Pirates - Brethren of The Coast - History of the Group 1985 to Present

1625 - 1800

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History of The Brethren

W ith decades as a reenactor for groups such as the SCA, Renaissance fairs, Gypsy bands, Regency dancers, Mongolian tribes, Victorian players, then observing Civil War and similar reenactments, Captain Jamie Bellows aspired to create a host of pirates characterizing the 17th and 18th centuries. Seeing beyond the concept of 'reenactors', the Captain set out to create what he felt might be more of a Pirate 'movement'.

F ollowing a party with 50 people aboard the Buccaneer Queen in 1984 - which featured a visit to a location from the film Captain Blood, sword fighting, and even a treasure hunt - Captain Bellows returned to shore and early in 1985 officially founded the organization that is now known as The Brethren of the Coast. Company articles were drafted, the official flag was designed, a small annual dues charged, and the organization's roster quickly grew.

F rom 1985 to 1998, Captain Bellows took a group annually on The Pilgrim of Newport (built by Dennis Holland - now the Spirit of Dana Point). Taking 3 to 4 months of preparation, the Captain and a dozen or more pirates welcomed 80 guests, performing for them through skits, song, music, and dance. Assured 'the craze' was solidly founded, the Brethren continued to grow, elaborating on the original vision of the Captain to keep audiences laughing, jigging, terrified and awed with performances ranging from fire eating to knotty tricks for over twenty years.

T he Brethren have sailed or performed ashore at locations such as Ports O' Call in San Pedro, Newport Beach, Catalina Island, Dana Point, Ventura Harbor, Lake Arrowhead, Redondo Beach, Ojai, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and could be seen at the passing of the Olympic Torch, as well as in films and television.

T he Brethren of the Coast is the longest running pirate guild on the US west coast. Numerous groups have since evolved, branched off or arisen from mutinies within the Brethren's ranks over the years, yet Captain Bellows retains and continues to enlist the finest and most loyal crew ever.