James Norrington's Promotion Ceremony

"*Gillette, Mr. Sparrow has a dawn appointment with the gallows. I would hate for him to miss it.*"

## James Norrington's Promotion Ceremony

### Key Individuals

James Norrington / Elizabeth Swann / Jack Sparrow

The **Promotion Ceremony in the name of James Norrington** was the ceremony that carried James Norrington from the rank of Lieutenant to Commodore of the Royal Navy that was to take place in Fort Charles. The event occurred as planned without interruption, however soon after its end the event was hijacked by Jack Sparrow, who appeared at the docks of Port Royal just as Elizabeth Swann fainted. Despite saving Elizabeth's life, Jack was descended upon by the Royal Navy, leading into a chase throughout the port town.

## Prelude

##### Previous: ...

As a result of his dedicated, loyalty and strength as a Lieutenant within the Royal Navy, James Norrington had been given the honor of a promotion to the rank of Commodore. Aware that Norrington fancied his daughter, Weatherby Swann bought his daughter a new corseted dress that he asked for her to wear during the ceremony. He had also requested a new sword to gift to the soon-to-be Commodore from the blacksmith John Brown. William Turner oversaw the production of the sword, taking much time to make the perfect blade. He came to the Swann Mansion to gift the sword to Weatherby prior to the event. He was met by Elizabeth who reminded him that she wanted to referred to informally.

On the dock of Port Royal, Jack Sparrow approached having sailed his ship, *Jolly Mon*, to Port Royal. During his travels, the ships integrity had been compromised and had begun a leak as he approached Jamaica. Jack pulled into Port Royal where he planned to steal a new ship on which to set out and start the life of a pirate anew. He passed a warning sign to pirates, accompanied by a trio of hung and rotten pirate corpses. Jack gave his respects as he passed. Upon reaching Port Royal, the *Jolly Mon* was fully sunk. He paid 3 shillings to the harbormaster for the right to dock and to keep his name anonymous. The harbormaster accepted the bribe and allowed Sparrow to enter Port Royal under the name "Mr. Smith". As Jack left the harbor he stole the harbormasters small pocket of shillings.

## Recount

##### The Ceremony

The important members that lived and worked at Port Royal attended the ceremony, standing in observation of Norrington's promotion. Swann, tied tightly into her corset, struggled to breathe in the heat. The procession was slow and tedious, royal guards going through rehearsed movements. James Norrington marched through the corridor created by the marines gathered in ceremony. He was given his new ceremonial blade which he used to perform impressive swings and tricks. After the main body of the ceremony was over, all those in attendance separated and began eating and drinking. James approached Elizabeth, asking her for a moment to talk to her. Once aside from the main crowd, James Norrington spoke to Elizabeth about a marriage proposal. The moment was cut short however as Elizabeth passed out as a result of not being able to breathe in her dress. She fell from the Fort, down into the ocean below.

##### Robbery of the *Interceptor*

During the ceremony occurred, Jack Sparrow spied the HMS *Interceptor*, the ship of Commodore James Norrington. It was currently under the guard of royal marines Mullroy and Murrtog. Jack was approached by the marines as he came for the *Interceptor*. They told him that they had been left to guard the area from civilians. Sparrow was ultimately able to learn that the *Dauntless* was the true power of the ocean, however no ship could match the speed of the *Interceptor*. Sparrow was able to distract both of the marines with idle conversation about the *Black Pearl*. While they argued about the existence of the ship, Sparrow boarded the *Interceptor* and prepared to set out. The two marines however realized their deception, sprinting aboard the *Interceptor* to detain Jack Sparrow. They asked about Sparrow's business in Port Royal, to which he replied that he had intended to commandeer the *Interceptor* that he would take to Tortuga and create a crew with which he would plunder and pillage, knowing that they would likely not believe him even if he told them the truth. While further enchanting the marines with stories of exploration, this was the moment that Swann hit the water beside them, having fallen from the Fort above the harbor.

##### Skirmish Across the Harbor

As Elizabeth sank, the golden chain she was wearing, a part of the Aztec Treasure of Cortés, touched the water, causing it to react and send out a pulse through the ocean, something that would lead the cursed crew of Hector Barbossa to the gold as they searched the sea to find the gold that had cursed them. Jack Sparrow, learning that neither of the marines could swim, leapt into the water in rescue of Elizabeth Swann. Port Royal was immediately descended upon by fog and cold winds, now a target for the crew of the *Black Pearl*. James Norrington and a contingent of Royal Marines followed him down to the harbor to find Jack Sparrow having rescued Elizabeth Swann. After she came to and starting breathing, Jack spied the Aztec treasure around her neck. He picked it up, asking where she had found this gold. She did not have time to answer before James Norrington arrived, threatening Jack. Weatherby ordered that Jack be shot, however Elizabeth protested, calling Jack her rescuer. James used a handshake to trick Jack, and pull up his sleeve, revealing a branding from the Eastern India Trading Company to confirm that he was a pirate. James took stock of Sparrow's inventory, coming to see Jack as the worst pirate ever.

Jack was caught in iron shackles, condemned to be hung. Almost immediately as the chains were locked around his wrists, Jack sprung into action, grabbing Elizabeth Swann and using her as protection against Norrington's men. He demanded his effects be returned to him. After he was reunited with his pistol, hat and personal effects, he released Elizabeth, running away. He was able to trigger a rope mechanism, launching himself into the air and flying away from the royal marines who quickly opened fire on the pirate. He was able to miss all the gunfire, leaping down and escaping the harbor. James Norrington ordered a dawn hanging for Jack Sparrow, and a hunt was started through the town to find Sparrow, lead by Gillette.

## Aftermath

##### Duel with Will Turner

Jack had fled into the town where he sought shelter in the blacksmith's shop where he could find tools with which the break the chains that held his hands. He entered the shop, finding John Brown passed out in an alcohol induced sleep. He decided to continue, taking a blacksmith tool and hitting at his chains over an anvil, trying to break the chain. He was successful, breaking himself free. Moments after however, Will entered the blacksmiths shop. Jack hid from Will, watching him as he searched the shop making sure everything was in order. As will found Jack's hat, about to pick it up, Jack revealed himself to Will, holding him at the end of his sword. Will grabbed a sword of his own, challenging Jack to a duel. Jack saw the duel as sport, testing Will's combat skills. When his fun was satisfied, Jack turned to leave towards to door. Not wanting to let the pirate escape, Will threw his blade at Jack so that it landed in the door right next to the pirate's head. Jack returned to Will, reproducing his own sword, stating that Will was between him and his way out, and now he had no weapon. In response, Will grabbed a burning iron rod, using it to fight back against Jack. The pair dueled throughout the blacksmith shop, sparks flying as their metal connected. The fight took them into the rafters of the building as they launched themselves on a counterweight into the wooden beams. Their duel became a balancing act that ended in Jack Sparrow being disarmed. He leapt down, taking a bag full of soot and throwing it at Will, using the time that Will was stunned to take aim with his pistol. Not wanting to waste the shot he had saved for Hector Barbossa, Jack pleaded for Will to move out of the way of his exit. Before he could do so however, John Brown had awoken, smashing his bottle into the back of Jack's head, knocking him unconscious. At that time, Commodore Norrington and his men entered the blacksmiths, capturing and arresting Jack Sparrow, stating this as the day Jack Sparrow almost escaped. Jack was taken to a cell in Port Royal, where he remained.

Jack was never hung, being released from his cell the next day by Will, who sought the pirates help in rescuing Elizabeth Swann who had been kidnapped in the Attack on Port Royal that had occurred overnight by the crew of the *Black Pearl*.

## Appearances

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl