Pyrates, The Reality, the Romance, and the Brethren of the Coast

Over the centuries, pyrates have been portrayed as both admirable rouges and bloodthirsty devils, but, one thing that has remained constant is our fascination with the freedom that they represent.

My curiosity and fascination with pirates began with Hollywood renditions of Rafael Sabatini's novels, Captain Blood, The Black Swan, and The Sea Hawk. Such rousing, swashbuckling epics made pirates into heros and the equals of Robin Hood and William Tell. Their roving lives left little behind as an official record of their deeds. Yet, anyone who met a real pirate and "lived to tell the tale," was pressed to tell their story over and over. Thus our image of pirates is made up of a small amount of fact overlaid with nearly three centuries of dramatic exaggeration.

Historical Pirates

Pirates have always been elusive figures. They appeared out of obscurity, briefly held the spotlight of history, then slipped back into darkness. They left no memorials or personal items behind. A few journals have survived to provide us glimpses of pirate life, but the stories and woodcuts published during their time owe more to overzealous imaginations than history.

Although piracy as a method of crime and warfare has existed for almost as long as sea travel, and is still a danger, the era that captures the imagination most is known as the Golden Age of Piracy. It begins in the early 1600s with the rise of England's sea power, to the end of the 1700s, when naval patrols drove pirates from their lairs and mass hangings eliminated the leaders.

The British Navy became the most powerful and feared naval force in the world after the distruction of the Spanish Armada. Spain never recovered from that disaster. Britain was determined to hold onto their advantage at sea by having the most disciplined crews and fastest ships. The cruelty of the British officers and British law at the time caused many men to rebel and even mutiny. This created a situation like non-other before; bands of rebellious independent, well-trained fighters were in control of the most advanced warships of their time.

These pirates were sea robbers and raiders, given to extraordinary acts of cruelty, but in an age of repression they were romanticized for the free life they represented. In 1814, Lord Byron's epic poem, The Corsair, sold 10,000 copies on the first day of publication.

The pirate organization was run more like a co-op business than a feudal kingdom. Every ship had a 'code' to live by, called the 'Articles'. Everyone on board had to adhere to the articles, even the captain, who was generally elected. Infractions were few because the punishments were harsh. Everyone was entitled to a portion of the plunder and it was all drawn up in writing fair and square.

Modern Re-enactment of the Golden Age of Piracy

Modern re-enactment of the Golden Age of Piracy keeps the romance of this adventurous life alive, and the enthusiastic pirates known as the Brethren of the Coast sail the costal waters of southern California entertaining instead of terrorizing the inhabitants. The Brethren of the Coast is a non-profit historical guild, dedicated to the accurate and colorful portrayal of pirates. Founded in 1985, it is the longest running Pirate Guild in southern California. The founder and leader of this brigade of freebooters is the Fearless Captain Jamie Bellows, a walking encyclopedia of pirate lore, fact, and fantasy.

Captain Bellows inspires fierce loyalty in his crew and strikes utter terror in the hearts of those who make the mistake of provoking his ire. When he speaks, he never drops character. Soon you are transported back in time and feel that you are actually talking to the real item! Even before he founded the Brethren he was portraying a pirate at fairs and events and even in films, including Disney's Hook.

Most of his crew come from southern California but membership extends nationwide. The more than 60 members are talented performers with skills in acting, stunts, martial arts, special effects, period artillery, sword fighting, stage combat, costuming, sailing, music, singing, dancing, and historical documentation.

Activities of the Brethren of the Coast

The Brethren of the Coast stages workshops, Spring and Fall whale watches in full costume, the masked Pirate Ball, tavern parties, beach parties, bar-b-ques, and pirate movie marathons. The most anticipated event of the year is the annual cruise to the "Buccaneer Days" celebration in Two Harbors on Catalina Island. The Brethren sail a replica of a menacing, wood-hulled pirate ship into the harbor where they fire the cannons, and announce their conquest of the sea port amidst a volley of pistol and musket fire.

The Brethren of the Coast have performed at the Ohai Renaissance festival, Burbank's Dragonvale Fantasy Faire, the Gold Coast Pirate Festival, the 1996 Olympic torch Relay, the Grand Re-opening of the Redondo Beach Pier, Paramount Pictures' Cutthroat Island promotions, and the annual Cabrillo Sea Fair, which is a children's charity event, complete with a real buried treasure.

Just last month, professional treasure hunters discovered the remains of the real Captain Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, in the waters off the coast of the Carolinas. This will rewrite pirate history as we know it. It is also sure to keep pirate-themed parties in fashion and the Brethren of the Coast busy recreating the romance of the Golden Age of Piracy.

If you are interested in hiring the Brethren of the Coast for your event or social function, or would like a press kit or just want to know about upcoming events and where they will be performing, write to--

Brethren of the Coast
Atten: Gwendolyn Fierce
2820 Honolulu Av. Suite 185
Verdugo City, CA 91046.

If you are feeling a hunger to join this swarthy crew of dastardly cutthroats and you are brave of heart, send your name, address, phone number, information about yourself (your occupation, special talents, etc.), and a cashier's check or money order for $15.00 (US dollars, no personal checks) to the address above. Once they have "given ye a once over, an' sized ye up" they will "figger a way ta git ye out on the sea, an' learn ye the wily pyrate ways."

About the author: Rik Fox is a dashing privateer and Keeper of the Colors for the Brethren of the Coast. He has written about and been active in historical reenactment for several years specializing in Military, Action-Adventure, Science Fiction, and Post-Nuke genres. He is currently working as property master and special effects designer for the C. Thomas Howell film "Dilemma", due out this summer. Rik is also a member of the California State Military Reserve and a former member of rock bands W.A.S.P., Steeler, Sin, and Thunderball.

Photgraphs are by Rick Fox and Eileen O'Hara

Go to previous story: Profile of Gael Stirler

Go to next story: Though the Blood is Strong the Heart is Highland

Return to: Articles Index

This page was last updated Tuesday, 27-May-2003 13:20:31 EDT