Getting listed in someone’s Black Book nowadays isn’t a patch on what was written in them during the 1300s. Back then the Black Book of the Admiralty was a list of maritime laws and conduct, the punishment section of which proves very harsh reading indeed. For instance if you were caught repeatedly sleeping during a watch you could face drowning, starvation or, at best, marooning. Other punishments included whipping, clubbing and keel hauling. Blimey!
BLACK BOOK
