I would think that they would be more like...Originally Posted by Diamondback
guidelines.
I would think that they would be more like...
guidelines.
Thank you, Billy-Nilly. ;)
Not really -- pirates had Laws, just the same as any society; the fundamental difference was: Those laws applied to *everyone*, from cabin boy to Captain.Awfully strange talk for a pirate.
You see, the big reason folks became pirates back'n'th'day was Social Inequality -- society was strictly regimented, and moving outside one's "station" was nearly impossible; and even if one did, the people who had been born to the station would forever look down their noses at the newcomer. Naval Society was Even Worse -- as David Weber enjoys bludgeoning his reads upside the head with, the order was "God; the Admiralty; the Captain; the Officers; the Midshipmen; the Sailors", and there was *no* recourse to higher authority; if a Lieutenant took a dislike to you, you were SOL on an SoL.
Pirate ships, OTOH, worked considerably differently -- having fled strictly-hierarchical shipboard society, the pirates set about creating a system where No One Man Held Absolute Power, and All Rules Applied To All Men Equally*. Thus, authority on a pirate ship was divided. The "captain" was more accurately the "war master"; he was in charge from the time a sail was sighted until the time it had been captured or run-away-from. Non-combat time, the Quartermaster was typically in charge. Any disputes among the crew were typically handled by a "Bosun" (usually the biggest guy on the ship :) ). The "articles", which were the rules under which the ship was to operate, were generally agreed upon; and everyone who wanted to be a full member of the crew signed them (those who didn't would not share in the plunder).
To be fair, there were folks like Blackbeard who did manage to run their ships as Pratchett-style "one man, one vote" systems (the Captain was The Man; he had The Vote), but it's hard to tell if these were the rule or the exception.
[*: Hmm -- "power divided amongst different branches", and "all men are equal under the rules"; where *have* I heard *that* before? >;) ]
Well IIRC, more than one British Naval officer called us a "Nation of Bloody Pirates"
Karl
Nice video from recent Spiel 2013
http://boardgamegeek.com/video/35767...oth-spiel-2013
They were just jealous because those foppy frilly duds their officers wore did not go over well with the ladies. They did go over well with the other crewmen, though.Well IIRC, more than one British Naval officer called us a "Nation of Bloody Pirates"
Karl
Good judge of characterWell IIRC, more than one British Naval officer called us a "Nation of Bloody Pirates"
Thanks for the video and hope to see them soon. Wonder what the next era will be? Could do an ACW they did have sails & steam so would be a little different. Sort of like Wings going from WWI to WWII.
If they went for riverine ACW actions as a basis the modes would definitely be easier to produce :)
Started another Thread and your input would be well accepted by all.
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