Jolly roger3/15/2023 This description closely resembles the flags of a number of Golden Age pirates. Richard Hawkins, who was captured by pirates in 1724, reported that the pirates had a black flag bearing the figure of a skeleton stabbing a heart with a spear, which they named "Jolly Roger". Neither Spriggs' nor Roberts' Jolly Roger consisted of a skull and crossbones. While Spriggs and Roberts used the same name for their flags, their flag designs were very different, suggesting that already "Jolly Roger" was a generic term for black pirate flags rather than a name for any single specific design. Johnson specifically cites two pirates as having named their flag "Jolly Roger": Bartholomew Roberts in June 1721 and Francis Spriggs in December 1723. Use of the term Jolly Roger in reference to pirate flags goes back to at least Charles Johnson's A General History of the Pyrates, published in Britain in 1724. It went on to become the most commonly used pirate flag during the 1720s, although other designs were also in use. The flag most commonly identified as the Jolly Roger today - the skull and crossbones symbol on a black flag - was used during the 1710s by a number of pirate captains including Black Sam Bellamy, Edward England, and John Taylor. Jolly Roger is the traditional English name for the flags flown to identify a pirate ship preceding or during an attack, during the early 18th century (the later part of the Golden Age of Piracy). The black flag symbolises death and fear, and traditionally signaled that those who surrendered without a fight would be allowed to live. The red flag, known as the " bloody flag" or " blood flag" (among other names), symbolises battle and signaled " no quarter given" when used by pirates, meaning that no mercy would be shown and no life would be spared. But we can admire their adherence to strength, unfailing desire to win, and absolute commitment to fight for their cause.Prior to the advent and popularization of the "Jolly Roger" we know today, pirates flew simple red or black flags, initially devoid of design. Our Jolly Roger patch is a historical nod to the men who were resolute and determined to conquer, albeit for usually less than honorable reasons. That is, no prisoners will be taken in the upcoming struggle. In modern times, the idea of offering no quarter in a fight is often expressed with a phrase along the lines of “Hoist the black flag”. All of them capitalized on the well-founded fear the black flag created among sailors and citizens in port to shake the confidence and undermine the will to fight. Variants of the Jolly Roger were found among many famous pirates (144.1 has produced several of these), each putting their own spin on the imagery of death using some form of the skull, a skeleton or bones. But should anyone try to flee or fight, the time of mercy was over. Usually, some measure of quarter would be given if the ship and crew put up no fight with the Jolly Roger hoisted. Seeing the crude human skull and two femur bones beneath it on a black field hoisted upon a mast would leave no question about what was afoot with an encroaching ship. That pirates living in the 1700s, the heyday of piracy, sailed about with the name “Jolly Roger” for their black flags is a testament to the dark humor of the trade and an ironic reference to their less than jovial nature. ‘Live as much as you can today, there may be no tomorrow’. These ‘rogers’ possessed sharp wit to remain alive and with death always at their door, they probably had a cynical mindset too. ‘Roger’ is an old English word for a ‘wandering vagabond’ which certainly fits the typical pirate. Death follows them whether it is unfortunate passengers or resisting sailors or the pirates themselves, the grim reaper typically had a healthy harvest each time pirates set sail. Pirates are known for their cunning ability to stalk a target and take it down ruthlessly. The term Jolly Roger comes from the historic claim that "Joli Rouge" ("Pretty Red") is a reference to a red flag used by French privateers. This is attributed to red blood, symbolizing violent pirates, ready to attack and kill. One of the few authentic Jolly Rogers in existence.
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