An unwilling prisoner, a popular leader, a lustful worshiper, and a reformer in the operation of the condition. Bartholomew Roberts was the captain behind every pirate heart. Arrrrr!
John Roberts Black Bart was born on the fifteenth day of May 1682 in the village of Newwydd-Bach, in Wales. At some point he changed his name to Bartholomew , but he was never called Black Bart in his life. He went to sea before the age of 13, and seems to have been a good sailor until the year 1819. The ship in which he served in the Prince of London was captured at that time by pirates led by Howell Davis. . Robert was forced to join the band of pirates, and he did so with difficulty.
Just six weeks later, when Davis was ambushed and killed, the pirates created a new leader, Robert. It was a remarkable honor, as he had only been with the crew for six weeks, and had refused to join. Robert considered the offer and agreed, saying that “since he had put his hands in Muddy Watre, and had to be a pirate, it was better to be a leader than a common man.”
He kept his sailor’s respect for Robert. He was an excellent navigator, and respected the wishes of the sailors. He was said to be confident and bearing, and he was a handsome man who cut a striking figure. Before he went to fight, he would put on his most beautiful clothes, like crimson breastplates and thighs, a red feather for a hat, a diamond cross, on a golden collar hanging from his neck, and equipped with two pairs of pistols and a sword.
Robert’s ship runs as a relatively popular enterprise. A list of articles sworn by Robert and his men, including the following doctrines;
1. Each one took a vote in any matter concerning the common welfare.
2. Any attempt to defraud the shipping company will result in the defendant’s property.
3. Any attempt to drag the ship would result in a cut nose and ears.
4. Candles and lights all from 8 p.m. If people wanted to drink beyond that time, they could do so in the dark.
5. No gambling with tickets or cards was given on board.
6. To keep guns, machete, and scalpel very clean and ready for use at all times.
7. There was no fighting between the sailors – the quarrels were to be ended by a duel on dry land.
8. Solitude in battle will be entwined with death or death.
9. Any loss of disabled member shall be paid 80% of the pension portion. Minor damages are paid proportionately.
10. Musicians were not required to work on the Sabbath. (On all other days they had to act at the request of some sailor).
Black Bart was killed by gunners while fighting on HMS Hirundo. They buried him in the sea before his body was captured by the enemy. Only 3 pirates, including Roberts, died in battle that day but 272 were captured. Roughly a third were acquitted and released, the rest were either sold into slavery, condemned to death, or sent to London for a further trial. The trial of the pirates was the greatest in history, and almost the end of the golden age of piracy.
