Red Ensign

At times a pirate Captain may wish to declare that they will spare nobody. The Red Ensign, an empty field of red, means "No quarter given" and if flown sends a message to the pirate's victims that they will not be treated to anything less than outright merciless slaughter. The red ensign is not often used as pirates ordinarily wish to convince their victims to surrender without a fight, however there are occasions when pirates go to war or simply wish to send a message that will be spoken of and harden their reputation as a Captain who is prepared to send a ship and all hands aboard to Davey Jones.