Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Its adherents, known as Christians believe that Jesus is the Christ, whose coming as the Messiah was prophesied n the Hebrew Bible, called the Old Testament in Christianity, and chronicled in the New Testament, both parts comprising the Holy Bible.
History[]
Season One[]
Pastor Lambrick leads a small but devout congregation of Puritans on the largely pirate-ridden New Providence Island. He visits Miranda Barlow every Wednesday for advice on his sermons. Shortly before Easter, Lambrick arrives and Mrs. Barlow greets him with tea. She reads his sermon, which says that "It is Christ's love of sinners that gave him the strength to endure his agony. This, the truest form of love, love through suffering," she then asks Lambrick if he believes this. Lambrick replies that it is not to be believed or disbelieved, but it's God's gospel truth. Miranda then counters him by quoting a poetic verse from the Song of Solomon, and says that God wrote that too and that he could take her word that true love should not require suffering[1].
Later, Pastor Lambrick is brought to the Barlow Estate to listen to Richard Guthrie, who asks him if he knows who he is. Lambrick replies that Richard is the reason New Providence Island is infested with pirates. Lambrick adds that God teaches them not to cheer when others stumble, but in Richard’s case, Lambrick says he has to ask God for forgiveness. Richard then asks what God has to say about redemption. Lambrick responds that if you accept His love you will find it. Richard then asks about doing good works and penance for his past sins- trying to accelerate the process of the British Empire driving out the pirates[2].
After sleeping with Miranda, Lambrick practices his sermon in a field. He poses the question that after the spirit is renewed and body resurrected, what happens to ones previous sins? He asks if traces of it linger to mock and torment them, to remind them of the Hell that awaits the unrepentant in the next life, and also if this life often feels like Hell. At the Inn, Alice is exposed as withholding money from Jack and Max. She swears on the body and blood of Jesus Christ that it will not happen again [3].
Season Two[]
Royal Navy captain Francis Hume tortures Billy Bones using a technique he learned from a Spanish bishop. Billy is placed in a leather vest in the sun that Hume pours water on. Hume tells him that it will take six days for the sun to shrink the leather so tightly that it will cause the ribs to collapse, puncturing vital organs. Hume jokes that on the seventh day, Billy will rest, before voicing his surprise that they have a sense of humor.
In a flashback to 1705, Lord Thomas Hamilton quotes a number of verses from the book of Genesis from the story of creation, saying that the moral of the story is that everyone needs a partner. As they talk about how they would rebuild Nassau as a viable colony, Lieutenant James McGraw mentions that they would need clergy to raise spirits. When McGraw voices his concern that this plan is not viable, Hamilton replies that the New World is a gift, a sacred opportunity to right their wrongs and start anew. Hamilton adds that he does not want his family’s plot in it to be the reason for its fall[4].
In another flashback to 1705, Thomas and his father, Lord Alfred Hamilton, argue about the idea of offering the pirates of Nassau pardons. Alfred is vehemently against it, saying it will make them seem like traitors and cowards while England is at war. Thomas says that they are fighting a war to ensure that a Protestant gains the throne of Spain, and further says that they are fighting a war in the service of the son of God, and asks why it would be treason to offer forgiveness to those who would seek it[5].
When Jack Rackham leads the crew of the Colonial Dawn in trying to capture the merchant vessel, the True North, they have to compete with another pirate crew, of the Goliath. When Rackham meets his competition’s captain, Linus Harcourt, he asks why their ship is named after the greatest disappointment in the history of warfare, referencing with the story of David defeating the giant Goliath with a sling. Harcourt then proposes that they work out a deal to split the cargo, asking if he has ever done that before. Rackham says he has never “split a baby,” a reference to the story of King Solomon, who was asked to mediate a dispute between two women who claimed to be the mother of a baby. Solomon proposed cutting the child in two and giving each woman a half. One agreed while the other refused, revealing that the one who refused was the actual mother[6].
After Nicholas Irving dies in a fall from the mainmast of the Spanish Man O’ War, he is buried at sea. The Anglican prayer for burial at sea is recited. They follow the traditional Anglican rules for burial at sea: Nicholas’ body is sewn into a canvas bag and weighted down before being thrown into the water[7].
After Richard Guthrie is killed, Pastor Lambrick oversees the funeral, and recites the 23rd Psalm as the coffin is buried. In Charles Town, Lord Peter Ashe listens to Flint’s proposal to reconcile the pirates of Nassau with the British Empire, and tells him that there are men in Parliament who would listen to it on religious grounds[8].
At Flint’s trial, a sign is posted outside the church in Charles Town’s main square that says “suffering is the soil in which faith grows.”[9]
Season Three[]
Mrs. Hudson pretends to read a book, the Pilgrim’s Progress, a Christian allegory, while secretly speaking to her handler, Juan Antonio Grandal of the Casa de Contratación. She also keeps a crucifix in her room[10].
Pastor Lambrick visits Charles Vane in his cell shortly before his execution, bringing him a piece of bread as his last meal. The Pastor warns Vane that it may be overwhelming, but he has this opportunity to find some peace and repent. Vane answers that he has nothing to repent for with Lambrick. Lambrick is angered by this, and voices his surprise that Vane feels no remorse for all the death and carnage he has caused. Vane answers that he chooses not to share his remorse with Lambrick, and whatever he has to say to God he’ll tell him himself or not at all[11].
Season Four[]
Flint quotes a passage from Genesis about Jacob and Esau fighting in Rebecca’s womb, comparing it to the pirates and the Maroons and the high tensions in their fragile alliance. During the invasion of Nassau, Pastor Lambrick and many other civilians take shelter in the vaults beneath Fort Nassau. He leads several women and children in a prayer circle[12].
When Jack Rackham arrives in the Philadelphia aboard the Lion, he is forced to pay a number of entry fees, including a mandatory donation to the Society of Friends- the Quaker Church[13].
As the Walrus arrives in Skeleton Island, one pirate clutches his crucifix as they sail past a massive shipwreck[14].
Sects of Christianity[]
Catholicism[]
Catholics believe that the Catholic Church is the is the first and original Christian Church. The spiritual leader of the Church is the Pope.
Protestants[]
Protestants splintered off from the Catholic Church, the original Christian church, due to their belief that it became corrupt.
Anglicanism[]
The Church of England, or Anglicans, maintains many customs of the Catholic Church, but it also embraced Protestant ideas. The monarch of the British Empire is considered the supreme governor of the Church, with authority to approve appointment of church leaders.
Quakers[]
Quakers, more formally known as the Religious Society of Friends, was founded in the 17th century in England. They believe that God’s presence exists in every person, and they object to elaborate ceremonies. They are also known for their tolerance and pacifism. Pennsylvania Colony was founded by Quakers.
Puritans[]
Puritans were English Protestants who wished to purify the Church of England of Catholic practices, believing it needed to be more protestant. Facing persecution, many left England for the New World, with one group founding the colony of Massachusetts.
Quotes[]
"It is Christ's love of sinners that gave him the strength to endure his agony. This, the truest form of love, love through suffering-- Do you believe this?" "It's not to be believed or disbelieved. It's God's gospel truth, is it not?"
- Miranda Barlow and Pastor Lambrick in III.
"...be turned into corruption, looking for the resurrection of the body ( when the sea shall give up her dead ), and the life of the world to come through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. We therefore commit his body to the deep."
- The Anglican prayer for burial at sea, recited at the funeral of Nicholas Irving in XVI.