The Pirates of St Piran

You may think pirates are a thing of a past, just characters in stories, that you're completely safe when setting out on the high seas. But you would be wrong. Because somewhere in the dark mists of Cornwall is a bunch of those scurvy seadogs wreaking havoc and capturing the hearts of the ladies.

We managed to get our hands on Captain 'Arry Crow and ask him a few questions...

When and how did you first become interested in pirates?

Since I was a young boy, growing up in Cornwall, for as long as I can remember I was always captivated by the local legends & tales of Arthurian knights, smugglers, and pirates. Cornwall is a place so steeped in myths and legends it is impossible not to be inspired by its history.

What is it about pirates that interests you so much?

Pirates especially captured my imagination for many reasons: I have always loved the outlaw-hero romanticism; at one time they were privateer’s, considered heroes and the pride of England. Then rejected by the crown, they were abandoned and forced to live outside the law.

I love the gothic fashions and style of the eighteenth century, I would have also loved the freedom and adventure of the high seas. A pirate's life was not a glamorous one, but they lived by a code that meant they were considered equals – every man had a say in things and a share of the spoils. The Captain was voted in and it was in his interest to keep the crew happy or face mutiny: crew were treated far better aboard a pirate ship than a naval ship.

How did you first put together the Pirates of St Piran, and what sort of people are involved?

I had previously been a member of a Roman Gladiator re-enactment group which had ended, my fiancée and myself both shared a love of pirates and most things eighteenth century, so decided to start our own group earlier this year: 'The Pirates Of St Piran'. We knew a couple of people from the Gladiators and some friends that loved pirates that would come aboard and put an advert in the local paper for volunteers. We now have almost 30 members and even two parrots that come to events with us!

Our members are from all different walks of life, many of us are goths and pagans but we are all different. The one thing I belive we all share is the love of escapism – modern life can be so monotonous at times and brings with it so many unnecessary pressures, Our group gives its members, and hopefully our audience, the chance to escape the pressures of modern life (If only briefly) and be your 'Pirate Self' or even someone completely different.

Pirates are hugely popular, especially since the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. Why do you think pirates are so fascinating to our modern society?

I think it’s because they are stylish, flamboyant, and uncompromising: a pirate would not be expected to make an apology for who they are, or what they do. We live in a world where we try so hard to be accepted, even within select alternative groups, and especially in Britain we seem a little afraid to speak out, and the idea of the Outlaw Captain Jack Sparrow type of character is not only one of confidence, individuality and roguish charm, but also their comfort with their selves. Many of our heroes throughout history and in fiction were outside of the law - Robin Hood, Dick Turpin, The Crow, Dracula - I think we are drawn to them because we envy them a little.

You also have female pirates in your group. Is it not bad luck to have women aboard a ship?

Personally I’d consider years at sea without having women aboard to be pretty bad luck myself! And there were many very successful female pirates in history such as 'Mary Reid' and 'Ann Bonny' – It was the military that considered it bad luck – pirates were not swayed by such superstitions and often took their women (and anyone) to sea with them. Our female pirates are just as good as the men and I wouldn’t dream of saying any different (Gulp!)

How much do you try to ensure historical accuracy of your characters, costumes and re-enactments?

Historical accuracy - In the words of Barbossa 'is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules.' We want to give the public what they want to see – the stylish Hollywood pirate rather than totally historically accurate one. If we were totally historically correct people would not recognise us as pirates; we would be running around barefoot in white canvas shorts made out of sails. We use the weapons and wear clothes in the style of the era but we are not anal about the historical accuracy as long as we look like 'pirates as they are imagined by our audience', which is basically the Treasure Island and Pirates of the Caribbean image. Our pirate characters are made up and also our re-enactments – be it a mutiny aboard a ship, a tavern brawl, or an execution escape we like to keep it varied and born of our own imagination.

What kind of sword-fighting training do you provide to new recruits?

As re-enactors the sword fighting is different from martial arts or competition fighting so all our training is done in-house. We start by demonstrating basic attacks and blocks and when the recruit is controlled and safe with those moves we expand into slow choreographed fights and everyone can work at their own pace getting faster and more elaborate with time.

We are not just about the swordplay there are also purely theatrical roles; people have the freedom to put in and take from the group what they like - we even have musicians and shanty singers within the group.

What does it take to be a truly fearsome pirate?

For my character, 'Arry Crow', it’s an uncompromising manner, a gravelly voice, and an evil stare, but there are other kinds of fearsome pirates like the cold and steely silent approach of 'Pagan Blackheart' or the truly terrifying way 'Mad Mary Peg' sneers whilst peeling an apple. There is a truly fearsome pirate in all of us but be warned once its unleashed you may like it, if so you can get everything a pirate needs by visiting Deadeye Jacks Cabin; a pirate shop run by Captain 'Arry & Eloise.

Keller is EGL Magazine's editor. She has a degree in Writing which includes Journalism and isn't actually that keen about water and sailing.