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The image of the pirate never fails to capture the imagination. The cut-throat sea robbers of history who plundered richly laden merchant ships are legendary. The likes of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and Henry Morgan are romanticised and celebrated in popular culture.But fiction has taken the place of fact. Piracy was more brutal and rebellious than some of the best artistic depictions let on and in reality, few know the truth about this ruthless trade. What is the difference between a buccaneer and a corsair? Did pirates really bury their treasure? Is piracy still a threat to shipping today?Pirates: Fact & Fiction brings together the National Maritime Museum's rich collection of flags, weapons, maps and fine artworks to explain the intriguing history of the pirate trade. It is the first port of call for anyone keen to separate the fact from the fiction.

John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude is a fascinating account of one man driven by the need to solve one of the greatest practical problems of his time.Following one of the most intriguing and fascinating stories linked to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the book centres onthe life and achievements of John Harrison - designer and builder of the first accurate marine chronometers. Inspired by the official prize offered in 1714 to anyone who could solve the problem of finding longitudinal position at sea, Harrisonproduced his four famous 'H' timepieces. In doing so, he helped revolutionise navigation at sea, saving many thousands of lives.This new edition contains beautiful technical drawings of the mechanisms of clocks and the technology involved in Harrison'screations, bringing to life this inspiring story.

The Ocean Map presents our planet through anocean-centred map. It introduces the principles behind different ways ofrepresenting the world, helping readers understand how maps shape the way wesee our planet. Designed for children aged 7-11, the book explores naturalfeatures, human-made structures and ocean habitats, with detailed spreads thatreveal how science, technology and exploration operate in, on and around the ocean.Case studies such as the Challenger Deep, the Suez Canal and the Great PacificGarbage Patch help explain the impacts of human activity alongside theimportance of ocean research and conservation. Key scientific language isexplained clearly, supported by a glossary, and hidden animals throughoutthe book invite active engagement.

The Armada Portrait is perhaps the most immediately recognisable depiction of Elizabeth I and, arguably, of any British monarch. It captures both the drama of a pivotal moment in Britain's history - the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 - and the majesty of the Tudor monarchy. But while the image it presents is one of assuredness, success and might, the portrait both overstates English power and downplays the real dangers the Armada presented to England and its queen. By understanding the portrait and its symbolism, the history of the Armada and the turbulent Elizabethan age come to life.

Beautifully illustrated and accompanied by extraordinary histories, this book is a celebration of 100 of the most important and exquisite objects in the Royal Museums Greenwich collections, including some of the most significant new acquisitions of the last ten years. From Elizabeth I, the Armada Portrait to the uniform Nelson wore during the Battle of Trafalgar; Harrison's remarkable timepieces to Yinka Shonibare's Ship in a Bottle; the last message of Sir John Franklin's ill-fated expedition to find the North-West Passage to George Stubbs's Kangaroo and Dingo paintings, the Museum's iconic objects are presented in a chronological format, each selected for their unique significance.

Published to coincide with the 250th anniversary of Turner’s birth, J.M.W. Turner’s ‘The Battle of Trafalgar’: Commemoration and Controversy explores the compelling history of Turner’s largest painting and his only royal commission. The Battle of Trafalgar is one of the most famous pictures in the collection of Royal Museums Greenwich, yet its story is surprisingly complex. This book charts the painting’s tumultuous journey, from the challenges that Turner faced during its creation and the storm of criticism that greeted its unveiling to its eventual place at the centre of a national art collection.  J.M.W. Turner’s ‘The Battle of Trafalgar’: Commemoration and Controversy is part of the Royal Museums Greenwich Spotlight series, accessible introductions to some of the most intriguing objects in the collection.

From elite officers to ordinary sailors, the portrayal of naval personnel has been a significant branch of British art for over 500 years. The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich holds the largest collection of naval portraits in the world, including over 600 paintings and many more prints and drawings, spanning from the sixteenth century to the present day. These portraits reveal how the Royal Navy was viewed at different moments in history and grant us access to individual stories, revealing the concerns and aspirations of people and families caught up in naval affairs. Many are also innovative and important works of art. For centuries, naval portraits have forged, reinforced and challenged ideas of gender, heroism and loyalty. They have functioned as icons of empire, demonstrations of professionalism and personal mementos for loved ones. While charting the historical evolution of the Royal Navy's image and explaining the meaning of common naval symbols - from anchors, cannons and swords to uniforms, medals and badges, this book also tells the stories of specific artists, sitters and collectors, and of the places where portraits were made and displayed, from private homes to public exhibitions and ultimately the museum itself.

How far is a light year? Why isn't Pluto a planet anymore? Will the Universe end? What exactly is dark energy? How much does it cost to deliver a pizza to space?Uncover the answers to some of the most puzzling questions about space in this entertaining and informative miscellany from the expert astronomers at Royal Observatory Greenwich. This pocket-sized book is packed with hundreds of amazing facts, on subjects as varied as the mysteries of dark energy and antimatter to a rock on Mars called Humphrey, and everything in between.Space Oddities: An Astronomy Miscellany is a rocket-fuelled exploration of the Universe and all its wonders, filled with incredible discoveries, intriguing theories and a lot of questions still to answer.

The Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House illustrate the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars, and their relationship with people. Explore the fabulous Royal Museums Greenwich with this amazing handbook. Packed with facts, activities, puzzles and stickers.

This eighteenth-century glass bottle – and what it contained – represents an important step in the fight against a disease that once claimed the lives of millions: scurvy. Through notable voyages and afflicted individuals, the physical and psychological manifestations of the deadly ‘sickness of the sea’ are examined in a maritime context. What starts as a story of the often haphazard and ineffective efforts to find a cure becomes a tale of pioneering experiments and the eventual discovery of vitamin C. Sea Sick: Lime Juice and Scurvy is part of the Royal Museums Greenwich Spotlight series, accessible introductions to some of the most intriguing objects in the collection.

Only one man in British history has ever been knighted forservices to combat piracy, but his name – unlike those of his legendaryadversaries – is practically unknown. Now in the collection of Royal MuseumsGreenwich, a cup made of coconut and set into a silver mount links the lives ofpirate-hunter Chaloner Ogle and pirate extraordinaire Bartholomew Roberts, theinfamous ‘Black Bart’. Their story reveals the realities of crime, justice andthe Royal Navy’s role in protecting British interests at sea during piracy’s‘golden age’, at a time when growing global trade networks were increasinglyunder threat from roving bands of sea robbers. Captain Ogle’s Cup: A Pirate Adventure is part of theRoyal Museums Greenwich Spotlight series, accessible introductions to some ofthe most intriguing objects in the collection.

This is the story of a young midshipman in the Royal Navy and his audacious escape from Napoleonic France. Only 13 years old when he was captured by the French, Charles Hare spent six years as a prisoner of war before making his break for freedom disguised in a French customs service uniform. This uniform is now in the collection of Royal Museums Greenwich, along with the autobiographical account of his escape. His tale is unique and deeply personal, but it also sheds light on wider histories of customs regulation, conflict and captivity. Charles Hare’s Great Escape: The Story of a Napoleonic Prisoner of War is part of the Royal Museums Greenwich Spotlight series, accessible introductions to some of the most intriguing objects in the collection.

‘The Keeper of All The Secrets’: Ceramic Art, Botanicals and the Caribbean Market Woman centres around a new work in ceramic by contemporary artist and writer Jacqueline Bishop. Featuring original essays, poetry by Bishop and an extensive interview with the artist, the book considers the role and significance of the market woman, who enabled others living under colonialism to take control of their reproductive agency. With The Keeper of All The Secrets, the artist subverts the traditions of commemoration associated with the medium, using it instead to probe the legacies of colonial plantation systems and the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans, and to celebrate the knowledge and resistance of a female figure who has, until now, been critically overlooked. This book is part of the Royal Museums Greenwich Spotlight series, accessible introductions to some of the most intriguing objects in the collection.

Buried Treasure is a light-hearted look at some of the most feared men and women who sailed the seas. The book lifts the lid or 'blows the gaff' on pirate lore and sayings, setting the record straight on the lives and ways of pirates, and revealing the meanings behind, and uses of, common maritime sayings.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a Gran who used to be a pirate. But even though she has settled by the seaside, Gran still gets into mischief. So if you want to avoid trouble, don't make her mad. Don't criticise her cooking - and never EVER look underneath her bed... 'Very funny and packed full of ideas!' - Charlie Higson, author of the Young Bond series and co-creator of The Fast Show.

Pirate Gran is back. And this time she's going for gold!In this follow up to the hugely popular Pirate Gran, our adventurous pensioner has now got wind of the Olympics and, with the help of old shipmates Flint-Hearted Jack, Fingers O'Malley, and Cut-Throat Malone (not to mention her long-suffering pet croc), she's dead set on becoming a world champion... Bridging the gap between the young and the young at heart, this wayward granny's adventures will have everyone in stitches - young and old alike! Packed with lively illustrations and quirky humor, Pirate Gran Goes for Gold will foster creativity in youngsters and help them develop ideas for pirate games of their own.

The final installment in the charming and hilarious Pirate Gran children's book series.Gran used to be a pirate, so she isn't afraid of anything. Not even monsters. So when her old shipmates shiver, and her crocodile quakes, Pirate Gran takes out her cutlass and rushes to the rescue... In the final book in the Pirate Gran series, our favorite seafaring pensioner returns for a new adventure! This time, she must save her old friends Flint-Hearted Jack, Fingers O'Malley, Cut-Throat Malone, and her beloved pet crocodile. Pirate Gran tackles her shipmates' worst fears with courage, her cutlass, and a pinch of logic. And when she's done with the monsters, even her silly pirates agree it's safe to put out the lights.

Every year, thousands of people come to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to have their photograph taken on the line of the Prime Meridian - longitude 0 Degrees - as they stand in the eastern and western hemispheres at the same time.But what is the purpose and history of the Greenwich Meridian? What other points in the world lie along it? And what links the line with navigation, timekeeping and the stars? Find out on this whistle-stop tour from the North Pole, through Greenwich, to France, Spain, Africa and Antarctica, revealing the Greenwich Meridian's fascinating history along the way.

How old is Earth? Can we look back in time? How long is a light year? How short is a femtosecond? What is Greenwich Mean Time? How did astronauts tell the time on the Moon? When did time begin?It's high time you knew the answers to these and many more intriguing questions, so why not pass the time reading this lighthearted, illustrated miscellany, packed with hundreds of amazing facts from the time experts at the Royal Observatory. In less than no time, you'll have discovered the myriad of influences that time has on our daily lives.

Ted is no ordinary teddy bear. Ted is a brave bear and a great explorer. One night Ted decides to go on a super-duper-mega-massive Solar System adventure! So slurp that teddy tea, zip up that spacesuit and fasten your seatbelt as you get ready to zoom through space with Ted, exploring the planets, the Sun and the Moon. Just make sure you're back before breakfast!

This charming book is guaranteed to please any young fan of space exploration and science. The activities found in these pages invite readers to solve puzzles, colour in pictures - and draw their own - and even qualify for their very first Teddy Space Agency Certificate. Packed with stickers and full of fun, it is the perfect gift for budding astronauts.

A visit to Greenwich is a chance to explore not one, but four fascinating places - the National Maritime Museum, the Queen's House, the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark. So what are you waiting for...? Explore the fabulous Royal Museums Greenwich with this amazing handbook especially for kids! Packed with facts, games, activities, puzzles and stickers.

When is a boat not a ship? Was Captain Kidd truly a pirate? What was the deadliest disaster at sea? Is the Bermuda Triangledangerous? Are mermaids real? What does ‘three sheets to the wind’ mean? How do you tie a clove hitch knot?Ahoy! Want to learn the ropes of the maritime world? This light-hearted, illustrated miscellany is packed full of hundreds of amazing facts from the experts at the National Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark to put the wind in your sails. All aboard, it’s time to discover the world beyond the shore.

Are you a super-massive space fan? Great! Let's go on an adventure through the Solar System and BEYOND! Would you like to know where to find rubber-duck shaped space rocks, ice-spewing volcanoes and raindrops the size of mini marshmallows? Maybe you want to find out how many giant squids you would need to form a conga line long enough to reach the Moon?You'll find the answers to these questions and plenty more in this brilliant guide to the Solar System, brought to you by the world-famous Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Prepare to have your brain boggled by the amazing world of space science and astronomy!

A beautifully illustrated children's board book that teaches counting with a nautical theme Illustrated with beautiful recycled paper collages, 123 of the Sea is the perfect way to teach young readers about the seaside. Designed for babies and toddlers ages 18 months and up, this charming board book is a lovely way to start your little one's counting journey.

Whether stargazing with the naked eye or observing deep space with the largest telescopes in the world, humans have a seemingly neverending fascination with the stars. Our ancestors saw patterns in their random arrangement, inventing both tales of legendary heroes and the pastime of dot-to-dot in one fell swoop.But it's only in the last century or so that the natures of these distant lights have been revealed - and it's more incredible than any legend.How are stars born? How long do they live? And just how many times can you read the word 'trillion' before it starts sounding made up?Find out as astronomer Dr Greg Brown of Royal Observatory Greenwich takes a short diversion from obsessing over black holes to illuminate us about the lives of stars - ending in black holes, naturally.

From a planet with a hexagonal storm to the home of the Solar System's largest volcano, our neighbouring bodies are unique and fascinating places. Where else would you find somewhere with days longer than its years?Humanity's understanding of planets has changed drastically since ancient times when early astronomers mistook the lights they saw in the sky for wandering stars. We've come a long way since then, but there's still so much we don't know.Could there be life on Mars? How many planets exist outside the Solar System? Is there another 'Earth' out there? And why can't we call Pluto a planet anymore? Discover more in this essential guide to planets in the Solar System and beyond by astronomer Dr Emily Drabek-Maunder of Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Black holes seem like the stuff of science fiction, but the reality behind these astronomical objects is even more peculiar. So strong is the gravity within a black hole not even light can escape it, but that is just one piece of the puzzle.The science behind black holes is notoriously complex, but this concise introduction reveals how some general principles form the basis of our understanding of them, before exploring the possibilities of time travel, wormholes and spaghettification (not as tasty as it sounds!).Astronomer Dr Ed Bloomer gives you a whistle-stop guide to the fate of the Universe, the mechanics of a black hole and, most importantly, instructions for what to do should you fall into one! Discover how scientists detect these amazing phenomena and why you should probably avoid them at all costs.

The enormous significance of the Sun to our lives has been felt ever since ominous eclipses and mysterious sunspots were observed many thousands of years ago. Scientists and astronomers from many different fields have contributed over the centuries to the rich knowledge we have of the Sun and its relationship with the Earth.What is the Sun made of? What is the solar wind? What could magnetism have to do with the Sun? How have scientists madethese discoveries, and what does it all mean for us here on Earth? And what of the deep scientific mysteries that remain unresolved? Understanding our closest star has never been more important.Delve into the secrets of the Sun in this guide from Brendan Owens, Astronomer Emeritus for Royal Observatory Greenwich and Open Science Coordinator at Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin.