What we think of as the “pirate accent” is from West Country England, e.g. Bristol, Devon and Cornwall.

But why pick up an accent from there, when famous pirates came from all over the Atlantic?

Hollywood is to blame.

Robert Newton, was a British actor who was best known for playing Long John Silver, Blackbeard and other pirate roles in 1950s Disney produced movies and TV shows.

He was born and raised in Dorset, near Bristol, and he used that accent for his portrayals.

Here’s a sample of Robert Newton from Blackbeard: