Pirate Code (35 page)
Authors: Helen Hollick
Tags: #Hispaniola - History - 18th Century, #Romance, #Man-Woman Relationships, #Pirates, #Fiction, #Historical, #Fantasy, #Great Britain - History; Naval - 18th Century, #Historical Fiction, #Nassau (Bahamas) - History - 18th Century, #Sea Captains
Taffrail
– upper rail along the ship’s stern.
Tompions
– muzzle-plugs to protect the bore from salt corrosion etc.
Transom
– planking forming the stern.
Trim
– a term used for adjusting the sails as the wind changes.
Waist
– the middle part of the ship.
Wake
– the line of passage directly behind as marked by a track of white foam.
Warp
– to move a ship by hauling or pulling her along on warps (ropes); also the name of the ropes which secure a ship when moored (tied up) to a jetty or dock.
Weigh anchor
– to haul the anchor up; more generally, to leave port.
Widow maker
– term for the bowsprit.
Windward
– the side towards the wind as opposed to leeward.
Yard
– a long spar suspended from the mast of a vessel to extend the sails.
Yardarm
– either end of the yard.
About the Author
Helen Hollick lives in London with her husband and adult daughter. In between researching the background information for her historical novels, and her pirate series about Jesamiah Acorne, she spends most of her time helping with her daughter’s horses as chief groom and general run-around. She has a university diploma in early medieval history – and a passion for pirates.
For up-to-date information visit Helen's website:
www.helenhollick.net
Also by Helen Hollick
The Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy
The Kingmaking: Book One of the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy
Pendragon’s Banner: Book Two of the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy
Shadow of the King: Book Three of the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy
The Saxon 1066 Series
A Hollow Crown
(UK edition title)
The Forever Queen
(US edition title)
Harold The King
(UK edition title)
I Am The Chosen King
(US edition title)
The Sea Witch Voyages
Sea Witch: The first voyage of pirate Cpt Jesamiah Acorne
Pirate Code: The second voyage of Cpt Jesamiah Acorne
Bring It Close: The third voyage of Cpt Jesamiah Acorne
Ripples In the Sand: The fourth Voyage of Cpt Jesamiah Acorne
(published autumn 2011)
Find out more about Helen Hollick and her writing at
www.helenhollick.net
Praise for Helen Hollick’s novels
Hollick’s enormous cast and meticulous research combine to create a convincing account of the destructive reign of the hapless Edward and the internecine warfare that weakens England as William prepares to invade. Thanks to Hollick’s masterful storytelling, Harold’s nobility and heroism enthrall to the point of engendering hope for a different ending to the famous battle of 1066.
Publisher’s Weekly
Don’t miss Helen Hollick’s colourful recreation of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest in
Harold The King.
Daily Mail
An epic re-telling of the Norman Conquest
The Lady
If only all historical fiction could be this good
Historical Novels Review
Hollick joggles a cast of characters and a bloody, tangled plot with great skill
Publishers Weekly
Most impressive
The Lady
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Jo for her patience in editing
Pirate Code
, for patience she has by the shipload. Editing is important for no author can successfully critique their own work, and a good editor, when found, is treasured. Without Jo’s input and encouragement,
Pirate Code
very nearly foundered. Thank you to Michaela for helping with the Spanish and French, Yolanda in Holland for the Dutch, and to Kelly for being ‘my reader’. Also to James L. Nelson and to Vicki for help with the sailing scenes. All errors are my own landlubber blunders!
I am indebted to Mal for his support, to the team at SilverWood Books for their enthusiasm and to Cathy Helms of AvalonGraphics for the beautiful covers and sorting out the maps, the ship logo – and for being there for me as a good friend. Also, thank you to Ray, her husband, for posing as a pirate!
Finally, thank you to husband Ron and especially to my daughter, Kathy – otherwise known as Cutlass Kate; her enthusiasm for dressing up as a pirate, whenever needed, is much appreciated.
Helen Hollick
2011
Table of Contents