Pirates is a Lego

Lego

Lego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...

 theme launched in 1989 featuring pirates, soldiers, islanders and sailing ship

Sailing ship

The term sailing ship is now used to refer to any large wind-powered vessel. In technical terms, a ship was a sailing vessel with a specific rig of at least three masts, square rigged on all of them, making the sailing adjective redundant. In popular usage "ship" became associated with all large...

s. The theme has been seen in minifigure scale, Duplo

Duplo

Duplo is a product range of the construction toy Lego, designed for children aged 1½ to 6 years old. Duplo bricks are twice the length, height and width of traditional Lego bricks , as a result being easier to handle – as well as being far harder to swallow – by younger children...

 and the 4+

Lego 4+

Lego 4+ was a Lego theme for children 4 years old or more. The product range used regular Lego bricks but came with a different kind of minifigure that were larger and couldn't be disassembled...

 theme.

The original Pirates sets included the first Lego minifigure

Minifigure

A Lego minifigure is a small plastic articulated figurine available as part of the construction toy Lego, produced by Danish toy manufacturer the Lego Group. They were first produced in 1978, and have become hugely successful, with over 3.7 billion produced, and the figure appearing in a variety...

s without the traditional head with simply two eyes and a smile; they had a variety of different printed features including hair

Hair

Hair is a filamentous biomaterial, that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Found exclusively in mammals, hair is one of the defining characteristics of the mammalian class....

, eyepatch

Eyepatch

An eyepatch or eye pad is a small patch that is worn in front of one eye. It may be a cloth patch attached around the head by an elastic band or by a string, or an adhesive bandage. It is often worn by people to cover a lost or injured eye, but it also has a therapeutic use in children for the...

es and facial hair

Facial hair

Facial hair is a secondary sex characteristic of human males. Men often start developing facial hair in the later years of puberty or adolescence, approximately between 17–20 years of age, and most do not finish developing a fully adult beard until their early 20s or even later...

.

Alongside the Pirates released for 1989 were Governor Broadside's blue-coated troops who were to fight the Pirates. These forces were based upon the French navy and marines of the colonial era, being known as "Imperial Soldiers" by fans, though explicitly identified as "Governors" on page 16 of the 1990 American catalog. A comic book entitled "The Gold Medallion" was also released in that year, as well as a Ladybird Book series. From 1992-93, the Governors were gradually replaced by the red-coated

Red coat (British army)

Red coat or Redcoat is a historical term used to refer to soldiers of the British Army because of the red uniforms formerly worn by the majority of regiments. From the late 17th century to the early 20th century, the uniform of most British soldiers, , included a madder red coat or coatee...

 Imperial Guards, while existing Governors sets that continued in production were considered part of the Guards. Both the Governors and the Imperial Guards used two crossed cannons under a crown as their emblem.

A sub-theme loosely based on a Polynesian

Polynesian culture

Polynesian culture refers to the indigenous peoples' culture of Polynesia who share common traits in language, customs and society. Chronologically, the development of Polynesian culture can be divided into four different historical eras:...

 concept, the Islanders, was released for 1994. For 1996 Lego changed the entire "feel" of the Pirates line and made it Spanish-influenced. This meant the Imperial Guards were replaced by the Imperial Armada, heavily based on the Spanish Armada

Spanish Armada

This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...

. Along with this change, the pirates were also given new faces. For 1997 Lego discontinued the Pirates theme; the theme's end at this time came as a shock to fans, because the Pirates line had always been a big seller.

Two 1996 Pirate sets, "Red Beard Runner" and "Armada Flagship", and one 1994 Islanders set, "Enchanted Island", were re-released for 2001. The 1989 Pirates set "Black Seas Barracuda" was updated and re-released for 2002 for the Lego Legends series. The Pirates theme was brought to 4+ for 2004 and Duplo for 2006. Lego reintroduced Pirates in minifigure scale for 2009, just in time for the theme's 20th anniversary. However, the series was only continued with a single set the following year to make room for a series of licensed products, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean is a Lego theme that is based on the film series of the same name. There are a total of 9 sets that are known. The first wave was released on May 2011 with the second wave coming out on November 2011....

, based on the series of films of the same name

Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)

Pirates of the Caribbean is a series of fantasy-adventure films directed by Gore Verbinski and Rob Marshall , written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...

.

Set list

Set names from UK, Australia & New Zealand given in brackets.

Pirates (1989-1997, 2001-2002)

• 1989

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
6235	Buried Treasure (Bo'sun Will)	Pirate, Monkey
6251	Pirate Mini Figures	Pirate, Captain, 2 Imperial Soldiers, Parrot
6255	Pirate Comic	2 Pirates
6257	Castaway's Raft (Pirate's Raft)	3 Pirates, Shark
6270	Forbidden Island (Pirate's Nest)	2 Pirates, Captain, 1 Imperial Soldier, Monkey, Parrot, Shark
6285	Black Seas Barracuda (Pirate Ship "Dark Shark")	6 Pirates, Female Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Parrot	Re-released 2002

• 1990

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
6260	Shipwreck Island (Pirate's Treasure Island)	2 Pirates, Monkey, Parrot

• 1991

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
1481	Pirates Desert Island	Pirate
6234	Renegade's Raft (Pirate Castaway)	Pirate, Shark
6273	Rock Island Refuge	3 Pirates, Female Pirate, Captain, 2 Imperial Soldiers

• 1992

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
1464	Pirate Lookout	Pirate
1492	Battle Cove	Pirate, Shark
1696	Pirate Lookout	Pirate
1889	Pirates Treasure Hold	Pirate, Monkey
6258	Smuggler's Shanty (Pirate's Palm Hideout)	2 Pirates, 1 Imperial Guard, Shark
6261	Raft Raiders (Ironhook's Escape Craft)	2 Pirates, Captain, Shark

• 1993

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
1970	Pirates Gun Cart	2 Pirates
6237	Pirates' Plunder (Treasure Hunt)	Pirate, Imperial Guard, Parrot
6252	Sea Mates	Pirate, Captain, 2 Imperial Guards, Monkey, Parrot
6268	Renegade Runner (Sea Vulture)	3 Pirates, Captain
6286	Skull's Eye Schooner (The Black Skull)	7 Pirates, Female Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, Shark

• 1994

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
1713	Shipwrecked Pirate	Pirate
1733	Shipwrecked Pirate	Pirate
1871	Pirates Cannon	Pirate
1873	Pirates Treasure	Pirate

• 1995

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
1788	Treasure Chest	Pirate, Captain, 2 Islanders, Crocodile
6254	Rocky Reef	2 Pirates, Skeleton, Parrot
6279	Skull Island	3 Pirates, Captain, 2 Imperial Guards, Monkey, Parrot

• 1996

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
1747	Treasure Surprise	Pirate
1802	Tidy Treasure	Pirate
6232	Skeleton Crew	Pirate, Skeleton
6248	Volcano Island	Pirate, Skeleton
6289	Red Beard Runner	6 Pirates, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, Shark	Re-released 2001
6296	Shipwreck Island	2 Pirates, Armada Soldier, Skeleton, Crocodile

• 1997

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
6249	Pirates Ambush	2 Pirates, Armada Soldier, Crocodile
6204	Buccaneers	Pirate, Captain, 2 Armada Soldiers, Skeleton
6250	Cross Bone Clipper	Pirate, Female Pirate, Captain
6281	Pirates Perilous Pitfall	3 Pirates, 2 Armada Soldiers, Skeleton, Parrot, Crocodile

• 2001-2002

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
6290	Red Beard Runner	6 Pirates, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, Shark	Re-release of 6289
10040	Black Seas Barracuda	6 Pirates, Female Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Parrot	Re-release of 6285

Pirates (2009-2010)

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
6239	Cannon Battle	Pirate, Soldier
6240	Kracken Attackin'	2 Pirates, Parrot, Octopus
6241	Loot Island	Pirate, Castaway, Soldier, Crocodile
6242	Soldiers' Fort	3 Soldiers, Admiral, Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Crocodile
6243	Brickbeard’s Bounty	3 Pirates, Captain, 2 Soldiers, Admiral's Daughter, Mermaid, Monkey, Parrot, Shark
6253	Shipwreck Hideout	Pirate, Female Pirate, Captain, 2 Soldiers, Skeleton, Parrot	Limited Edition
8396	Soldier's Arsenal	Soldier
8397	Pirate Survival	Pirate
10210	Imperial Flagship	Admiral, Captain, 4 Soldiers, Admiral's Daughter, Pirate, Cook, Saw Shark, Rat	Largest ship ever released by Lego

Imperial Soldiers (1989-1993)

Reference	Name	Released	Minifigures	Notes
6245	Harbor Sentry (Governor Broadside's Boat)	1990	Imperial Soldier
6259	Broadside's Brig (Governor Broadsides Prison)	1991	2 Imperial Soldiers, Pirate, Parrot
6265	Sabre Island (Governors Bastion)	1990	3 Imperial Soldiers
6267	Lagoon Lock-Up (Soldiers Tavern)	1991	3 Imperial Soldiers, Pirate, Captain, Parrot
6274	Caribbean Clipper (Governor's Ship "Sea Hawk")	1989	3 Imperial Soldiers, Admiral
6276	Eldorado Fortress (Governor's Fort Sabre)	1989	5 Imperial Soldiers, Admiral, Pirate, Captain

Imperial Guards (1992-1995)

Reference	Name	Released	Minifigures	Notes
1795	Imperial Cannon	1994	Imperial Guard
1872	Soldiers Forge	1994	2 Imperial Guards
6247	Bounty Boat (Admirals Launch)	1992	2 Imperial Guards, Pirate
6263	Imperial Outpost (Bastion)	1995	2 Imperial Guards, Admiral, Pirate
6266	Cannon Cove (The Black Reef Bastion)	1993	2 Imperial Guards, Pirate
6271	Imperial Flagship (HMS Sea Lion)	1992	2 Imperial Guards, Admiral, Pirate
6277	Imperial Trading Post (Port Royal)	1992	3 Imperial Guards, Admiral, 5 Pirates

Imperial Armada (1996-1997, 2001)

Reference	Name	Released	Minifigures	Notes
6244	Armada Sentry (Water Outpost)	1996	Armada Soldier
6280	Armada Flagship (Armada Galleon)	1996	2 Armada Soldiers, Admiral	Re-released 2001
6291	Spaniard Ship (Armada Galleon)	2001	2 Armada Soldiers, Admiral	Re-release of 6280

Islanders (1994, 2001)

Reference	Name	Minifigures	Notes
6236	King Kahuka (Indigo Chief's Throne)	Chief
6246	Crocodile Cage (Crocodile Prison)	Islander, Pirate, Parrot, Crocodile
6256	Islander Catamaran (Indigo Chief's Canoe)	Chief, Female Islander, Crocodile
6262	King Kahuka's Throne (Indigo Throne Cave)	Chief, 2 Islanders, 2 Pirates, Crocodile
6264	Forbidden Cove (Indigo Treasure Cave)	2 Islanders, Pirate, Captain, Parrot, Crocodile
6278	Enchanted Island (Indigo Island)	3 Islanders, Female Islander, Chief, Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, Crocodile	Re-released 2001
6292	Enchanted Island	3 Islanders, Female Islander, Chief, Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, Crocodile	Re-release of 6278

4+ Pirates

• 7070-Catapult Raft
• 7071-Treasure Island
• 7072-Captain Kragg's Ship
• 7073-Pirate Dock
• 7074-Skull Island
• 7075-Captain Redbeard's Pirate Ship
• 7080-Scurvy Dog and Crocodile
• 7081-Harry Hardtack and Monkey
• 7082-Cannonball Jimmy and Shark
• 7289-Captain Redbeard in Box (Promotional Set)
• 7290-Captain Kragg in Barrel (Promotional Set)

Official merchandise

Lego Group

Lego Group

The LEGO Group is a family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, and best known for the manufacture of Lego-brand toys.The company was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen...

 has also released a variety of official Pirate Lego merchandise ranging from clothing to stick-on tattoos to board games.

PIRATES

Captain Roger / Captain Redbeard
Captain Roger, also known as Captain Redbeard, is a fictional character created by the Lego Company for the Pirates theme of the Lego System. The Pirate theme, along with the captain, was first introduced in 1989. As the theme's chief antagonist, the leader of the pirates fights continuously against Governor Broadside’s soldiers. Captain Roger/Redbeard is in command of two pirate ships: the Black Sea Barracuda and the Skull’s Eye Schooner. During the years of fighting, he suffered three major injuries, which caused him to wear an eye patch over his left eye, an iron hook where his left hand used to be and a wooden right leg. Additional trademarks of the captain are the skull and crossed bones on his bicorne, his distinctive gold-trimmed black frock coat and green scarf, and a colorful tropical parrot. Together with his friend Will and his first mate Rummy, Captain Roger/Redbeard encounters countless adventures of swash-buckling, sailing, treasure hunting and piracy.

In later sets, the appearance of Captain Roger/Redbeard was redesigned to look more intimidating, with him now wearing a shredded red shirt and sporting a massive knife slung through his belt. This character is identified as "Captain Ironhook" on the Classic Pirates website, making him a character separate from Captain Roger/Redbeard.

Despite the introduction of Captain Brickbeard in Lego's newest 2009 lineup of pirate-themed sets, many people still feel that the original pirate commander, Captain Roger/Redbeard, is unquestionably THE Lego pirate captain. The fan website www.classic-pirates.com calls Captin Redbeard "the true king of the Lego Pirates line", and "he will always remain the main icon of the Lego Pirates line". Others feel that Brickbeard is just a new release of Roger/Redbeard, due to the close resemblance between the two figures.

• Captain Brickbeard

Captain Brickbeard is a fictional character created by the Lego Company for their 2009-line of Pirates sets; he is an updated version of the Roger/Redbeard character.

Of all the Lego Pirate Captains, none of them are female. Only Lego fans have made female pirate captains.

• Rummy

Identified as Captain Roger's/Redbeard's first mate.

• Governor Broadside

Governor Broadside is Captain Roger's/Redbeard's chief enemy and (mostly) chief victim as well, as Redbeard seems to always get the better of him. In the 2009 Pirates Line, Broadside is now Capt. Brickbeard's chief enemy and chief victim.

• Lieutenant de Martinet

Lt. de Martinet is identified on the website Classic Pirates as Governor Broadside's second-in-command.

• Admiral Woodhouse

Adm. Woodhouse is identified as the leader of the red-coated Imperial Guards.

• King Kahuka

Kahuka is the leader of the Islanders, a Polynesian-based sub-theme of the Pirates theme and he cannot be mistaken for anyone else that Lego has ever conjured up. He wears a massive, carved red face mask topped with white featers, a face painted white and blue, a necklace made out of teeth and a large round medallion, a red sash around his waist (which was probably a present given to him by a passing ship's captain) and a grass skirt. His center of power is located on "Enchanted Island", a fictitious island invented by Lego.

Ladybird Books series

An official series of children's books based on the Pirate Lego theme was published by Ladybird Books

Ladybird Books

Ladybird Books is a London-based publishing company, trading as a stand-alone imprint within the Penguin Group of companies. The Ladybird imprint publishes mass-market children's books.-History:...

 in 1990.

Titles

1. Will and the Gold Chase
2. Captain Roger's Birthday
3. Adventure on Shark Island
4. The Royal Visit

The stories revolved around the misadventures of the crew of Dark Shark and their run-ins with Broadside's Imperial Guards. The stories developed a stronger characterisation for key characters and expanded the Pirate Lego universe. They also introduced a character known as Captain Foul who commanded the ship “The Barracuda”, however the captain did not appear in any of the official Pirate Lego sets.

Like the comic Governor Broadside was given a family which included his Aunt Prudence and niece Camilla. The entire crew of the Dark Shark (6285/10050 Blacks Seas Barracuda) were given names, including the monkey and the parrot.

A short biographical description and illustrated portrait of each of the Dark Shark’s characters was presented on the first and second pages of each book.

Characters

Broadside's Family

• Aunt Prudence
• Camilla
• Governor Broadside

Dark Shark Crew

• Anne
• Bo'Sun Will
• Captain Roger (known as Captain Redbeard in Northern America)
• Flashfork
• First Mate Rummy
• Jimbo
• Popsy (the parrot)
• Spinoza (the monkey)

On the final two pages of each book is a map of the fictional archipelago named “The Treasure Islands” in which the Ladybird Pirate Lego universe is set.

Islands

• Black Reef Island
• Emerald Island
• Hook Nose Island
• Island of Fogs
• Island of Ruins
• Island of Skulls
• John Silver Island
• Pirate Hat Island
• Pirate’s Nest
• Sabatina
• Shark Island
• Skeleton Island

1993 World Lego Expo – Pirates Ahoy

For its 1993 World Expo, the Lego Group chose “Pirates Ahoy” as the theme. The exhibition contained various exhibits mostly depicting three dimensional sculptures of pirates made entirely from Lego, although the Pirate Galleon

Galleon

A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...

containing 13,280 pieces was built at System minifigure scale and was crewed by standard Pirate Lego minifigures.

Souvenir guide

A souvenir guide accompanied the exhibition and its main feature was a story which loosely tied the exhibits together in a first person narrative. The souvenir guide also provided information about each exhibit including its name, how many pieces it contained and the number of hours it took to construct.

The top-left corner of odd pages contained information and an illustrated portrait of infamous pirates from history including Blackbeard and Bartholomew Roberts. While top-right hand cornered of the even pages included a picture of that pirate’s flag.

Exhibits

Name	No. of Bricks	Building Time
Pirate Galleon	13,280	101 hours
Galley	103,688	955 hours
Captain’s Cabin	31,773	876 Hours
L’ollonois	46,075	298 hours
Pirate Musicians	29,274	1,432 hours
Pirate Training Camp	103,436	613 hours
Paradise Canyon	22,322	1,115 hours
Treasure Cave	31,445	921 hours
Anne Bonny	38,180	254 hours
Henry Morgan	49,875	330 hours
Black Beard	Unspecified	Unspecified

External links

• Official 2009 Lego site
• Classic-Pirates.com LEGO Pirate forum and information resource.
• Fibblesnork's Lego Guide: Pirates
• Brickset: List of all Lego Pirate sets
• Lugnet: List of all Lego Pirate sets