mung's Comments
RE: seriously
You're right mate. Early pirate flags were a white flag dyed red which signified that surrender was expected or blood would be shed. The French dubbed this "Le Joli Rouge" or "the pretty red" as you said. The name caught on and when the skull and crossbones came into use he became the Jolly Roger.
As for the vicious reputation that pirates were given, well, most merchant ships upon seeing pirates surrendered immediately without the slightest struggle. Upon returning home they made up tall tales of the alledged atrocities they faced in order to avoid being called cowards, kind of like a guy telling his friends he got beat up buy six guys instead of one. This suited pirates just fine since it facillitated the process of plundering.
Pirates were given a bad rap. They were simply free spirits that were sick of the system. Sick of watching the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. They were the forerunners of democracy. Read up on them and speak out in their defence. Give them the honor that they deserve. Edward "Blackbeard" Teach's only wish wasn't to be rich, but to be remembered.
You're right mate. Early pirate flags were a white flag dyed red which signified that surrender was expected or blood would be shed. The French dubbed this "Le Joli Rouge" or "the pretty red" as you said. The name caught on and when the skull and crossbones came into use he became the Jolly Roger.
As for the vicious reputation that pirates were given, well, most merchant ships upon seeing pirates surrendered immediately without the slightest struggle. Upon returning home they made up tall tales of the alledged atrocities they faced in order to avoid being called cowards, kind of like a guy telling his friends he got beat up buy six guys instead of one. This suited pirates just fine since it facillitated the process of plundering.
Pirates were given a bad rap. They were simply free spirits that were sick of the system. Sick of watching the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. They were the forerunners of democracy. Read up on them and speak out in their defence. Give them the honor that they deserve. Edward "Blackbeard" Teach's only wish wasn't to be rich, but to be remembered.
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Ye be dead wrong me bucko. You're thinking of privateers which were scum in service to various monarchies and used as a patsy. Pirates answered to none but themselves and their crewmates. The Cap'n was even elected by popular vote and could be voted out at any time if considered incompetent. And I'm not referring to mutiny which is what happened on mercahnt and navy ships when underpaid and overworked sailors got fed up and decided to give the heirachy what they deserve. Do your homework and quit spreading lies ye scurvy dog.