Immerse yourself in the Golden Age of Piracy…  

Join us for a weekend of living history as the Old Royal Naval College is overrun with pirates! 

Spend the day with our crew of mariners and discover life during the ‘Golden Age of Piracy’  – the period between 1650 and 1720 when more than 5,000 pirates were said to have sailed the seas. 

Learn to separate pirate fact from fiction, enjoy songs of the sea, witness small sword and cutlass fights, and hear the tale of a real 18th-century mutiny. The day culminates with a bang as we demonstrate the firepower of pirates and marines in the arena on the lawns overlooking the River Thames. 

In between, you can wander amongst the encampment and get a unique insight into the clothes and weapons of the early 18th century. Listen to live musicians play music of the time, and sample authentic food from the Taste of History period kitchen. A perfect event for families and history enthusiasts alike, you can choose to engage with the various activities or simply enjoy the atmosphere – the choice is yours! 

You will also have access to other areas on site including the Painted Hall.  

Weekend Timetable

Saturday 4th July

• 11:00-17:00 – Welcome in Living Histories (Green Matthews) | King Charles Lawn
• 11:00-11:30 – Know Your Enemy | Painted Hall
• 12:00-12:30 – Green Matthews | Painted Hall
• 13:00-13:30 – Skirmish (Including firepower) | Upper Ground Square
• 14:00-14:30 – Green Matthews | Painted Hall
• 15:00-15:30 – Hoist The Colours | Admirals House
• 16:00-16:30 – Firelocks and Cutlasses | Mezzanine Gallery
• 16:30-17:00 – Green Matthews Depart Living Histories

Sunday 5th July

• 11:00-17:00 – Welcome in Living Histories (Green Matthews) | King Charles Lawn
• 11:00-11:30 – Know Your Enemy | Painted Hall
• 12:00-12:30 – Green Matthews | Painted Hall
• 13:00-13:30-  Skirmish (Including firepower) | Upper Ground Square
• 14:00-14:30 – Green Matthews | Painted Hall
• 15:00-15:30 – Hoist The Colours | Admirals House
• 15:30-16:00 – Green Matthews Depart Living Histories

Shows

Hoist The Colours: The Black Flag, The Jolly Roger, The Skull and Crossbones – Call it what you will. Flags from the Golden Age are instantly recognisable, iconic symbols. Join us in the Painted Hall to find out about the origins of these famous flags, find out which ones were really used and which ones are fiction and listen to some of the stories of the Real Pirates Of The Caribbean.

Know Your Enemy: Pirates are not misunderstood scallywags, they are desperate and dangerous criminals that need to be brought to justice.  Captain Nash, an infamous pirate hunter, invites you to join him in the Painted Hall to learn how to identify a pirate and thus help him apprehend them. Learn about the tropes of the Golden Age of Piracy, unlearn what you know, and be able to separate fact from fiction. And find out how the Painted Hall has its origins in the fortunes and misfortunes of a famous pirate who met his end in London.

Firelocks & Cutlasses: If you have seen a pirate film or tv programme, or even a play like Peter Pan you may have an idea of what kinds of weapons were used in the Golden Age of Piracy. But – Were all pirates experts swordsmen? Did muskets fire every time? Did pirates like to fight? Discover the answers to these questions and more in the Painted Hall and get close to some of the weapons that will appear in the Skirmish in the afternoon.

The Hunt For Henry Every: Henry Every, was regarded as the Arch-Pirate, the man who set the standard for piratical success, but he disappeared in the spring of 1696 – There are those who believe that he changed his identity, settled down somewhere in England lived out his life as respectable gentleman. But that didn’t stop the crown placing the largest reward for any pirate on his head. Captain Nash has been hunting pirates for a decade and now he thinks he has finally found the Arch Pirate and will bring him to justice. Watch the outcome of Captain Nash’s search from the colonnades on Upper Ground Square. Please note this display involves swashbuckling swordplay and gunfire.

Green Matthews: Songs of the Sea:  Our historical balladeers entertain with songs and tunes from the age of sail – Find them in the Living History camp at the beginning and end of the day for impromptu historical  tunes  or midday and 2pm in the Painted Hall for a more hornpipes, jigs and maybe a shanty or two.

Please Note: The Painted Hall will close at 3.30 pm on Saturday 4 Jul.