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neveralarchThe subject line is a lie. But onward.
Walking the plank is often pegged as a myth, but it actually did happen (though apparently rarely). The first reference to it is a good century later than this episode was supposedly set, but what the heck. Similar for the Jolly Roger - that name doesn't appear to have been in use until the eighteenth century, but the flags had been a thing for a while. Black spots, on the other hand, are entirely an invention of one Robert Louis Stevenson, for Treasure Island. They're more of a homage here than anything, so, once again, a pass. (I'm sorry, I'm one of those people who care about historical accuracy in everything, I know I shouldn't be bothering, it's Doctor Who. You'd think twenty years of renaissance faires would have taught me better.)
The one actual historical thing - Captain Avery! When they said his name I was like, Henry Avery? Long Ben? AND THEN I WAS RIGHT. Which is fortuitous, because he's one of like three pirates I actually know anything about. It is because he is an outlier in pirating - a success. Henry Avery (or Every, or Long Ben, or John Avery, or whatever), was the richest pirate ever, and then he retired and took all his cash with him. He did indeed steal the Grand Mughal's treasure, and he did indeed disappear more or less without a trace afterward. He was nearly captured by the authorities, but escaped with 111 out of his 113 men and all of the treasure. Most people think he lit out for Ireland or the English countryside, but I suppose wrecked alien spaceship is a viable option. The story's way more interesting and complicated than what I outlined here, though - definitely check out the Wikipedia page if you're interested.
ALSO, RORY WOULD ALSO LIKE A BEARD. My beard-related squee is approaching levels not seen since I finished watching all of Delgado's run. I've started making manips.
I'm sorry. Really. Let me make it better with Avery's possibly maybe, but awesome anyway pirate flag:
It's a skull with a kerchief and earring, how rad is that?
Walking the plank is often pegged as a myth, but it actually did happen (though apparently rarely). The first reference to it is a good century later than this episode was supposedly set, but what the heck. Similar for the Jolly Roger - that name doesn't appear to have been in use until the eighteenth century, but the flags had been a thing for a while. Black spots, on the other hand, are entirely an invention of one Robert Louis Stevenson, for Treasure Island. They're more of a homage here than anything, so, once again, a pass. (I'm sorry, I'm one of those people who care about historical accuracy in everything, I know I shouldn't be bothering, it's Doctor Who. You'd think twenty years of renaissance faires would have taught me better.)
The one actual historical thing - Captain Avery! When they said his name I was like, Henry Avery? Long Ben? AND THEN I WAS RIGHT. Which is fortuitous, because he's one of like three pirates I actually know anything about. It is because he is an outlier in pirating - a success. Henry Avery (or Every, or Long Ben, or John Avery, or whatever), was the richest pirate ever, and then he retired and took all his cash with him. He did indeed steal the Grand Mughal's treasure, and he did indeed disappear more or less without a trace afterward. He was nearly captured by the authorities, but escaped with 111 out of his 113 men and all of the treasure. Most people think he lit out for Ireland or the English countryside, but I suppose wrecked alien spaceship is a viable option. The story's way more interesting and complicated than what I outlined here, though - definitely check out the Wikipedia page if you're interested.
ALSO, RORY WOULD ALSO LIKE A BEARD. My beard-related squee is approaching levels not seen since I finished watching all of Delgado's run. I've started making manips.
I'm sorry. Really. Let me make it better with Avery's possibly maybe, but awesome anyway pirate flag:
It's a skull with a kerchief and earring, how rad is that?
