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Pirate

Black Bart

Little Newcastle, Pembrokeshire

A Welsh sailor who became the most successful pirate of the Golden Age.

Bartholomew Roberts was born John Roberts in the village of Casnewydd Bach. Captured by pirates in 1719, he was elected captain within weeks.

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When
Born c. 1682
Where
51.9300, -5.0300
Group
Pirates

Visiting

A memorial stone stands on the village green.

Cover of Blood and Gold by Cale Mills
From the book

Blood and Gold

The Welsh knew him as Barti Ddu, and the English world would come to know him as Black Bart, but that name was given to him long after his death. In life he was simply Captain Roberts, and no one is quite sure why the plain John of his birth became Bartholomew.

Sixteen true stories of mutiny, mercy, treasure and the gallows from the Golden Age of Piracy: Henry Every, Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts, Edward England, Howell Davis, Christopher Moody, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Charles Vane, Benjamin Hornigold, Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet, Israel Hands, Calico Jack, Edward Low, Captain William Kidd and Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy. Where the record is uncertain, the book says so.

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