Bartholomew Roberts
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Born:
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1682
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Place of Birth:
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Little Newcastle, Pembrokeshire
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Famous For: Known as Black Bart, probably the most influential pirate ever.
Biography: This notorious sea captain - also known as Black Bart - took piracy to new levels and managed to link his illegal work with a symbolism that would become feared and recognised all over the world. Read more about Bart in this interview from the BBC Wales TV series 'Fishlock's Sea Stories'. In terms of schooling, it is believed that he went to sea while still a child and learned invaluable skills of navigation.  His career in piracy is thought to have started when he was himself captured by another Welsh pirate - Hywel Davis. Within weeks the pirate captain was dead and Black Bart had taken over the captaincy.
It is claimed that he made more than 400 pirate conquests. So proud was he of his work that he designed his own flag. That design was the skull and cross bones - and the flag became known as the Jolly Roger.
Now why not check out our feature on a book about Bart to learn more about this connections with slavery.
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lawence
Jolly Rodger is a kind of symbol for all pirates even if he is altered.
Fri Jul 6 12:40:53 2007
Jerry Leblanc, Haverfordwest
I was under the impression that the Jolly Roger was a corruption of the French Jolie Rouge - given to a Pirate other than Bartti Ddu because he dressed in bright red clothes and laughed as he 'despatched' his captees. I didn't think that Black Bart had any connection to the Jolly Roger, his flag being the skull and crossbones, often with an inverted human form included.
Wed Aug 30 14:59:23 2006
Ray Baker, Pembroke
If you really want more info on Black Bart, then the book to read is "Requiem Shark" by Nicholas Griffin. It's a very good read, even if historically, it's full of holes.
Tue May 24 19:46:41 2005
Wyn, Trefdraeth.
I was told that the press gang caught him on his wedding night in The Llwyngwair Arms, Newport Pembs. Is this true?
Sun Feb 13 23:30:31 2005
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Have you heard any stories about Bart? What's your verdict on him? Add your comments here.
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