impressive feat never seen before at the event. This year also saw the return of International pirate superstar Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers, as well as the Port Sunlight Seadogs, who performed on both days of the festival.

The next Conwy Pirate Festival is planned to take place on 8-9 of June, 2024.

*Ship’s Scribe – more information can be obtained from www.conwypirates.com –and other main organisers of the event are Jonathan Servaes, Joy Servaes and Kim Edmunds, who are assisted by a crew of around 20 volunteers, whose dedication and hard work ensures the festival’s continued success.

The Anglesey Hussars fired off their cannons from the quay to ward off an attack by pirates aboard the schooner ‘Vilma’.

Serving pirates, smugglers and rum since 1695

We return to Cornwall for another in Pirate Plunder’s series on ‘smuggler’ pubs and this is a real treasure. The worldfamous Admiral Benbow in Penzance was named after John Benbow, an English officer in the Royal Navy lauded in sea shanties as ‘Brave Benbow’. Now under the patronage of Chris Morgan, the inn houses a fascinating collection of wreckage and maritime artefacts rescued from numerous shipwrecked vessels that foundered on the Cornish coast during the last 400 years. This extraordinary interior was created by a previous owner, Roland Morris, between 1950 and 1960.

Many of its treasures are incorporated into the fabric of the building. The Captain’s

Cabin restaurant is a fascinating recreation of a deck from a period ship, with its fine stern plate from a Portuguese Man O’ War. The Lady Hamilton lounge is home to a magnificent cannon and several rescued ships’ figureheads. The upstairs

bars have extensive views over Penzance harbour towards St Michael’s Mount.

One of the oldest drinking houses in Penzance, The Admiral Benbow has been around since the 17th Century. Legend has it that Robert Louis Stevenson

visited Penzance in 1880 after travelling in America. He had formulated the idea for a book he wanted to call ‘Treasure Island’, but had yet to settle on the starting point for the story.

A visit to the Benbow, which was at that time an illegal drinking den and home to numerous smugglers, is said to have inspired him further and as a nod to the pub, he included the name in his story, which first appeared as a serial in a children’s magazine in 1881.

In 2008, a series of tunnels carved out by smugglers was discovered underneath the inn. It is believed that a famous smuggling gang The Benbow Brandy Men, used the tunnels to transfer brandy, gin and tobacco from the harbour to the premises, thus avoiding unwanted attention from the excise men. Straddling the roof is a model of Octavious Lanyon, who led the Brandy

Men, and he’s still aiming his pistol at the law!

The inn has also been popular with modern celebrities, playing host to many famous visitors, including Gregory Peck, the Rolling Stones and chef Rick Stein, who filmed a segment for his TV series on Cornwall there.

Today, the Admiral Benbow serves a variety of beers, wines

and spirits, including an excellent selection of Cornish ales and fine wines from across the world. The restaurant has a full menu offering a variety of dishes including local seafood. Vegetarian diners also are wellcatered for and daily specials are available.

More information from www.thebenbow.com

Captain and crew are visiting as many pirate events as they can with their stall, not the boat, unfortunately!

We shall have all you will need to bring out ‘yer inner pirate’ from shirts, hats, trousers and flags to piratical accessories beyond count. We stock 17th & 18th Century weaponry, as well as Celtic, Gothic, Steam-punk shirts and T-shirts plus a range of jewellery and accessories. So we hope to see you at one of the events this year, but if you cannot make it, we can be found in Penzance Harbour, Cornwall.

www.bagorags.co.uk

Facebook@pirateBagORags @bagorags1

Penzance Harbour

DMaritime raw folk from France

unkerquebased Sur les Docks, exponents of maritime raw folk, were promoting their latest 12-track CD at the Sweeps Festival in Rochester at the end of April. Je serai Docker (I’d be a Docker) is more melodic than their usual fast and furious style,

yet still a foot-tapping feast for the ears – listen to a sample of Dans les Tavernes du Port on the band’s website.

The seven French musicians and singers plus ace violinist Graham Knibbs from Kent are well-known on this side of The English Channel, with a strong following at the Sweeps and

Faversham Hop Festival

(Editor: As my faded Sur les Docks t-shirt attests,

I’ve been a fan since my first encounter with them at the Prince of Wales, now closed, in Strood, Kent, over a decade ago. Do they deserve a spot in Pirate Plunder’s ‘Shantyman’ section? In response to that question

I present their manager, Cap’tain Shish).

More information from www.surlesdocks.com

Roaring success for Shanty Marathon!

The second Shanty Marathon in aid of the Harwich Shanty Festival took place at the town’s Alma Inn from 28-29 April and was a highly successful event! There

were 26 hours of nonstop shanties and a total of 388 were sung altogether, with shanty crew Mains’l Haul from Maldon singing the most at 58. A shanty was sung

by Nigel Spencer,

the

Deputy Lord Lieutenant

of Essex, and one by two Dutchmen who had never encountered a shanty before!

Some popular shanties

were sung several times over the weekend and even the song Being a Pirate (You can’t be a pirate with all of your parts) was included. Everyone had a really

good time and the atmosphere was electric! A raffle took place each day and there was a stall selling badges and other festival merchandise.

Forfeits were regularly put on the wall to add to the fun, where anyone singing wearing a stripy top or a Breton cap, for instance, or using the word ‘belay’ in their shanty had to make a small donation.

Everyone entered into the spirit of the occasion and about £750 was collected towards this year’s festival, which will take place from 13-15 October.

More information from www.harwichshantyfestival. co.uk

Teign festival goes bi-annual

Two years ago, Teign Maritime & Shanty Festival was an enormous success. Teignmouth and Shaldon were bustling with visitors, which brought much-needed business into the area and raised record funds for various charities.

To make certain that the committee responsible for organising the event have the time and resources required to undertake the huge amount of logistical planning involved and to recruit the additional helpers that are required

to ensure continued success, it was decided to cancel the festival in 2022 and to make it a bi-annual event.

This year’s festival will therefore take place over three days from 8-10 September when its nominated charities

will be the RNLI, Rowcroft Hospice, Teign Heritage Centre and the Alice Cross Centre.

The committee sincerely looks forward to welcoming visitors once again in 2023. They have already begun the planning and recruitment process to make the event even more special and have advised supporters to keep a close eye on the festival’s website and social media for continuing updates. More information from www.teignshantyfestival. co.uk

The Pirate Shop in the North Wales town of Conwy is the UK market leader for swords, daggers, guns, clothing, flags and accessories. A global distributor for Red Dragon Armoury, we sell the products of major international manufacturers such as Deepeeka, Windlass, Art Gladius, Medio Evo and

Marshal Historical in the UK. We also stock other wellknown brands such as Hanwei, GDFB and SPES. On-site facilities at our 12,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre only five minutes from the centre of town include a trade showroom and a product development studio.

Admiral Nelson’s Fighting Sword

Bristol-based Storm Force Ten performed at the festival in 2021.

Red Dragon synthetic sparring cutlass

Recently introduced by The Pirate Shop, its Red Dragon synthetic sparring cutlass is designed for the rigours of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) fighting techniques and is practically unbreakable. Its combination of durability and value for money make it a popular choice for HEMA schools around the globe. It comes in modular form with many options for customisation and is said to be perfect for beginners.

The company’s synthetic swords are also great for film and theatrical use, being cheaper and requiring a good deal less maintenance than their steel or aluminium counterparts.

The total length of the cutlass is 94 cm, with a blade of 76 cm and a grip of 11.5 cm. It weighs 638 g. More information from www.thepirateshop.co.uk

Faux leather tricorn hat

Produced by Epic Armoury of Copenhagen and supplied by Larpinn, a faux leather tricorn hat is sure to give pirates and smugglers all-weather protection.

Made from thick polyurethane material, this tricron has a very wide brim that has been pinned up on three sides, giving the period design three corners or points. The triangular hat is decorated with an elegant canvas-laced trim around the brim, is reinforced with heavy stitching and will not rot

or absorb water. It is available in black and brown, and comes in small, large and extra large sizes.

More information from www.larpinn.co.uk

Pewter pocket flask

More Bigger & Better Pirate Stuff

A six ounce capacity pocket flask made using lead-free pewter materials is offered by Pewter World, with a skull heart cluster design on the front by Gordon W. Robertson, who won the Pewter live competition in 2012 and 2013, and this success led to him being awarded a scholarship by the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust in June, 2013.

funnel is also available to avoid wasting rum when filling the flask!

All of Pewter World’s flasks are supplied in a gift box. However, it is possible to upgrade purchases with a presentation box, which contains two pewter nip cups and a funnel.

The flask measures 110 x 85 x 25 mm.

Tel: 07986 335478

E-mail: larp@darkbladeuk.co.uk

www.darkbladeuk.co.uk

The flask has a wellpolished finish and can be engraved on the back for a personalised gift. It has a screw top and there is an option of a captive top if preferred. A

pewter

‘Party like a Pirate’ Cartouche box from the ‘Whydah Gally’

Nautical shot glasses from

Nauticalia are printed in blue with their customers’ most popular ranks and messages.

In addition to Party

Like a Pirate, these are: Ancient Mariner; Captain; First Mate; Skipper; Bottoms

Up!; and Cheers!

The glasses are also embellished with an anchor motif.

Although a single glass can be bought for personal use, a handsome discount is given for a set of four and these can be in any combination to reflect the crew’s role

or drinking habits!

More information from www.nauticalia.com

PIRATES

This is, of course, a replica of the cartouche or cartridge box found in the wreckage of the Pirate ship ‘Whydah Gally’. She was the flagship of the pirate ‘Black Sam’ Bellamy, which sank in a storm off Cape Cod on 26 April, 1717, taking Bellamy and the majority of his crew with her.

It is made from leather stitched together using linen thread and is useful for holding paper cartridges, percussion caps for a flintlock or simply for stashing wallets, mobile ‘phones, bars of chocolate (not

in view of the general public), etc.

It comes as standard with belt loops, but can be made with a choice of two different widths of shoulder strap instead if desired.

Inserts that can be supplied for the cartouche box include either a 24hole wooden cartridge block, a six-hole wooden cartridge box with tool trays either side or just one large wooden tray. It is 3 inches wide, 6 inches long and 5 inches high.

More information from www.lettersofmarque.co.uk

When buying any of the fine products featured in these pages, I’d be much obliged if ye’d mention Pirate Plunder

Unless ye intends to steal a ship or become a mutineer if ye are already on one, then the best course of action is to sign on with one of the active pirate crews listed on these two pages. If retired from a life of piracy, then ye’ve a duty to keep faith with The Brethren by celebrating ‘International Talk Like a Pirate Day’ on 19th September every year!

Appledore Pirates

www.facebook.com/app.pirates/ Blackwater Pirates

www.facebook.com/groups/2968567940086465/ Brixham Buccaneers www.brixhambuccaneers.co.uk

Brixham Pirate Festival www.brixhampirates.com

Brotherhood of the Black www.brotherhood-of-the-black.co.uk

Cambridge Skeleton Crew www.facebook.com/Cambridge-Skeleton-Pirate-Crew-21145581 05283991/?ref=py_c

Coastal Union of Pirates Privateers Aviators & Steampunks www.facebook.com/groups/564365187654696

Cutthroats, Pirates, Thieves an Fun Lovers www.facebook.com/groups/626925014509041/permalink/986442898557249

Drumskullz

www.facebook.com/drumskullz

East Coast Pirates (Whitby) www.facebook.com/groups/187485482170319

Essex Pirate Society www.facebook.com/groups/245074562902068

Greyhounds of St Edmund www.facebook.com/groups/156887281148110/members

Hastings and Eastbourne Pyrates www.facebook.com/groups/192667164601226/?fref=nf

Hawkhurst Gang Bonfire Society www.hgbs.org.uk

Heart of the South West www.brotherhood-of-the-black.co.uk/fullscreen-page/ comp-jb2kqfu4/d3247830-2479-4c4c-9b37-75d6cc43dd1e/9/%3Fi%3D9%26p%3Df1lx9%26s%3Dstyle-jf9xgtpi

International Talk Like a Pirate Day www.talklikeapirate.com

Peninsular Pyrates www.discoverlandguard.org.uk

Pirates and Smugglers of the UK www.facebook.com/groups/1503592149898698/permalink/2941689819422250

Pirates of Poole, www.piratesofpoole.co.uk

Piratical Union of Buccaneers, Corsairs and Associated Trades www.pubcat.org.uk

Plundering Pirates of the North East www.facebook.com/plunderingpiratesnortheast

Brotherhood of the Black

Pirate Plunder

Brixham Pirate Festival

East Coast Pirates

CUPPAS

PUBCAT

Purbeck Pirates

www.facebook.com/groups/1224784210899407

River Rogues (Pirate living history re-enactment, Oxford) www.facebook.com/groups/riverrogues

Sea Dragon Pirates

www.facebook.com/frank.sharman.79

Sheppey Pirates

www.sheppeypirates.co.uk

Suffolk Free Company: Pirates

www.suffolkfreecompany.org.uk/piratesuffolks

Sully Smugglers

www.sullysmugglers.webs.com

The Jolly Rogers – Dorset

www.jollyrogersdorset.co.uk

The Pirate Castle

www.thepiratecastle.org

The Pirate Society (University of Sussex)

www.facebook.com/sussexpirates

The Pirate’s Rum Bible

www.facebook.com/groups/3461839360611139

The Sea Dragons

www.facebook.com/frank.sharman.79

Vectis Buccaneers Re-Enactment Society

www.facebook.com/Vectis-Buccaneers-Re-enactment-society-499770177437687/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Whitby International Pirate Society

www.whitbypirates.co.uk

Vectis Buccaneers

Sea Dragon Pirates

Heart of the South West

Where to see pirate action

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calendar, but like the weather, dates may be subject to change, so you are advised to check the forecast with the organiser’s website afore setting sail. The Editor of Pirate Plunder would also be much obliged if those arranging festivals would let him know of any changes to location, duration or even cancellation of their events due to battles with bureaucrats, plagues from Far Cathay or other circumstances beyond their control.

Swanage Living History Pirate Festival

Swanage, Dorset

27-28 May, 2023

swanagepiratefestival@gmail.com

Jolly Pirate Mutiny

The Red Lion, Swanage, Dorset

27-28 May, 2023

www.jollyrogersdorset.co.uk

‘Far from the Sea’ Shanty and Pirate Festival

Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire

3 June, 2023

www.facebook.com/profile.

php?id=100057568804802

Falmouth International Sea

Shanty Festival

Falmouth, Cornwall

16-18 June, 2023

www.falmouthseashanty.co.uk

Harry Paye Day

Poole Quay, Poole, Dorset

17 June, 2023

www.piratesofpoole.co.uk

Northwich River Festival

Northwich, Cheshire

15 July, 2023

www.northwichriverfestival.org.uk

Hastings Pirate Day(s)

East Beach Street, Hastings, East Sussex

15-16 July, 2023

www.hastingspirateday.org

Pirate Mutiny

Matlock Bath, Derbyshire

5-6 August, 2023

www.thefishpondmatlockbath.co.uk

Pirate Day

The Torbay Inn, Paignton, Devon

12 August, 2023

www.facebook.com/torbayinn

Military Odyssey Showground, Detling, Kent

26-28 August, 2023

www.military-odyssey.com

List of Advertisers

Whitby Pirate Festival

Whitby, North Yorkshire

1-3 September, 2023

www.facebook.com/whitbypiratefestival

Teign Maritime & Shanty Festival

Teignmouth, Devon

8-10 September, 2023

www.teignshantyfestival.co.uk

Shanty Festival

Brancaster Staithe, North Norfolk

15-17 September, 2023

www.jollysailorsbrancaster.co.uk

International Talk

Like a Pirate Day

All around the Globe

19 September, 2023

www.talklikeapirate.com

Harwich International Shanty Festival

Harwich, Essex

13-15 October, 2023

www.harwichshantyfestival.co.uk