Jolly Roger

Whereas many children find it hard to identify their own national flag, the majority would be able to pick out the flag flown by pirates, as well as knowing its name - the Jolly Roger.

Characters like Blackbeard, Long John Silver and Captain Hook have, over the years, brought the pirate trade of yesteryear to life for millions of youngsters around the world and more recntly there have been the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

 The name for the famous flag is thought to come from the French joli rouge meaning “pretty red”. This was the colour of the flag originally used to strike fear into captains of the high sea. All seamen knew that the flag meant that ‘no quarter would be given’ (no lives would be spared) when they were captured.

Contrary to popular belief, these flags - flown by the nastiest of pirates - weren’t always black & white. White flags were used in the initial pursuit, black & white flags were raised as a warning when their quarry would not submit readily and finally, the red flag indicated the very worst intentions.

Interestingly, different symbols were used on the flags including the skull, which signified death and a skeleton with horns, which indicated a tormented death. The life of a sea merchant was certainly less than desirable!