Lego Pirates


Pirates is a Lego theme launched in 1989 featuring pirates, soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars, Pacific Islanders, sailing ships, and buried treasure, being influenced by the late Golden Age of Piracy. The theme has been seen in Lego System, Duplo and the 4+ theme.

History

Created by a small team led by designer Niels Milan Pedersen, Lego Pirates was the company's fourth theme and it was more complex. Numerous new pieces were also created including firearms, wildlife, and cloth sails. Lego Pirates minifigures were the first to go beyond the traditional head with simply two dots for eyes and a smile, as many of them had a variety of different printed features including eyepatches, facial hair, and feminine makeup. Only a few minifigures in Lego Pirates used the traditional face of two eyes and a smile; the soldier/trooper of the Imperial Soldiers and Imperial Guards, the Imperial Soldiers sailor/marine, and young pirate Bo'Sun Will.Prior to the launch of Lego Pirates, minifigures were distinguished in function and organization by their torso, headgear, and accessories, being generic roles without any specified character.
In Lego's first attempt to establish a narrative and encourage role-playing, personalities were created for several of these minifigures of Lego Pirates. Stories were printed on boxes, particularly for the USA market where the larger sets had a flap that opened up to display the contents. In a first for Lego television ads used stop-motion animation. A comic book entitled "The Gold Medallion" was also released in that year, as well as a Ladybird Book series. The storyline takes place in the 18th century, where pirates had been searching for buried treasure as the doubloons belonged to their ancestors, however a colony of settlers discovered the treasure first and claimed it, leading to conflict. The Governor of the colony was forced to fortify the settlements and attempted to hide the treasure in his main fortress.
The Pirates were led by Captain Redbeard whose is distinguished by his black bicorne hat, left eye patch, peg leg on the right and a hook where his left hand was; his crew included First Mate Rummy and the young Bo'Sun Will. Another pirate leader was Captain Ironhook who has been suggested as a rival to Redbeard; both minifigures were similar except that Ironhook had a tattered shirt. Their emblem was the Jolly Roger, a black flag featuring the skull and crossbones. 6285 Black Seas Barracuda was their first pirate ship while 6270 Forbidden Island was their original hideout, both released in 1989. The catalogue releases for the Pirates expanded considerably with a larger base, 6273 Rock Island Refuge, and then a pair of pirate ships in 1993.
Opposing the Pirates were the Imperial Soldiers led by Governor Broadside and his second-in-command Lieutenant de Martinet. These blue-coated forces were based upon the French navy and marines of the colonial era and Napoleonic Wars, being known Imperial Soldiers in certain catalogues worldwide, though explicitly identified as "Governors" on page 16 of the 1990 American catalog. From 1992-93, the Imperial Soldiers were gradually replaced by the red-coated Imperial Guards led by Admiral Woodside. The smaller Imperial Soldiers sets that continued on sale until the end of 1993 were considered part of the Guards, in part as placeholders since only two more catalogue sets were released for the Guards after 1992. The Soldiers and Guards minifigures were very similar save for a Palette swap of uniforms and facial expressions. Both the Imperial Soldiers and the Imperial Guards used two crossed cannons under a crown as their emblem, though the Soldiers' blue flag was similar to the Flag of Quebec while the Guards had three thick red horizontal stripes. The Imperial Guards were reintroduced in 2009-10, and the Imperial Soldiers were reintroduced in 2015; the Guards and Soldiers were the respective government opponents of the Pirates during the brief periods of Lego Pirates revival.
A new faction loosely based on a Polynesian concept, the Islanders, was released for 1994. This resulted in Lego having three factions in 1994 and 1995, with the Pirates battling the Imperial Guard on the high seas and disturbing the Islanders while seeking treasure. However in 1995 Lego discontinued all of the previously-released Imperial Guards sets from 1992 to 1993, making the new release 6263 Imperial Outpost the sole Imperial Guards set, which essentially made the year a Pirates versus Islanders conflict.
For 1996 Lego changed the entire "feel" of the Pirates line, giving the Pirates minifigs new faces, and made it Spanish-influenced. The Imperial Guards were replaced by the Imperial Armada, though the Guards' 6263 Imperial Outpost remained available in 1996 as a medium land base for Imperial side, as ending up only two sets were released for the Armada including the 6280 Armada Flagship. 1996 was also the last year for the Islanders who had not seen any new releases since 1994 nor had their minifigures featured as guests in other factions' sets. 1997 featured just the Pirates versus the Imperial Armada; however some of the new releases like 6250 Cross Bone Clipper and 6281 Pirates Perilous Pitfalls were not well received and this turned out to the final year of original Lego Pirates run.
After 1997 Lego discontinued the Pirates theme to the shock to fans, because the Pirates line had always been a big seller. The original releases retrospectively were most nostalgic among Lego Pirates fans due to the sets' design and meticulous detail, which was sacrificed in subsequent releases for increased playability which drew a mixed reception. For instance the 6286 Skull's Eye Schooner, which succeeded 6285 Black Seas Barracuda as the main pirates ship set, implemented a mechanism for the ship's wheel to control the rudder which necessitated a smaller and less detailed aft cabin, plus the Skull's Eye Schooner's cannons are attached to rotating turntables on sliders instead of the more realistic placement of cannons upon wheeled naval carriages like earlier Lego Pirates ship sets. 6289 Red Beard Runner, which replaced 6286, drew criticism for "battle damage" features like the tumbling forward mast and collapsing quarterdeck as these made the assembled set unstable. The changes to Lego's set design direction, not just in Lego Pirates but also across their other product lines, have been attributed to the Lego Group's retiring of many LEGO Designers who had created the sets from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, replacing them with 30 'innovators' who graduated from the European design colleges around Europe who knew "little specifically about toy design and less about LEGO building".
The Pirates theme was brought to 4+ for 2004 and Duplo for 2006.
Lego reintroduced Pirates and Imperial Guards in minifigure scale for 2009, including the pirate ship 6243 Brickbeard’s Bounty, just in time for the theme's 20th anniversary. However there was only one more set released the following year, the 10210 Imperial Flagship which was largest vessel in Lego Pirates ever released. After 2010, the revived Lego Pirates theme was discontinued in order to make room for a series of licensed products, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, based on the film series of the same name.
In 2015, Lego had another brief reintroduction of the theme with Pirates and Imperial Soldiers, including the pirate ship 70413 The Brick Bounty.

Set list

Two 1996 Pirate sets, "Red Beard Runner" and "Armada Flagship", and one 1994 Islanders set, "Enchanted Island", were re-released for 2001.
6276 Eldorado Fortress remains a classic for its design and innovation. Being considered the benchmark for Lego pirate ships, the 6285 Black Seas Barracuda was re-released as 10040 Black Seas Barracuda as part of the Lego Legends series. The Black Seas Barracuda was also the inspiration for the 30th Lego Ideas set 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay, released in 2020, which can be built either as a pirate shipwreck on an island or the pirate ship due to its modular design.
The 10210 Imperial Flagship of the Imperial Guards faction is the largest ship in Lego Pirates ever released, exceeding that of the 6286 Skull's Eye Schooner. This ended a long running gag in Lego Pirates where the previous three Imperials' flagships were smaller than contemporary pirate ships; traditionally the pirate ship was also the largest and most expensive set of its era in Lego Pirates.
Set names from UK, Australia & New Zealand given in brackets.

Pirates (1989–1997, 2001–2002)

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
6235Buried Treasure Pirate, Monkey
6251Pirate Mini FiguresPirate, Captain, 2 Imperial Soldiers, Parrot
6255Pirate Comic2 Pirates
6257Castaway's Raft 3 Pirates, Shark
6270Forbidden Island 2 Pirates, Captain, 1 Imperial Soldier, Monkey, Parrot, Shark
6285Black Seas Barracuda 6 Pirates, Female Pirate, Captain, Monkey, ParrotRe-released 2002

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
6260Shipwreck Island 2 Pirates, Monkey, Parrot

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
1481Pirates Desert IslandPirate, Shark
6234Renegade's Raft Pirate, Shark
6273Rock Island Refuge 3 Pirates, Female Pirate, Captain, 2 Imperial Soldiers

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
1464Pirate LookoutPirate
1492Battle CovePirate, Shark
1696Pirate LookoutPirate
1889Pirates Treasure HoldPirate, Monkey
6258Smuggler's Shanty 2 Pirates, 1 Imperial Guard, Shark
6261Raft Raiders 2 Pirates, Captain, Shark

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
1970Pirates Gun Cart2 Pirates
6237Pirates' Plunder Pirate, Imperial Guard, Parrot
6252Sea MatesPirate, Captain, 2 Imperial Guards, Monkey, Parrot
6268Renegade Runner 3 Pirates, Captain
6286Skull's Eye Schooner 7 Pirates, Female Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, Shark

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
1713Shipwrecked PiratePirate
1733Shipwrecked PiratePirate
1871Pirates CannonPirate
1873Pirates TreasurePirate

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
1788Treasure ChestPirate, Captain, 2 Islanders, Crocodile
6254Rocky Reef2 Pirates, Skeleton, Parrot
6279Skull Island3 Pirates, Captain, 2 Imperial Guards, Monkey, Parrot

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
1747Treasure SurprisePirate
1802Tidy TreasurePirate
6232Skeleton CrewPirate, Skeleton
6248Volcano IslandPirate, Skeleton
6289Red Beard Runner 6 Pirates, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, SharkRe-released 2001
6296Shipwreck Island2 Pirates, Armada Soldier, Skeleton, Crocodile

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
6249Pirates Ambush2 Pirates, Armada Soldier, Crocodile
6204BuccaneersPirate, Captain, 2 Armada Soldiers, Skeleton
6250Cross Bone ClipperPirate, Female Pirate, Captain
6281Pirates Perilous Pitfall3 Pirates, 2 Armada Soldiers, Skeleton, Parrot, Crocodile

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
6290Red Beard Runner6 Pirates, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, SharkRe-release of 6289
10040Black Seas Barracuda6 Pirates, Female Pirate, Captain, Monkey, ParrotRe-release of 6285

Pirates (2009–2010)

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
6239Cannon BattlePirate, Soldier
6240Kraken Attackin'2 Pirates, Parrot, Octopus
6241Loot IslandPirate, Castaway, Soldier, Crocodile
6242Soldiers' Fort3 Soldiers, Admiral, Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Crocodile
6243Brickbeard's Bounty3 Pirates, Captain, 2 Soldiers, Admiral's Daughter, Mermaid, Monkey, Parrot, Shark
6253Shipwreck HideoutPirate, Female Pirate, Captain, 2 Soldiers, Skeleton, ParrotLimited Edition
8396Soldier's ArsenalSoldier
8397Pirate SurvivalPirate
10210Imperial FlagshipAdmiral, Captain, 4 Soldiers, Admiral's Daughter, Pirate, Cook, Saw Shark, RatLargest ship ever released by Lego

Pirates (2015)

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
40158Pirates Chess Set10 Pirates, 10 Bluecoat Soldiers
70409Shipwreck DefensePirate, Bluecoat Soldier, Fish
70410Soldiers OutpostPirate, Bluecoat Soldier, Bluecoat Sergeant 1, Crab, Octopus
70411Treasure IslandPirate, Pirate Princess, Bluecoat Soldier, Crocodile, Parrot
70412Soldiers FortPirate, Pirate Gunner, Bluecoat Soldier, Governor, Governor's Daughter, Frog
70413The Brick BountyPirate, Pirate First Mate, Pirate Cook, Captain, Admiral, Bluecoat Sergeant 2, Bluecoat Soldier, Sawfish

Juniors Pirates (2015)

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
10679Pirate Treasure HuntPirate, Skeleton, SharkThe only Pirates set in the LEGO Juniors line.

Imperial Soldiers (1989–1993)

ReferenceNameReleasedMinifiguresNotes
6245Harbor Sentry 1990Imperial Soldier
6259Broadside's Brig 19912 Imperial Soldiers, Pirate, Parrot
6265Sabre Island 19903 Imperial Soldiers
6267Lagoon Lock-Up 19913 Imperial Soldiers, Pirate, Captain, Parrot
6274Caribbean Clipper 19893 Imperial Sailors/Marines, Admiral
6276Eldorado Fortress 19894 Imperial Soldiers, Lieutenant, Admiral, Pirate, Captain

Imperial Guards (1992–1995)

ReferenceNameReleasedMinifiguresNotes
1795Imperial Cannon1994Imperial Guard
1872Soldiers Forge19942 Imperial Guards
6247Bounty Boat 19922 Imperial Guards, Pirate
6263Imperial Outpost 19952 Imperial Guards, Admiral, Pirate
6266Cannon Cove 19932 Imperial Guards, Pirate
6271Imperial Flagship 19922 Imperial Guards, Admiral, Pirate
6277Imperial Trading Post 19923 Imperial Guards, Admiral, 5 Pirates

Imperial Armada (1996–1997, 2001)

ReferenceNameReleasedMinifiguresNotes
6244Armada Sentry 1996Armada Soldier
6280Armada Flagship 19962 Armada Soldiers, AdmiralRe-released 2001
6291Spaniard Ship 20012 Armada Soldiers, AdmiralRe-release of 6280

Islanders (1994, 2001)

ReferenceNameMinifiguresNotes
6236King Kahuka Chief
6246Crocodile Cage Islander, Pirate, Parrot, Crocodile
6256Islander Catamaran Chief, Female Islander, Crocodile
6262King Kahuka's Throne Chief, 2 Islanders, 2 Pirates, Crocodile
6264Forbidden Cove 2 Islanders, Pirate, Captain, Parrot, Crocodile
6278Enchanted Island 3 Islanders, Female Islander, Chief, Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, CrocodileRe-released 2001
6292Enchanted Island3 Islanders, Female Islander, Chief, Pirate, Captain, Monkey, Parrot, CrocodileRe-release of 6278

Official merchandise

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

Characters

Pirates

Captain Redbeard / Captain Roger
Captain Redbeard, also known as Captain Roger in the UK and other markets, 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 large 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.
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 Captain 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 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.
Starting with a 1992 set, there appeared a minifigure quite similar to Captain Roger/Redbeard but more intimidating, the main difference being the torso with a shredded red shirt and sporting a massive knife slung through his belt. Although initially regarded as another depiction of Captain Roger/Redbeard, he is regarded as a separate character named "Captain Ironhook" on the Classic Pirates website. Ironhook commands the masted raft 6261 Raft Raiders and the small pirate ship 6268 Renegade Runner. Late minifigures of Ironhook have a peg leg like Redbeard. While they are nominally on the same side when facing the Imperial Guard, the two pirate captains are not on friendly terms especially if treasure is being disputed.
Identified as Captain Roger's/Redbeard's first mate.
Governor Broadside is Captain Roger's/Redbeard's chief enemy and 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.
Lt. de Martinet is identified on the website Classic Pirates as Governor Broadside's second-in-command.
Adm. Woodhouse is identified as the leader of the red-coated Imperial Guards.
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 feathers, a face painted white and blue, a necklace made out of teeth and a large round medallion, a red sash around his waist 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 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 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
Dark Shark Crew
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

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 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