The latest batch of Pirates Of The Caribbean films, has reminded us of the romantic image of the pirate. Almost always portrayed as English, most pirates were English and the earlier ones, known as privateers, operated with the agreement of Elizabeth I of England.

According to the original story of Captain Jack Sparrow, he started his naval as a ship’s captain for the East India Trading Co. Many had similar backgrounds. Privateers dury was to attack Spanish vessels and capture their treasure. They did not sail under the flag of England, and there was no official acknowledgement from the Queen, but privateers paid a portion of their treasure to the crown. Sir Francis Drake was thought to be a privateer.

When some refused to turn over their treasure and even started attacking English merchant ships, pirates were then classed as outlaws. The East India Trading Co. was often attacked by pirates and hunted them down in order to stop the attacks, because the company was essential to the economy of England.

While piravateers ships belonged to aristocrats, the sailors in them outlaw pirates came from the lower classes. They were rough and ruthless, killing all on board a captured ship. If rich passengers were caught they were held for ransom, and even when ransoms were paid, victims were rarely returned to their families.

Captain Jack Sparrow goes back more to the gentleman privateers, rather than the lower class hooligans and criminals who terrorized travellers the on the shipping channels from the New World and the old. Captain Barbosa was one of the the ruffian class. Men for both merchant and naval ships in England were often forced into service. Press crews would trawl the bars and pubs in the poorer parts of the city and grab all men able to make up crews. These men wlate on turned to mutiny and piracy.

Pirates have long been thought in romantic terms and Captain Jack Sparrow outfit fits the image. If you are thinking of a costume to wear this Halloween, consider one from Captain Jack Sparrow trousseau.