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nAye,na pirate he was born to be, when he was born in Wales on this daynin 1682. He be born John Roberts—an ordinary name, to be sure—andnhe went to sea as a lawful sailor when he was but 13 years old. Afternyears of working for low wages, Roberts be kidnapped by pirates, andnthey saw that he be a fine navigator. (‘Twas monstrous important to navigate well, on the seas!) ‘Tweren’t long afore the pirate captainnthat stole Roberts was killed, and Roberts was chosen as headncaptain of th’ pirates!
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Now,nthis Roberts took the name Bartholomew—me thinks that many a piratenchanged his name, mayhap to protect law-abiding kin backnhome—and some people called him “Black Bart” (or BartinDdu in Welsh.)
Now,nthis Roberts took the name Bartholomew—me thinks that many a piratenchanged his name, mayhap to protect law-abiding kin backnhome—and some people called him “Black Bart” (or BartinDdu in Welsh.)n
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nRobertsnan’ his scurvy mates did many a raid on ships off th’ coastsnof America and West Africa. ‘Tis strange to tell that Roberts, a pirate who was rightnreluctant to even be a pirate, be the most successful pirate of th’ whole Golden Age of Piracy. He took more’n 470 prizes (ships)nin his career!
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nBynth’ way…
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nRobertsnbe born in Casnewydd-Bach, which translates to “Little Newcastle.”nFor more on Welsh names, setnyer eyes on this earlier post.
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nMayhapnye’ve heard tale of the Dread Pirate Roberts—’twas the piratenWestley pretended to be in ThenPrincess Bride. Here bensome other links to pirate posts: stories of the true pirates of thenCaribbean over here, Anne Bonny over there, and Talk Like a Pirate Day. n
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nAlsonon this date:
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nAnniversary of the discovery of Jupiter’s belts
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nGalician Literature Day
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