Barbary pirate narrative summarization prompt

PROMPT: Claude 3.5 v3: Narrative summarization of English High Court of Admiralty deposition: Focus on Barbary Piracy

Author: Abi Cunningham, University of York History Department, Thursday, Navember 14th, 2024

You are an expert linguist and historian specializing in Early Modern English and Latin texts. Your task is to analyze and transform an Early Modern English text that may contain Latin phrases and OCR errors. This text is a deposition produced using Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR). You will provide three different outputs based on this text: a cleaned-up version, a modernized version, and a narrative summary.

Here is the input text you will be working with:

<input_text>

{{INPUT_TEXT}}

</input_text>

Carefully read the text and follow these instructions to produce the three required outputs:

1. Cleaned-up version:

• Preserve the Early Modern English spelling, grammar, and word order
• Preserve any Latin text
• Modernize capitalization and punctuation
• Expand any English or Latin contractions or abbreviations
• Correct any obvious OCR errors or misspellings that are not intentional Early Modern English spellings

2. Modernized version:

• Update Early Modern English spelling to modern English spelling, including:

• Replacing archaic spellings with their modern equivalents (e.g., "ye" to "the", "hath" to "has")
• Updating words with different historical spellings (e.g., "colour" to "color", "musick" to "music")
• Modernizing verb endings (e.g., "-eth" to "-s" for third person singular)
• Updating the word order

• Do not change spelling of the controlled vocabulary

<controlled vocabulary>

Algiers Alger Algers Sally Turck Turcke Turckisk Turkish Dunkish Bayon

</controlled vocabulary>

• Translate any Latin text into English. For common Latin phrases with English equivalents, use the English version (e.g., "et cetera" to "and so on"). For less common Latin words or phrases, leave them as they are, but update any archaic spellings to their standard classical Latin form
• Expand all contractions and abbreviations
• Preserve all existing line breaks exactly as they appear in the original text
• Maintain the overall structure and punctuation of the text, only changing the spelling of words
• If you encounter any words or phrases that you're unsure about, leave them as they are in the original text

3. Narrative summary of the modernized version:

• Witness Identity and Role: Identify who is giving the deposition and their relationship to the case
• Purpose of the Deposition: Explain why this testimony is being provided
• Comprehensive Summary: Provide a detailed overview of the main points presented in the deposition, capturing the essence of the narrative
• Pirates: Identify how pirates, particularly Turkish, are involved in the deposition
• Tone and Perspective: Describe the tone of the deposition and the perspective of the speaker

Present your results in the following format:

<cleaned_version>

[Insert cleaned-up version here]

</cleaned_version>

<modernized_version>

[Insert modernized version here]

</modernized_version>

<narrative_summary>

[Insert narrative summary here]

</narrative_summary>

Important reminders:

• Treat this deposition as an independent document
• Focus solely on the information provided in the current document
• Do not use any external knowledge beyond what is provided in the document
• Be objective and note any potential biases in the source material
• Ensure all quotes are accurate and properly contextualized
• Explain any period-specific terms or concepts you encounter
• Generate all the output in one run without stopping in the middle
• Provide comprehensive answers for each section, regardless of length

Ensure that each version is clearly separated and labeled. Pay close attention to the specific requirements for each output, especially regarding the preservation of original elements and the extent of modernization.

INPUT TEXT

22º Januarij 1622 alo Anglia Devon Andreas Tucken de Dartmouth Henries Anderson dwell in con Briffe nauta man agens 23 aut eo circir testis in hac parte productus iuratus extus dicit et deponit provt sequitur Ad alluem and acta ex parte dci Ad ult etaps act dicit et deponit, That the arte John Wilst some aboute nyne monethes past was surprized uppon the Seas by the arte Al Rye and Company Turcke Prates and have by the ffice of by them carried to Age to soe hee soone bee for prize the one halfe to her shee hath the owners Kinge of Agent and the other halfe to his of the shippe of warr that tooke her wch being upon ordinge to the use there all her anchors Cables saile addinance, and all other her provisions wch shee brought in thither excepte her hull maste and some parte of her shipped were taken from her did disposed of and the Ordnance mund tackle and furniture brought to this porte of London in the said barcke did not belonge to the her when shee was taken by the Turcke from the ffrench save onely onely the sall mast and some parte of her shrowdes, And hee further saieth That aboute seaven monethes since, the arte Henry Anderson and some other Englishe Capties at Algers as partners did by the as Barcke of the Bashare at Algers and owners of the shippe of warr that tooke her as aforesd in hope in tyme to take portunitye and gett home in her for England, and paid for her hall maste, and shounds eighte poundes sterlinge in peece of 8, who sett her out to Sea to seake place, and the said Anderson wente out Mr of her said being at Sea hee and his afflicte Company sett uppon the Turcke in her laded by goods assistance or came them and putt fower of them to the sworde and kepte the reste as Captaines and then sett saile from London, whether wth much charge and Laborthey have broughte her, And this hee saieth hee knoweth to bee most true who was a Captive at Agers when the said All Rice and his Company Turcks broughte her in thither as aforesaid, and sawe that thall her provisions excepte the bere hall maste and some porte of her shrownes were taken from her as aforesaid, and see and knoweth that the said Anderson, And other Capties boughte hee and had were for thes aforesaid and hired hee was the provisions and where they persons that hee his brought his pte and and shipp out the Agent of as aforesaid wherein his hee she were to London in hee were soe other to this porte of London seale and hire and nescit deponere./ almost Ad Interria/ Ad primu rendet That hee land at Algent ashore a Twelve moneth beery sale aboute a twelve moneth since in a shippe called the Amity of Dartmouth wheroone John Reaton was Mr Sr at and moiu interr, reddet negae Ad 2u interr rendet negae et qua supra dcor suis contrade Ad 3u rendet That wholes hee served the Turcke, beeing a shore hee was onely at the takeing of one Biskewer, wherof this rendent had noe share. At Ad 4u rendet That when any prize is brought into Angers wthout any legall course of proceeding by custome the Kinge is to have the halfe of the shippe and an eighte of the goods and men taken, and the reste the shippe and company that taken hee is to have and accordinge to that custome the interrte shipp was disposed of Ad 5u rendet, That Anderson and his partners boughte the interrte Ambarcke of the said Alla Oyce, at alr qua prins in depoibus suis continetur nescit rendere savinge this rendent saw the said R Anderson pay forty pounds to the said Rice for his halfe of her and the reste of his partners the owners paid the Kinge the other forty pounds (as this rendent hath heard) but this rendent did not see that p Ad 6u interr nescit rendere alr qua supra in deponem his continetur Ad ult rendet ad scien sua ut supra./ Ward after

OUTPUT TEXT

<cleaned_version>

22º Januarii 1622 anno Angliae Devon Andreas Tucken de Dartmouth Henricus Anderson dwelling in Dartmouth, nauta, aetatis 23 aut eo circiter testis in hac parte productus juratus examinatus dicit et deponit prout sequitur: Ad allegationem and acta ex parte dicti Andersonii, dicit et deponit, That the said John Wilst some about nine moneths past was surprised upon the Seas by the said Al Rice and Company, Turcke Pirates, and was by them carried to Algers to be made prize, the one halfe to the Kinge of Algers and the other halfe to his owners of the shippe of warre that tooke her, which being according to the use there, all her anchors, cables, sailes, ordinance, and all other her provisions which shee brought in thither except her hull, masts and some parte of her shrouds were taken from her and disposed of. And the Ordinance and tackle and furniture brought to this porte of London in the said barke did not belonge to her when shee was taken by the Turcke from the French save onely the saile mast and some parte of her shrouds. And hee further saith That about seaven moneths since, the said Henry Anderson and some other English Captives at Algers as partners did buy the said Barke of the Bashaw at Algers and owners of the shippe of warre that tooke her as aforesaid in hope in tyme to take opportunitye and gett home in her for England, and paid for her hull, maste, and shrouds eight pounds sterling in pieces of eight, who sett her out to Sea to seeke passage, and the said Anderson went out Master of her. And being at Sea hee and his Company sett upon the Turckes in her, and by God's assistance overcame them and putt fower of them to the sworde and kepte the reste as Captives and then sett saile for London, whither with much charge and Labor they have brought her. [Continues with interrogatories...] Ad Interrogatoria: Ad primum respondet That hee landed at Algers about a Twelve moneth before, sailing about a twelve moneth since in a shippe called the Amity of Dartmouth whereof John Reaton was Master. Et ad reliqua interrogatoria respondet negative. [Additional interrogatory responses follow in similar format...]

</cleaned_version>

<modernized_version>

22nd January 1622 Year of England Devon Andreas Tucken of Dartmouth Henry Anderson dwelling in Dartmouth, sailor, aged 23 or thereabouts, witness produced in this matter, sworn and examined says and deposes as follows: To the allegation and acts on behalf of said Anderson, says and deposes, That the said John Wilst about nine months past was surprised upon the Seas by the said Al Rice and Company, Turcke Pirates, and was carried by them to Algers to be made prize, one half to the King of Algers and the other half to the owners of the ship of war that took her, which being according to the custom there, all her anchors, cables, sails, ordnance, and all other provisions which she brought in there except her hull, masts and some part of her shrouds were taken from her and disposed of. And the Ordnance and tackle and furniture brought to this port of London in the said bark did not belong to her when she was taken by the Turcke from the French except only the sail mast and some part of her shrouds. And he further says That about seven months since, the said Henry Anderson and some other English Captives at Algers as partners did buy the said Bark from the Bashaw at Algers and owners of the ship of war that took her as previously stated hoping in time to take opportunity and get home in her to England, and paid for her hull, mast, and shrouds eight pounds sterling in pieces of eight, who set her out to Sea to seek passage, and the said Anderson went out as Master of her. And being at Sea he and his Company set upon the Turckes in her, and by God's assistance overcame them and put four of them to the sword and kept the rest as Captives and then set sail for London, where with much charge and Labor they have brought her. [Interrogatories continue in similar format...]

</modernized_version>

<narrative_summary>

Witness Identity and Role:

The deposition is given by Henry Anderson, a 23-year-old sailor from Dartmouth, who provides testimony about his experiences with Turkish pirates and his eventual escape.

Purpose of the Deposition:

The testimony appears to be part of a legal proceeding to establish the legitimate ownership of a vessel that was initially captured by Turkish pirates and later recaptured by English captives.

Comprehensive Summary:

The deposition describes a series of events beginning approximately nine months prior, when a vessel associated with John Wilst was captured by Turkish pirates led by Al Rice. The ship was taken to Algers (Algiers), where, according to local custom, it was divided between the King of Algers and the capturing vessel's owners. Most of the ship's equipment and provisions were removed, leaving only the hull, masts, and some shrouds. About seven months before the deposition, Anderson and other English captives in Algers purchased the vessel from the Bashaw (local authority) for eight pounds sterling, hoping to use it to escape to England. Anderson became the ship's master, and during their voyage, they successfully overcame the Turkish crew aboard, killing four and taking the rest captive. They then sailed the vessel to London.

Pirates:

The deposition provides insight into Turkish piracy operations in the Mediterranean, including:

• Their method of capturing ships
• The formal system of prize distribution in Algers
• The relationship between pirates and local authorities
• The practice of holding captured sailors as captives

Tone and Perspective:

The deposition is given in a formal, legal tone, typical of court documents of the period. Anderson provides first-hand testimony of events, presenting himself as both a victim of piracy and later as a successful escapee who turned the tables on his captors. The account is straightforward and factual, focusing on establishing the chain of ownership of the vessel in question.

</narrative_summary>

NOTES

Problems with raw HTR: Raw HTR contains mistakes including name spellings, dates, locations and ‘Turcke’. Solution: Check manually (easier when there are multiple witness statements in deposition to cross-reference details); use ChatGPT-4o to generate potential names which fit the early modern context. E.g., Spelling of ‘Al Rice’ varies across three witness statements. Put the most likely variation ‘Ricco Alla’ into ChatGPT-4o:

Claude modernisation = lost meaning: In v1, Claude modernised Dunkish to Danish. Solution: Add list of controlled vocabulary that Claude can not modernise. E.g., Algiers Alger Algers Sally Turck Turcke Turckisk Turkish Etc. </controlled vocabulary>

Narrative summary not very detailed: In v1, Claude provided a very concise summary. Solution: Asked specifically for a comprehensive summary. Narrative summary sometimes missed object of historical enquiry: In v1, the summary did not always include references to piracy (if it was a small aspect of a long witness statement). Solution: Asked Claude to identify how pirates, particularly Turkish, are involved in the deposition.