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Bartholomew Roberts with his ship and captured merchant ships in the background (copper engraving from A History of the Pyrates by Captain Charles Johnson c. 1724
Talk Like A Pirate Day
Sep 19
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"Roberts had grown so rich, he wanted to retire. He took me to his cabin and he told me his secret. 'I am not the Dread Pirate Roberts' he said. 'My name is Ryan; I inherited the ship from the previous Dread Pirate Roberts, just as you will inherit it from me. The man I inherited it from is not the real Dread Pirate Roberts either. His name was Cummerbund. The real Roberts has been retired 15 years and living like a king in Patagonia."
~ The Princess Bride, 1987
Dancing swashbucklers, retired or not, channel your inner pirate with appropriate language today and try integrating an "argh" or "shiver me timbers" into today's featured hornpipe! From a delightfully named collection of dances inspired by William Goldman's novel "The Princess Bride" (later made into the well-known 1987 film), Goldman based his "Dread Pirate Roberts" character on the real-life notorious pirate, Bartholomew Roberts, later known as "Black Bart" (Welsh: Barti Ddu). Born in Wales, Roberts became one of the most feared pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy, raiding ships off the coasts of the Americas and West Africa between 1719 and 1722. Unlike many of his counterparts, Roberts had an extraordinary career, capturing more than 400 vessels, making him the most successful pirate of the era! With figures that make nautical sense and just enough turns to keep you on the starboard side of seasickness, cabin boy to pirate's parrot should enjoy this dance. Yo ho ho and a bottle of whisky! 🏴 ⚔️ ☠️ 🦜
Swashbuckling Dread Pirate Roberts
From the popular novel, "The Princess Bride" published in 1973, Dread Pirate Roberts is a pirate of near-mythical reputation, feared across the seven seas for his ruthlessness and sword fighting prowess, and is well known for taking no prisoners.
It is revealed during the course of the story that Roberts is not one man, but a series of individuals who pass the name and reputation to a chosen successor once they are wealthy enough to retire. When the time comes, "Roberts" and his chosen successor sail into port and discharge the crew. Then they hire a new crew, the ex-Roberts staying aboard as first mate and referring to his successor as "Captain Roberts". Once the crew grows accustomed to the new Roberts, the previous captain leaves to enjoy his retirement.
Inspiration for this character was a real dreaded pirate with the name of Roberts - Bartholomew Roberts, a Welsh pirate who raided ships off the Americas and West Africa between 1719 and 1722. He was the most successful pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy as measured by vessels captured, taking over 400 prizes in his career. He is also known as Black Bart (Welsh: Barti Ddu), but this name was never used in his lifetime.
For more on this fascinating pirate, click the vintage trading card of Bartholomew Roberts - 1888 Allen & Ginter Pirates of the Spanish Main.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
