The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise contains some of the most universally well-known pirates in all of fiction. Who could forget the likes of renegade buccaneer couple, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, or that dastardly villain-turned-hero, Captain Barbossa? Of course, there is also the series' main protagonist, the fan-favorite swashbuckling adventurer, Captain Jack Sparrow himself.
In the third movie of the franchise, many of the pirate characters audiences were introduced to in the original movies were established as "Pirate Lords" of the Brethren Court. According to the series' mythology, this Court was made up of the world's most notorious pirates, who would occasionally meet to combat threats against piracy itself, namely the combined might of Lord Cutler Beckett and Davy Jones in the third movie, At World's End. These pirates spanned the entire globe, terrorizing and dominating various seas world apart, living under the free, independent, honorable code of piracy against organized authoritarian rule everywhere.
Ammand - Pirate Lord Of The Black Sea
The scourge of the Barbary Coast, Ammand plagued the Black Sea and the surrounding area with his band of Corsairs. Known for his ruthlessness, he was wanted for his various crimes, namely piracy, but also for his offenses against the Christian church.
As captain of the Seref, Ammand was a particularly violent pirate, prone to settling matters through force rather than through negotiation. At the meeting of the Brethren Court, he remained mostly silent, though his notably hot temper flared when Barbossa suggested freeing Calypso, with Ammand even suggesting the pirates shoot him for even suggesting such an idea.
Sumbhajee Angria - Pirate Lord Of The Indian Ocean
The terror of the Arabian Sea, Sumbhajee Angria was the regal Pirate Lord of the entire Indian Ocean, known for his regal appearance and reserved, quiet behavior. Though Sumbhajee spoke few words, he was noted for his extreme insight and wisdom among his fellow Pirate Lords, hailed by Chevalle as possessing the keenest mind he had ever encountered.
Styling himself as Sri Sumbhajee (an honorable title that roughly translates to "mister"), Sumbhajee was a relatively quiet yet decisive voice on the Brethren Court. His resolution that the Court would go to war against the East India Trading Company galvanized his fellow pirates, leading to cheers and applause. However, his declaration was also somewhat humorous, revealing Sumbhajee's high falsetto voice, which was likely the main reason he tended to stay quiet so often.
Chevalle - Pirate Lord Of The Mediterranean Sea
Styling himself as "Capitaine Chevalle, the penniless Frenchman," Chevalle was the fanciful, proud, gentlemanly Pirate Lord of Europe known for his impeccable wardrobe and physical appearance.
Initially, Chevalle appears as a stereotypical dandy, someone who is both arrogant and snobbish. However, hidden behind his expensive clothing and white makeup is a brilliant tactical mind and someone with a roguish, likable personality and adept sense of adventure. Never shy to run away from a fight, Chevalle incited a brawl against fellow Pirate Lord Villanueva at the meeting of the Brethren Court after the latter pulled a pistol on him, showing his willingness to engage in a good fight whenever he feels threatened.
Jocard - Pirate Lord Of The Atlantic Ocean
Unlike many other pirates, whose backstories are relatively limited, "Gentleman" Jocard's is a little more fleshed out and detailed, revealing a rags-to-riches story for the captain of Ranger.
Sold into slavery, Jocard was originally a chef known as "Gombo." Eventually, he would rise up, finding his way aboard the Black Pearl under Jack Sparrow, before eventually captaining his own ship and leading people who were formerly enslaved in various attacks on slave traders throughout the Atlantic. Despite his hard stance against something as abominable as slavery, Jocard himself could be prone to extreme violence, even suggesting they cut off Barbossa's tongue when Barbossa suggested freeing Calypso. Barbossa has given some terse quotes in Pirates of the Caribbean, but such a violent response seemed a bit excessive.
Eduardo Villanueva - Pirate Lord Of The Adriatic Sea
Eduardo Villanueva was an incredibly proud, grizzled old buccaneer who made a name for himself as a veteran Pirate Lord who only truly respected other older pirates--namely Mistress Ching, for whom he held immense respect.
A hot-tempered, fiery Spaniard with a love for bar fights, Villanueva had a very short temper that could be triggered by virtually anything (even causing a brawl at the Fourth Brethren Court meeting to erupt after he pulled a pistol on Chevalle).
Ching - Pirate Lord Of The Pacific Ocean
One of the more outspoken members of the Brethren Court, "Mistress" was also one of the most feared and respected, ruling the Pacific Ocean with an iron fist. Known for her fierce, often merciless approach to piracy, she commanded a huge fleet at the height of her career in piracy, eventually retiring to Canton with a mass fortune at her disposal.
During the meeting of the Fourth Brethren Court, Ching illustrated a highly tactical, if somewhat overconfident mind. For example, she believed the pirates could simply hide in Shipwreck Cove rather than face the East India Trading Company, though she relented after the newly-elected king of the Court, Elizabeth Swann, vetoed such an idea.
Elizabeth Swann - Pirate Lord Of The South China Sea
Inheriting the title of Pirate Lord from Sao Feng, Elizabeth Swann was one of Pirates of the Caribbeans' principal main characters to be featured on the Brethren Court. Unlike every other Pirate Lord, she is young and new to the Court but firmly speaks out during the meeting, ultimately leading her to be voted Pirate King.
Elizabeth's journey from the spoiled daughter of Governor Swann to the Pirate King was a storied one that took her from the docks of Singapore to Davy Jones' Locker. Along the way, however, Elizabeth showed her growth as a character and a buccaneer in her own right, able to fight some of the most skilled sword-wielding combatants and learning to inspire her fellow pirates to take a stand against the likes of Cutler Beckett, giving one of the best scenes set on the open ocean in Pirates of the Caribbean history.
Hector Barbossa - Pirate Lord Of The Caspian Sea
Another main character in Pirates of the Caribbean, Barbossa has an interesting role both on the Brethren Court and in the Pirates franchise as a whole. Initially introduced as one of the most evil villains in Pirate of the Caribbean there is, Barbossa is the headstrong, dry-witted co-captain of the Black Pearl in the third movie alongside his former rival/reluctant ally, Jack Sparrow.
The Pirate Lord of the Caspian Sea, Barbossa is one of the more vocal members of the Brethren Court, bluntly stating that the Court's best course of action would be to free Calypso. When his idea fails, Barbossa takes matters into his own hands, freeing Calypso despite objection from the other Pirate Lords and Elizabeth Swann, King of the Brethren Court.
Jack Sparrow - Pirate Lord Of The Caribbean Sea
Pirates of the Caribbean's Pirate Lord of the Caribbean, Jack Sparrow is the main individual most people think of when they hear the word "pirate." Sharp, quick-on-his-feet, and always planning six steps ahead, he may not have been voted the Pirate King of the Brethren Court, but that did not stop him from being arguably the most useful Pirate Lord there was.
Having voted Elizabeth as Pirate King, Jack used his wiles to trade himself aboard the Flying Dutchman, thereby putting himself closer to Davy Jones' heart. He may have antagonized virtually every other Pirate Lord on the Court, but it was all according to Jack's plan, showing his unbelievably gifted talent to manipulate his way into any position he is comfortable being in. Without him, it is doubtful the Brethren Court would have been able to beat Jones or Beckett in the film's climactic final battle. Sparrow is easily the best pirate and one of the best characters in Pirates of the Caribbean, never mind on the Brethren Court.