The Jolly Roger Flag sometimes called the Skull and Cross Bones Flag or simply the Pirate Flag is the traditional flag of pirates from America and Europe.
There are many versions of tales and legends and even different takes on the history of the Jolly Roger Flag. It is even unclear as to where the name originates.
While the there maybe varying histories of the use of the flag there where no doubt several minor variations in the design of the flag in terms
or the size of the cross bones or the features in the skull above them. Some sources even claim that the flag of a few pirates’ ships were red and not black.
While that is possible and most likely true for some small instances the flag has always been depicted in history with black color background.
One pirate ship that sailed into the harbor at Trepassey, Newfoundland around 1720 had their Jolly Roger Flag flying and created such a panic and fear there
that all 22 vessels in the harbor were abandoned by there crews. This type of result is, after all, is exactly what pirates wanted; this type of intimidation was key.
The goal of a pirate would to capture their targeted ship completely intact along with any cargo it may have and as in this instance without having to fire a shot.
Jolly Roger Flags
