Rare 18th century red Jolly Roger pirate flag goes on public display for first time

It once sent a shiver down the timbers of sailors everywhere but now this rare 18th century pirate flag has taken pride of place at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

A rare 18th Century red Jolly Roger pirate flag

It once sent a shiver down the timbers of sailors everywhere but now this rare 18th century pirate flag has taken pride of place at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
The unusual red Jolly Roger flag was captured in a battle off the coast of North Africa in 1780 and has gone on public display for the first time in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
The red background was the most feared as it meant that the pirates would kill anyone they defeated, paying no heed to the usual rules of engagement.
The red flag was known as the ‘Jolie Rouge’, meaning ‘pretty red’, and it is thought the name may have been corrupted into English as Jolly Roger.
Curators at the museum believe the feared skull and crossbones symbol is an excellent example of those used at the time.
The skull and crossbones on a black flag was originally used to denote disease and quarantine, as the symbol stood for death.
Pirate flags, which became popular in the 1700s, later developed to include full skeletons, cutlasses and bleeding hearts.
The ensign belongs to Pamela Curry, who is descended from Lt Richard Curry, who captured the flag in the 18th century.
The flag was restored at the Winchester School of Arts Textile Conservation Centre in 2007 where it was found to have traces of gunpowder on it.
A new gallery, set to open in 2014, will reportedly show how the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary fought and continue to fight piracy.