Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End features nine iconic Pirate Lords, and a chunk of them are inspired by quintessential historical pirates. The franchise's third installment sees each Pirate Lord unite to form the fourth Brethren Court to confront the growing threat of Cutler Beckett and rescue Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones' Locker. The Brethren Court featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End is based on the Brethren of the Coast, a real-life pirate confederation and a further example of how the franchise blends fact with fiction and mythology.

During Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, it is explained that the Brethren Court were the governing body of pirates, only usually convening to eradicate organized threats to their seas. For example, previous Brethren Courts united together to bind Calypso and create the Pirate Code. Similarly, the nine Pirate Lords that make up the Brethren Court are also inspired by historical counterparts. While the term Pirate Lords is used solely for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, there were a variety of fierce pirates throughout history who seemingly ruled the seas. Here are the nine Pirate Lords and the pirates on which they are based in POTC 3.

Related: The Real-Life Pirate That Jack Sparrow Was Based On

Ammand - Pirate Lord of the Black Sea

Ammand-the-Corsair-Pirates-of-the-Caribbean

Prior to becoming a member of the Brethren Court in Pirates of the Caribbean, Ammand led the Barbary Corsairs, a loose affiliation of Muslim pirates who robbed the ships of Christian infidels. This led to Ammand becoming a wanted man for his crimes against the church, alongside his piracy along the Barbary Coast. In Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, he is shown to settle matters through violence rather than diplomacy, even dueling Jack Sparrow to get out of having to attend the Brethren Courts meeting.

It's believed that Ammand is loosely based on Oruc Reiss and his brother, Hayreddin Barbarossa. This is due to Ammand having fictional ties to the Ottoman Empire, who he combined his forces with to take control of the region from Morocco to Turkey. Oruc and Hayreddin became known as the famous Barbarossa brothers and spent their days expanding Ottoman power and countering the threats of the Knights of St John and Spanish and Portuguese ships.

Hector Barbossa - Pirate Lord of the Caspian Sea

Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean 5 Dead Men Tell No Tales

Hector Barbossa is one of the most iconic and memorable characters in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. First appearing as an antagonist in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Barbossa later becomes a close ally of Jack Sparrow despite their previous rivalry. Out of the nine Pirate Lords, he is one of the most vocal and adamant about resolving the issues they face by any means necessary. However, he is one of the few not directly based on another privateer, though his name is clearly in reference to the Barbarossa brothers.

Chevalle - Pirate Lord of the Mediterranean Sea

Pirate Lord Chevalle in POTC: At Worlds End
Chevalle in Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End

Unlike the other nine Pirate Lords, Chevalle prides himself on his physical appearance, wardrobe, and gentlemanly nature. Hailing from Marseilles, the trade capital of France, Chevalle was once a member of the French aristocracy and a Pirate Lord. Chevalle agrees to join the Brethren Court after he is rescued from hanging by Jack Sparrow and becomes one of the group's most tactical thinkers.

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There are various famous privateers that Chevalle could be based on. One of the more popular options is Stede Bonnet, known as the 'gentleman pirate' because he came from wealth before turning to crime, similar to Chevalle. Additionally, it's also possible other rags-to-riches French Buccaneers, such as the violent Daniel Montbars or Olivier Levasseur, inspired Chevalle's character.

Ching - Pirate Lord of the Pacific Ocean

Mistress-Ching-Pirates-of-the-Caribbean

In Pirates of the Caribbean, Ching is regarded as one of the most fearsome Pirate Lords of her time due to her outspoken nature and merciless approach to piracy. Ching was also known to have traveled five of the seven seas and maintained great power and respect until her retirement. In Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, Ching supports Elizabeth Swann becoming Pirate King and stands by a lot of her decisions, even when Elizabeth declares war.

While other Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court are more loosely inspired by historical pirates, Ching is more directly based upon the victorious pirate queen, Ching Shih. Ching Shih was also known as Zheng Yi Sao and was active in the South China Sea from 1801 to 1810. She first came into power after her husband, a pirate named Zheng Yi, passed away, and she took over his pirate confederation. Similarly to the film, Ching Shih's ships came into conflict with the East India Company.

Jocard - Pirate Lord of the Atlantic Ocean

Gentleman Jocard in Pirates of the Caribbean

Jocard is one of the few pirates within the Pirates of the Caribbean who has a rich backstory despite only appearing a handful of times. Jocard was originally known as Gombo, a chef who was sold into slavery. Eventually, Jocard led a slave revolt, and upon fleeing, he met Jack Sparrow, who offered him a place on the Black Pearl. Jocard was eventually discovered by the enslaved people he helped to free and became their new pirate captain, building a notorious reputation for himself.

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Due to his backstory, it's possible that Jocard is based on Caesar, who was enslaved and eventually became the leader of a small fleet of pirates. Caesar operated during the Golden Age of Piracy and even served on Blackbeard's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge. However, his backstory is subject to a lot of myths, which makes it harder to examine him historically though his slave trade origins and brute strength and intelligence are widely agreed upon.

Jack Sparrow - Pirate Lord of the Caribbean Sea

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

Jack Sparrow is undoubtedly the most famous part of the entire Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Known for his sharp and quick nature, always ten steps ahead of his foes, he quickly became one of the most beloved fictional characters of all time. Jack Sparrow is considered the greatest of the Pirate Lords, and despite his trickster nature, he was the Brethren Courts' most valuable member, helping to lead them to victory.

Jack has been stated to be based on John Ward, who is one of the most legendary pirates to come out of the Golden Age of Piracy. Like Jack Sparrow, John Ward was also incredibly eccentric and able to get himself out of a variety of messes that he found himself in. Jack is also uncannily similar to Calico Jack, the unlucky pirate who is best known for having two female crew mates, Mary Read, who was initially disguised as a man, and his lover, Anne Bonny.

Sumbhajee Angria - Pirate Lord of the Indian Ocean

Sumbhajee Angria in POTC: At Worlds End

Out of all the nine Pirate Lords, Sumbhajee Angria is by far the wisest. Despite being a man of few words, he resolved that the Brethren Court would go to war with the East India Trading Company and take down Cutler Beckett once and for all. Compared to the other Pirate Lords, Sumbhajee Angria has a far more regal appearance and is much more reserved in nature despite being feared by many.

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It's widely agreed upon that Sumbhajee Angria is inspired by the great Marathan admiral Kanhoji Angre. Kanhoji primarily became known for his attacks and eventual capture of many European merchant ships to collect 'jakat', which was known to many locals as taxes. He continued to do this until the end of his life, which led him to be regarded as one of the most skilled Indian Grand Admirals of all time.

Elizabeth Swann - Pirate Lord of the South China Sea (later Pirate King)

Elizabeth looking confused while on a jungle in Pirates of the Caribbean 2

Elizabeth Swann is another of Pirates of the Caribbean's most iconic characters and was one of the main protagonists in the first three films of the franchise. Originally coming from a wealthy, respected background, young Elizabeth grows into one of the most outspoken and skilled sword-wielders out of the Pirate Lords. Elizabeth eventually becomes voted in as Pirate King, leading the Brethren Court into war. While her character isn't directly linked to any existing pirate, many moments in her story are inspired by Mary Read and even Anne Bonny to some extent.

Eduardo Villanueva - Pirate Lord of the Adriatic Sea

Eduardo Villanueva from Pirates of the Caribbean

As one of the oldest of the Pirate Lords and Brethren Court, Eduardo Villanueva is regarded as a veteran by his peers and doesn't hold any of the younger pirates in high regard. Eduardo Villanueva aided the Brethren Court a handful of times during his time as a Pirate Lord and became quickly known for his short temper and aggression. The East India Trading Company primarily wanted him for pilfering gold and piracy.

Like Chevalle, there are various Spanish pirates on which the Pirate Lord, Eduardo Villanueva could be based. However, it is more likely that he was inspired by Don Benito or even Amaro Pargo, a raider who was one of the most iconic figures during the Golden Age of Piracy. It's also worth noting that his last name is a reference to Admiral Don Miguel Augustin de Villanueva, who was captured by the British, another way in which Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End paid homage to legendary pirates.

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