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Pirates, once upon a time, swore an oath of allegiance — often on a Bible — committing to their pirating ways. The so-called pirate code governed how a crew and its captain divided plunder, meted out discipline and determined financial compensation, should a pirate lose a limb while engaged in battle. The code was a crude, necessary tool for preventing mutinous behaviour. In its ideal, it created an all-for-one and all-for-the-rum-and-money ethos that, among present-day pirate re-enactors in Nova Scotia, has fallen into disrepair.

Photo by Pirates of Halifax

In lieu of a code, the spate between Renshaw, Perrin, Hood and Parker sailed into Nova Scotia small claims court some months back for four lengthy hearings. At issue were lots of issues, chiefly the use of the name Pirates of Halifax. Renshaw and company argued that Parker was expelled from the troupe in 2016, but was still using the name; Parker argued that he was the group’s founder and the name was his alone to use.

“The Claimants and the Defendant are all grown men who, in their spare time, dress up as pirates for fun and profit,” adjudicator Eric K. Slone wrote in a 15-page decision rendered March 23, 2018. He found that none of the pirates had the “the right to use the name Pirates of Halifax.”

Perrin said that by forming the MPA he and his friends were trying to move forward, but Parker, who continues to use the Pirates of Halifax name, keeps trying to pick online fights. Parker said Renshaw’s flogger was a flagrant pirate faux pas and had to be called out. Renshaw said the flogger is in fact a starter, and the town of Digby had no complaints.

In the words of the adjudicator: “Suffice it to say that what began as an enthusiastic hobby with the bonus of financial reward, descended into a relationship of considerable discord, mistrust and aggravation.”

• Email: joconnor@nationalpost.com | Twitter: oconnorwrites