Black Bart' Bartholomew Roberts

Bartholomew Roberts, referred to as the " Great Pirate Roberts", or Black Bart, was a very successful pirate - capturing over 400 ships and over a million pounds in loot. He wore fancy clothing including a rich crimson waistcoat and breeches, a red feathered hat and diamond cross.

Born in South Wales in 1682, John Bartholomew Roberts, was the last great pirate of the golden age. Black Bart was known as a tall, dark, and attractive man, with "personal Bravery, though he applied it to such wicked purposes". In time of action, he was known to carry two pairs of pistols at the end of a silk sling across his shoulder.

Black Bart's was a man of bravery and courage and he used surprise and cunning to great effect. He once sailed into Trepassey in Newfoundland, in a sloop of ten guns and sixty men, with "black colors flying, drums beating and trumpets sounding." The crews of the twenty-two ships in anchor in the harbor, immediately fled to safety off shore.

Bartholomew Roberts held so much hatred for the people of the islands of Martinique and Barbados, that he created his black flag to illustrate it. On it was an image of himself, 'Black Bart', holding a flaming sword in one hand, and dagger in the other. His feet resting on two human skulls. Under one the initials A.M.H., for A Marinican’s Head, and beneath the other, A.B.H., for A Barbadian Head.

Bartholomew Robert's career came to an end when he was killed at sea in a conflict off the coast of Africa. Black Bart's dead body was thrown overboard by his crew as he had always insisted.