Brethren Court

Within the fictional universe of Pirates of the Caribbean, the Brethren Court, or simply the Brethren, is a fictional pirate governing body set as the main protagonist force behind the trilogy against its antagonist counterpart, the East India Trading Co. The Court made its only appearance in At World's End. In the film, Cutler Beckett makes a genocidal threat against piracy, alarming the pirate world. It ultimately results in an emergency assembly of the Fourth Brethren Court as a final stand for the existence of piracy.

From what is known in the third installment, the Court was first convened some ages prior to the events of the film by the Court's first pirate lords, who imprisoned the heathen goddess Calypso so that men could claim her waters for themselves. The purpose of the Court is to resolve issues that threaten the practice of piracy in its entirety. Before making final decisions however, the lords must consult the Pirata Codex, to make sure that their actions follow the "guidelines" of the code. The only pirate among them who may declare war is the pirate king, who is elected by the pirate lords by popular vote.

Background
The First Brethren Court was convened at Shipwreck Cove, an impenetrable pirate fortress. The purpose for the meeting is revealed throughout At World's End as being to imprison the heathen goddess, Calypso. The Brethren figured that with Calypso taken from her powers over the seas, they would be able to "tame the seas" for themselves. Davy Jones, out of rage, thus came forth in this meeting to teach the lords how to imprison her within Tia Dalma. Jones, prior to the meeting, was heartbroken by Calypso, who was his love. To bind Calypso, the Brethren planned on using nine pieces of eight, but when they first met, they were completely impoverished with no common currency, and so they used "pieces of junk". These pieces of junk however kept their name as pieces of eight. Joshamee Gibbs explains in At World's End that the lords believed this sounded more piratical than, "the nine pieces of whatever we happened to have in our pockets at the time".

After binding Calypso, the seas came under pirate exploitation. The pirate lords were established as means of controlling piracy in their respected territories. The First Court also produced the first pirate king, though after his death, there came none else. The age of when the First Court met seems to be centuries before the events of the films, when piracy existed even then and when the early pagan peoples of Earth believed in gods and goddess. What caused the Second Brethren Court to convene is unknown, although it was when the Pirata Codex was set forth by Morgan and Bartholomew and is know as the "dawn of piracy". Nothing is known about the Third Brethren Court, except that it ended badly.

Appearances
The Brethren Court makes no appearance in the first two films of the trilogy. Its only appearance is in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. However, in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, it is loosely referenced by frequent characters.

The Curse of the Black Pearl
In the film, Elizabeth Swann first mentions the Code when she calls for her right to evoke parley. She clarifies that the Code was brought forth by Morgan and Bartholomew and demands to see Hector Barbossa whose crew was currently plundering the fictional version of Port Royal. When he meets her, he refuses to let her go on land again after she boarded the Black Pearl. She exclaims that he must keep to the Code, but Barbossa interrupts by saying that the Code is "more like guidelines than actual rules." This is how most of the Brethren feel. The right to parley is often evoked by other pirates in the films as a running gag.

At World's End
The Fourth Brethren Court makes its appearance in At World's End. The film begins during a mass execution by hanging of persons accused of piracy or associating with persons accused of piracy. Lord Cutler Beckett presides over the executions on behalf of the East India Trading Company These hangings occur as the result of the state of emergency declared in this unknown port town suspending all rights to habeas corpus, trial by jury and other rights of the then modern justice system. The victims of these hangings begin to sing "Hoist the Colours" to alert the Brethren Court of the executions. Lord Beckett reveals that this was the goal of the executions as he wished to force the Brethren Court to convene so he could destroy it.

In the meantime, Hector Barbossa and Elizabeth Swann meet with pirate lord Sao Feng to inform him that the song has been called. They then engage in a battle with the East India Trading Co.'s Royal Navy men who arrived to stamp out piracy in Singapore. During the time, Beckett ponders about the nine pieces of eight on board his ship-of-the-line, Endeavour, as he comes to feel that their may be something at the Brethren's disposal against him and Davy Jones and his Flying Dutchman. Beckett later betrays Sao Feng, who was promised the Black Pearl and who believed that Beckett had the greater advantage against the Brethren. Jack Sparrow makes a deal with Beckett that he will bring the pirates from Shipwreck Cove to Beckett if he frees him from Jones' judgment. Jack flees with the Pearl, much to Beckett's dismay, and Feng flees with Elizabeth, believing her to be Calypso.

Later, the Flying Dutchman attacks the Empress and kills Sao Feng in the process. In his last words, he names Elizabeth as his successor as the Lord of the South China Sea and captain of his ship. He then asks her, for forgiveness, and dies. When the Pearl arrives at Shipwreck Cove for the Court, Barbossa reminds Tia Dalma that she returned him from death and helped retrieve Jack so for him to have all the pieces of eight to free her from her human bonds. It is later, after the Pearl enters the fortress, that the Fourth Brethren Court is finally convened by Barbossa. He collects the "pieces of eight" and tells Ragetti to hide them. Elizabeth then enters the scene, proclaiming her new status a requesting that they fight, causing an uproar. Barbossa then proceeds to say that it was a great error to have imprisoned Calypso, for all this did was "open the door to Beckett and his ilk". Jack comes out and stands with Elizabeth to fight the Company, and when she is elected pirate king (thanks to Jack Sparrow's tie-breaking vote), war is declared.

After the Court, the pirates come out to face the East India Trading Company which arrives with a massive armada. Elizabeth, Barbossa and Jack approach Beckett, Will and Jones in parley. Beckett reveals Sparrow as the "architect" of the plan to bring the pirates out and is traded for Will by Elizabeth. After acquiring Jack's "piece of eight", Barbossa joins the other pieces and Ragetti releases Calypso, believing she will aid them against the Company. She "curse" them in her "native tongue", transforms into crabs and disappears. Elizabeth positions herself high over the crowd of pirates and gives an emotional speech, motivating them to make their final stand. They "hoist the colours" and advance to war. The Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman then proceed as flagships for their sides and enter into the monstrous maelstrom made by Calypso. Calypso decided to remain neutral in the war, aiding not the Brethren nor the Company. After the epic battle, Will has "killed" Jones and taken his place, but the Dutchman sinks, leaving only the Pearl afloat. Jack orders that they will continue to fight, despite the Company's massive armada in front. Beckett, seeing the Pearl on its own, orders to advance the Endeavour to destroy the ship. It is now that the Dutchman arises, joins forces with the Pearl, and both surround the Endeavour. They fire their cannons away non-stop, splintering the ship around Beckett. They then penetrate the Endeavour's powder magazine, and the ship is blasted apart in the resulting explosion. Beckett's body is then seen falling onto the burnt flag of the Company, symbolism of its defeat. The pirates then rejoice as the Royal Navy armada retreats.

Structure
The Brethren is the fictional pirates governing body representing piracy and the common pirate at seas. Thus, it exists to maintain the safety and existence of the state of piracy. This is why the Courts are convened; to solve the issues at hand. The structure of the pirate government is mostly unorganized and chaotic, which is why the Pirata Codex was created by Morgan and Bartholomew to help the Court resolve matters without slaughter. The Pirata Codex is the Brethren's "law book" containing their "guidelines". If disobeyed or cursed upon, severe punishment follows, though many disregard it. This seemingly proves the government's lack of enforcing the word of the Codex throughout the pirates.

Headquarters for the Brethren Court lie on Shipwreck Island, at the heart of Shipwreck Cove, within Shipwreck City. Jack Sparrow confides that pirates are an unimaginative lot when it comes to naming things. The court meets in a chamber created from the hull of a wrecked ship, and surrounded by the ship's curved spars is the historic table were the Court has met since its first assembly. Shipwreck Cove is a well-supplied fortress, said by Sparrow to be a stronghold "nigh impregnable, able to withstand blockade for years." The cove firmly secures the Brethren's structure and provides protection against enemy forces.

The main enemy of the Brethren comes to be the East India Trading Company because the Brethren is the central point of piracy, Beckett wishes to destroy it. He figures that its defeat would render the worldwide pirate force weak and leaderless.

Leadership
The Pirate King of the Brethren Court is elected by the pirate lords through popular vote during a conclave. Requirements to become a candidate for the Brethren include being captain of a ship, swearing to the Pirata Codex, and having killed a man. The first king was elected in the First Brethren Court. Since then, there had been no other king until the events throughout At World's End. The reason behind this is that every pirate lord usually votes for himself. Furthermore, war may only be declared by the king and none else as stated in the Pirata Codex. Nothing further is known about the king though it has been suggested that the kings live at Shipwreck Cove.

The Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court who fall under the influence of the king. They are nine pirate captains who run a systemic governance over their respective territories. Their titles are solely based on the seas of which the govern. The lords are the fiercest of the pirates around and the most strong to survive in the harsh world of piracy. It is to them that the regular pirates look to. When a pirate lord feels his/her time of retirement has come, he passes on his or her piece of eight to a captain worthy of lordship status. The next pirate lord then comes to govern their predecessor's realm.

Assembly
The Court is never convened for simply matters in piracy, only for matters of extreme importance. Only four instances have required the union of the Court. Many pirates find sailing to Shipwreck Cove an annoyance (the primary example being Sao Feng), though when the Brethren is called upon, all pirate lords must obey the call. Thus, to be alerted of an uprising threat to piracy, the Brethren set up a system of notification. The following is the process to the assembly of a Court.


 * 1) Threat to piracy: A major threat is the main purpose for which the Court may be assembled. This threat must be a threat to piracy in its entirety, one which may affect the fates of all pirates.
 * 2) Singing "Hoist the Colours": Once seeing that there is a crisis in piracy, "Hoist the Colours" is sung by pirates to alert the pirate lords worldwide of the arising issue. It seems, however, that a pirate lord must "send forth" the song for it to be in full effect, as said in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Complete Visual Guide. Pirate lords are thus notified to turn their sails home to Shipwreck Cove, when they hear the ringing of their piece of eight.
 * 3) Meeting at Shipwreck Cove: Once the lords have arrived at Shipwreck Cove, the lord of who summoned the Court, must convene it.

Once the Court is convened, there are often uproars, disagreements and resulting fights within the lords and their men. It can be pointed out that the Court used to get into more awful disputes over matters then even the current Court, often resorting to man-slaughter. The Complete Visual Guide even states that the conference table has "witnessed much pirate business and bloodshed." It is because of this that the Pirata Codex was brought forth by Morgan and Bartholomew. The collection of "guidelines" is almost sacred in a way that even suggesting to ignore it or speaking against it gets men shot by its keeper.

The Code
The Code was devised by the pirates and Morgan and Bartholomew during the second court. It seems to be well known even in the non-pirating society. The codex is a large book that is the size of a tombstone. It contains the tenets of the code, recipes for rum, treasure maps, locations of recommended brothels, and how to attack a ship properly.

All tenets revealed within The Pirates' Code Guidelines
Although the small book by Joshamee Gibbs does reveal many tenets of the code, it does not reveal them all. However, according to Gibbs, it did reveal the most important ones. The book also contained survival methods and tips for pirate success. I. All adherents of the Code pledge to be bound together as a brotherhood of pirates, sharing alike in one's fortunes and troubles. Every member shall have an equal vote in the affairs of the moment and equal share of the provisions. Every pirate shall obey the Code. Anyone who fails shall be marooned on a desert island, and left ashore with a loaf of bread or hardtack, a bottle of water (if any exists), and a pistol with one load.

II. The captain of a ship is to be elected by a majority vote of its crew. If any time a crew, with sufficient evidence, finds their captain to be lacking in ability or offensive in nature, a new captain may be freely elected amongst the ship's members. The captain shall be made aware of the situation and will graciously step aside, assuming another position on the crew. Failure to follow this procedure will be deemed mutiny.

III. Any pirate who has suffered an injury from pillaging, plundering, hijacking, swashbuckling, or other pirate duties shall receive compensation for the wound from common stock.

Compensation shall be as follows, in pieces of eight:


 * Loss of right arm: 800
 * Loss of left arm: 750


 * Loss of right leg: 500


 * Loss of left leg: 400


 * Fight wound: 100


 * Loss of eye: 200 (although Ragetti got 300. )


 * Loss of ear: 30 Ducats


 * Loss of finger: 100
 * Trigger finger: 200
 * Pinky finger: Life be cruel, mate

In the event of the loss of a limb, the surgeon or carpenter may be able to restore lost appendages with what is best suited. Spare planks or other miscellaneous items found onboard may be rigged as a makeshift prosthetic. If injury is dehabilitating to the point of preventing a pirate from performing his duties as an able-bodied seaman, the quartermaster will provide a new assignment. Replacement limbs lost on duty should be compensated at no less than half-cost of natural limbs. IV.Every member shall have an equal share of fresh provisions, however they may be acquired, and may take pleasure in such provisions at will, except in times of scarcity. Until said scarcity is voted over, it is necessary for the common good of the crew to adhere to rations. Anyone who takes more than his equal share of provisions at any time shall be marooned. Any Pirate susceptible of eating any foodstuff rendered pernicious shall see the ship surgeon post haste.

V. Each man shall keep his weapon, whether it be a cutlass, sword, pistol, or other piece, clean at all times and ready for action.

VI.If a pirate is the first to locate a prize and should find among this plunder a weapon that is better than his own, he may take it as his own. The rest of the items will be chosen in turn with the captain first, master second, and so forth in seniority. Ship's musicians may lay claim to nay instruments found among the spoils.

VII.No pirate shall strike another while onboard the ship. In the event of such an occurrence, the quarrel shall be resolved on the shore by a pistol, sword, or in another agreed upon manner as deemed by the captain. Limbs or other body parts lost in duel are not to be compensated as those lost in battle.

VIII.No man shall game for money in any form, whether it be with cards, dice, crab claws, barnacles, or any other means.

IX.Lights and candles must be suffed out of eight o'clock. If any man desires to drink after such time, he shall do so on the open deck without lights.

X.No man shall smoke tobacco in the hold without cap to his pipe ot hold a candle without lantern shield. If he is discovered doing so, he shall receive such punishment as the captain and company see fit. XI.All musicians shall have their only day of rest on the Sabbath. Any other day, musical pirates shall be granted leisure time only by favour of the captain or quartermaster. XII.Every member of the crew shall be allowed a shift of clothes. These may be obtained by plundering, stealing, or borrowing. XIII.If a pirate is captured by an enemy ship, he has the right to declare parlay, or temporary protection, until he may have an audience with the enemy captain. At this point, he cannot be harmed. Parlay is not considered concluded until said captives and captains have completed negotiations.

XIV.The captain shall have two shares of a prize. The quartermaster shall have one-and-three-quarter shares. The surgeon shall have one-and-one-half shares. The master gunner, carpenter, sailmaker, and boatswain shall receive one-and-one-quarter shares. All others shall have one share each. The company may vote to temporarily withhold the cook's share should his food kill a shipmate.

XV. He who falls behind shall be left behind.

XVI.Take what you can, give nothing back.

All tenets revealed in At World's End
Two tenets were revealed in the third movie, and five more tenets were revealed during a brief close-up on one of the pages of the Codex. However, the entirety of the tenets could not be seen do to the edge of the screen, Jack's finger, and poor handwriting. Some of the missing wording of the tenets were revealed during a similar close-up in one of the DVD's special features, although one was spoken b the narrator in different wording.

I. The pirate king is elected by popular vote among the pirate lords.

II. An act of war can only be declared by the pirate king.

III. To become a pirate lord, one must be captain of a ship, must sware by the Code, and must have killed a man.

Article six ~ Our Lords and our King

I. No man or otherwise shall be considered worthy of holding the... captained ??? for faire proffets. Slaine a manne and boldly, not cowardly so in the last... Obliged himself to obide by 3 Articles of Agreement.

II. A pirate lord shall hand down his piece of eight to his successor... of the nine seas.

III. The Brethren Court may not declare war upon an enemy or... on the election of the pirate king.

IV. It shall be the duty of the pirate king... our combined forces, or parley, or make peace within...

V. The king shall serve as the chief ???, and fleet captain... and warfare, which shall...

Fourth Brethren Court
The following are the main figures of the Fourth Brethren Court.

Elizabeth Swann


Elizabeth Swann is the Pirate Lord of the South China Sea and Pirate King of the Brethren Court. She inherited her pirate lordship from Sao Feng, who gave her his piece of eight (a necklace with jade carved into in a monkey's fist) after he was mortally wounded. Swann and her crew arrived late to the Court, at which time she announced Sao Feng's death and her new status. During the Court, she was elected king with a combination of her and Sparrow's votes. Elizabeth promptly declared war against the East India Trading Company. At the conclusion of At World's End, it was unclear if Elizabeth maintained her positions from the Brethren Court, as she had raised her and Will's son.

Her ship is the 15-cannon junk Empress which she inherited from Sao Feng carrying a Jolly Roger, based on that of Thomas Tew.

She is portrayed by Keira Knightley.

Ammand
Ammand the Corsair is the Turkish Pirate Lord of the Black Sea who flourished during the golden age of piracy among the Barbary Corsairs. During the Fourth Brethren Court, he was one of the lords who strongly disagreed in freeing Calypso from her human form. He revealed his piece of eight as a small, pewter brandy goblet used by outcast sisters in a Spanish monastery, out casted due to "certain doings" with the Corsair.

Like many Barbary pirates of the time, Ammand was once a prisoner and galley slave who advanced onto "the upper decks". Ammand was a pirate of the caliphs of North Africa who associated himself with the Ottoman Empire to control regions between Morocco and Turkey, and was also the founder of the highly organized privateers called "Corsairs". Ammand is wanted for piracy along the Barbary Coast and the Black Sea, as well as for numerous crimes against the Roman Catholic Church (including robbing other Christian trade ships, property theft, and assaulting a nun). The East India Trading Company has a bounty of 4400 guineas for his capture or death.

His ship is the 10-cannon galley Seref and is portrayed by Ghassan Massoud.

Hector Barbossa


Hector Barbossa is the Pirate Lord of the Caspian Sea, though as it is an endorheic body of water, he spends most of his time elsewhere. Barbossa's piece of eight is the false wooden eye that Ragetti uses on his right eye. He acted as emcee at the Fourth Brethren Court, and it was here that he proposed freeing Calypso. During a dispute, Barbossa quickly motioned to Ragetti to steal the bowl he was holding, which contained the pirate lords' pieces of eight. He planned on releasing Calypso without the Brethren's consent.

The character of Barbossa is widely wanted for stealing a bushel of apples; committing piracy in the Caribbean Sea and the Caspian Sea; stealing the Aztec gold of Hernándo Cortés and staging a mutiny (the Black Pearl). He is also wanted for animal cruelty, theft and kidnapping. A dead or alive bounty with a 10000 guinea reward is offered by the East India Trading Company. Barbossa's ship is the 32-cannon East Indiaman Black Pearl, which he disputably shares with Jack Sparrow.

Barbossa's Jolly Roger is based on the flag of real pirate John Rackham. He is portrayed by Geoffrey Rush.

Chevalle
Chevalle, the Penniless Frenchman, is the French Pirate Lord of the Mediterranean Sea. He hails from Marseille, the trading capital of France. At the Fourth Brethren Court, he presented his piece of eight as the Queen of Spades (which "trumps" all other pieces) and was against setting Calypso free. Awaiting with the pirate armada was his ship, the 16-cannon brig Fancy, displaying his Jolly Roger based on the flag of Stede Bonnet.

Chevalle is wanted for attempting to steal from the Swiss Bank, committing piracy in the Mediterranean Sea and French seas and robbing both weak and wealthy trade ships in Europe which traded between the Old World and the New World in French Caribbean Colonies such as Montserrat and Haiti for years. He also robbed the Spanish treasure fleets of Eduardo Villanueva as they returned from New World locales such as Mexico (which caused them to have a standing rivalry). He is also wanted for defacing and destroying French property on land and at sea. The East India Trading Company has a bounty of 6000 guineas for his capture or death.

He is portrayed by Marcel Iureş.

Ching


Mistress Ching is the Chinese Pirate Lord of the Pacific Ocean. While her appearance may have been frail, she was known for being very vicious and dangerous to her enemies. And though blind, she commanded a vast fleet of hundreds of junks along the Chinese Coast, gaining power after her husband's demise. During the pirate conclave, she proposed remaining within Shipwreck City rather than attack Beckett's armada, claiming that their fortress was impregnable. Her piece of eight is revealed as a small pair of pince-nez.

Because Shanghai was the maritime capital, Ching made a "comfortable living" there. She is wanted for piracy in the Pacific Ocean, running a bordello and gambling house, cutting off ears as souvenirs and smuggling trade goods between China and Japan (and possibly more, as she had traveled five of the Seven Seas). She is also wanted for victimizing opponents (usually through beheading), sacking and pillaging numerous villages and collaborating with secret societies to systematically extort local merchants. The East India Trading Company had a bounty of 3400 guineas for her capture or death. However, it was revealed in the At World's End DVD, that she was of the few Pirate lords to retire properly, finally settling down in Canton as a wealthy lady.

The character is portrayed by actress Takayo Fischer.

Jocard
Gentleman Jocard is the African Pirate Lord of the Atlantic Ocean. This is not his true name however, as he adopted it from his former slave master from New Orleans. Jocard became a pirate after leading a slave revolt against his owners and escaping into the open sea. At the Fourth Brethren Court, he was among the pirate lords deeply opposed to freeing Calypso from her mortal shell. He also presented his piece of eight as a tobacco cutter stolen from his former slave plantation. He took to using his piece to cut out tongues. Jocard's ship is seen as the 28-cannon frigate Ranger. The Jolly Roger which his ship bears is based on Bartholomew Roberts' second flag.

The "charming" presence of Jocard is said to hide his sharp and brilliant mind. Prior to the events of At World's End, he led his pirates from New Orleans Port to access both the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. He has also a tendency to dip into mystery and the supernatural. Jocard is wanted for leading a slave insurrection, committing crimes against the Crown, assuming a false identity (his former master), and for committing piracy in the British Isles and the Atlantic Ocean. The East India Trading Company has a bounty of 3600 guineas for his capture or death. The character is also known to be "the ladies' man".

Jocard is portrayed by Hakeem Kae-Kazim.

Jack Sparrow


Jack Sparrow is the Pirate Lord of the Caribbean Sea. During the Fourth Brethren Court, he voted for Elizabeth to be pirate king, knowing she would declare war, and thus, aid his own plan to capture Davy Jones' heart. His father, Teague, makes an appearance as the Keeper of the Pirata Codex. Sparrow's piece of eight is a small, ancient coin from Siam hanging from a bead strand attached to his head bandanna. It is the only actual coin among the lords' insignias. The coin was one of the first two items thieved by Sparrow, the second being used to purchase his hat. The beads were from a French-born noblewoman in Morocco of a dubious past. Sparrow is on poor terms with the other lords and mentioned to Barbossa that he owed them all money. When he had to pass through Ammand, Ching, Jocard and Villanueva, Ching's guards reached for their swords, while Jocard's nearly blockaded his passing entirely. He captains the flagship of the Court, the 32-cannon East Indiaman Black Pearl (which he shares disputably with Barbossa).

Among his numerous crimes against the Crown are smuggling, forgery, sacking Nassau Port (without firing a shot), sailing under false colours, freeing slaves, looting, poaching, brigandage, depravity, vandalism, impersonations (officers of the Royal Navy and other British and Spanish officers and a cleric of the Church of England), arson, kidnapping, piracy in the Caribbean Sea, perjury, theft and various others. The price on Sparrow's head is 10001 guineas, brought dead, which makes him the most wanted amongst the Court.

Sparrow is portrayed by Johnny Depp.

Sumbhajee
Sri Sumbhajee, a former Hindu Priest, is the fictional Pirate Lord of the Indian Ocean. In the Fourth Brethren Court, he presented his piece of eight as a snuff box made out of a small calf horn. He rarely spoke, and opted to whisper of signal to his aides, to have them repeat or answer on his behalf. However, when Elizabeth was named king and declared to fight, it was revealed that he spoke in a high-pitched, falsetto voice. He used his interpreters to hide his "naturally delicate and ladylike voice". His ship, the 8-cannon boutre Otter, is seen among other pirate ships during the battle between the pirates and the East India Trading Company.

The fictional Indian pirate is wanted for plundering numerous rich merchant ships (particularly ships of the East India Trading Company) to trade between India and the Arab World. He is as well wanted for levying taxes, committing piracy in the Indian Ocean, issuing his own currency, and for blockading Bombay Port and extracting ransom. The East India Trading Company has a bounty of 2800 guineas for his capture or death. Sumbhajee is also known to bring fear into others with unknown supernatural powers.

He is portrayed by Marshall Manesh.

Eduardo Villanueva


Eduardo Villanueva is the Spanish Pirate Lord of the Adriatic Sea. At the Court, Villanueva produced a broken bottleneck with a string tied to it as his piece of eight. His piece helped him win a "legendary and life-threatening" bar fight. Villanueva strongly agreed with Barbossa to free Calypso, unlike his other colleagues, proclaiming it is what Sao Feng would have done. Within the armada of the pirates was seen his 44-cannon galleon, Centurion. His Jolly Roger, based on the flag of Edward Teach, is seen as it is hoisted.

He was a privateer and crossed swords with the Barbary Corsairs. From the Canary Islands, Villanueva purloined European trade ships as well. He has traveled the Seven Seas and is known to make port in the Philippines and South America. He had a heated rivalry with character Chevalle, due to both firing on each others' ships in the New World, and he engaged in a fight with him in At World's End. Both of their countries shared this animosity, Spain and France. The character of Villanueva is wanted for gold pilfering, instigating and participating in a bar fight, and for committing piracy in Spanish seas and the Adriatic Sea. . The East India Trading Company had a bounty of 2000 guineas for his capture or death. Eduardo Villanueva, like his colleague Ching, retired within the aristocracy of Europe, after having such well connections with the government of Spain.

He was portrayed by Sergio Calderón.

Sao Feng
Sao Feng, meaning "Romantic Warrior", was the Pirate Lord of the South China Sea. He acquired his status from his own father. When his ship was attacked by the Flying Dutchman, Feng was mortally wounded. Before dying, he passed on his piece of eight to Elizabeth Swann, making her his successor. The piece of eight is made of silk from the silk road Marco Polo traveled upon, and jade. He as well asked for forgiveness to Swann, believing her to be Calypso. He had attempted to "take her fury" before the Dutchman attacked. When Elizabeth orders for the Hai Peng Jolly Roger to be hoisted, Feng's previous insignia comes into view, based on that of the real pirate, Edward Lowe.

The Chinese pirate was wanted for piracy in the South China Sea and Singaporean seas. He tortured innocent victims with water and steam and possessed illegal fireworks and firearms in his headquarters in a Singaporean bathhouse, from where he controlled the eastern passages. The East India Trading Company had a bounty of 8000 guineas for his capture or death, though he preferred not to fight them or the West in general. Sao Feng also possessed the navigational charts that led to World's End, the Fountain of Youth and other locations of nautical lore. He gave the map to Barbossa to aid him in his quest to World's End, who then kept it after Feng's death. However, at the end of At World's End, Sparrow cuts out the main section of the map to the Fountain of Youth and flees with it.

Though extremely powerful, he prefers to remain in his bathhouse and is known as a "sleeping giant". He risked his life for another only once, for Jack Sparrow, though Sparrow repaid him by "taking the love" of his aides, Lian and Park. He is furious at this and told Barbossa and Elizabeth that the only reason the he would want Sparrow alive again would be to kill him himself. Lian and Park are then killed when his headquarters are attacked by the Royal Navy.

Portrayed by Chow Yun Fat.

Davy Jones
Davy Jones showed the First Court how to imprison Calypso in human form by using the lords' pieces of eight. He kept this a secret from her and prevented her from solely aiding the East India Trading Company. He and his 42-cannon fluyt the Flying Dutchman are feared by pirates and sea merchants alike throughout the world.

Tartaglia
Tartaglia was a thief who used the Timekeeper (a magical watch that could manipulate time) as a false piece of eight at the Third Court to fool the other pirate lords of the time into believing he was one of them. His ultimate fate is unknown, but it is known that the Third Court ended badly.

Edward Teague
Edward Teague, is Jack Sparrow's father and the Keeper of the Pirata Codex. Said to be a more "stay at home in the castle" pirate, Teague wore a long black beard, as well as dreadlocks much like his son's, but with several small golden crosses braided into them. After presenting the Codex to the Fourth Brethren Court, Teague sat down opposite the pirate lords, seemingly bored, and started playing a period guitar. Jack Sparrow appears uncomfortable in his father's presence, as evidenced by his nervous behavior at the Fourth Brethren Court when Barbossa called on Teague to verify a rule in the Codex. However, Sparrow seemed more relaxed in Teague's presence than the other pirate lords. This is implied when Jack comments "so you lot will not be following the code" Teague looks up and everyone's sits down warily: also when he eagerly shooed Teague away from the Codex to check on a particular rule for himself and later asks his father for advice.

Despite Teague's gruff demeanor, he affectionately called his son "Jackie". Sparrow's fear was not entirely unfounded, however, as Teague fatally shot Sumbhajee's adviser for suggesting that the Court ignore the Code. After the Pearl defeated the East India Trading Company, Teague is seen one last time tossing his bicorne along with other pirate lords. Teague also appears to be the Jailhouse Dog's master, who (in Dead Man's Chest) was last seen on Pelegostos, being worshiped as a god and about to be devoured by the natives. When Pintel and Ragetti gave Teague bewildered looks at seeing the dog bringing him the keys to the Pirata Codex, he simply shrugged and explained, "Sea turtles, mate", a reference to Sparrow's tall tale about his escape from the island Barbossa once marooned him on.

Teague was Pirate Lord of Madagascar. He resigned his status to gain his current one. The lordship of Madagascar can be considered defunct.

Teague's ship is the galleon Misty Lady. Teague is portrayed by Keith Richards, who is cited as a partial inspiration for Johnny Depp's character.

Carriers of the Pirata Codex
The Carriers of the Pirata Codex are the two servants for the Keeper of the Pirata Codex. They hold a position that can only be left by mortal demise, their death. The two fictional elderly men make their first appearance in At World's End after Barbossa calls forth the Codex.

Other Jolly Rogers
Other Jolly Rogers were seen in the trailers, featurettes, affiliated writings and previews of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. They were not given respective characters in the film, or at least, they made no appearance.

Concept and creation
The Brethren Court is based on the historical Brethren of the Coast, from which producers of At World's End developed the version as seen in film.