A Welshman who’s big in Japan

In May this year, a young lady, Noriko Osaki from the city of Kochi, Japan, came to Little Newcastle in Pembrokeshire, the birthplace of the famous pirate, Barti Ddu. The vicar, honorary Canon Richard Davies, explains.

Whilst we were chatting, she told me there were thousands back home in Japan who were very interested in Barti Ddu. She explained that Barti has a prominent place in the computer game Fate Grand Order.

The village’s most renowned character has fascinated people for centuries, regarded as he is as one of the most successful pirates of all time – having captured far more ships than Blackbeard, who is much more famous. And the children of Wales will hardly forget reciting I.D. Hooson’s ode to Barti Ddu at various eisteddfodau over the years. The people of Wales will always have a certain affection for those who are prepared to challenge the Establishment, which is exactly what Barti Ddu did successfully for three years!

Today, attitudes towards him are changing somewhat, a reflection of the Black Lives Matter movement that has led to revisiting a number of well known figures.

Born in 1682, according to folklore, Bartholomew Roberts began his naval career at a very young age. By 1719, when he was forced into piracy, as a second mate on Princess, a slave trading ship. As captain of the Royal Fortune, one of the most horrific incidents associated with him was in Whydah (Benin) when a large number of slaves lost their lives in a most horrific manner, due to Barti Ddu.

Nevertheless, some romantic notions about him remain along with a number of surprising facts. He was very religious, and, according to history, would make people take their oath on his Welsh Bible. He respected Sunday as a day of rest and would abstain from attacking ships on Sundays. He also abstained totally from alcohol and was a tea drinker!

He also liked music and there was a small band on board his ship. According to some, the English name Jolly Roger originates from his 'hearty laughter' and affection for red damask. Barti was killed in 1722 by the crew of HMS Swallow, and the captain, Chaloner Ogle was knighted – the only captain in Royal Naval history to receive such an honour for killing a pirate.

According to Stanley Richards in his book about Barti Ddu, the last of his family was Thomas, the village cobbler who died in 1853 and was buried in the churchyard, but no gravestone marks the spot. His descendants are unknown, but one of the honorary canons is believed to be a descendant of Thomas' sister, Jane!