- "There you go, miss. It was a difficult day for you, I'm sure."
"I suspected Commodore Norrington would propose, but I must admit I wasn't entirely prepared for it."
"I meant you being threatened by that pirate. Sounds terrifying."
"Oh. Yes, it was terrifying." - ―Estrella and Elizabeth Swann
Estrella was a maid most notably employed to serve Elizabeth Swann, daughter of Governor Weatherby Swann, in a mansion in Port Royal. Along with another uniformed maid, Estrella helped put Elizabeth on a beautiful dress Governor Swann gifted for his daughter to wear during Captain James Norrington's promotion ceremony to commodore. However, due to the tightness of the corset, Elizabeth would faint and fall over the wall of Fort Charles into the water below, initiating a series of events where the infamous pirate Captain Jack Sparrow rescued Elizabeth then threatened her in order to escape, ultimately leading to his arrest. Later that night, Estrella placed a bed-warmer in Elizabeth's bed while the two discussed the day's events, specifically Commodore Norrington's marriage proposal to the governor's daughter. Finally noting suggestively Elizabeth's affection for the young blacksmith Will Turner, rather than Norrington, Estrella left the room. As Port Royal was attacked by the crew of the Black Pearl, captained by Hector Barbossa, the pirates burst into the mansion. As the maid suggested that the pirates came to kidnap the governor's daughter, Elizabeth snapped into action, ordering Estrella to hide and run for the fort at first chance. While the pirates Pintel and Ragetti pursued Elizabeth, Estrella darted into the main room and fled from the mansion.
Biography[]
Life and career[]
- "Miss Swann, they've come to kidnap you!"
"What?"
"You're the governor's daughter." - ―Estrella and Elizabeth Swann
Not much is known of Estrella's early life, only that she lived in the town of Port Royal in the 1720s. At some point prior to 1728, Estrella was employed as a maid serving Governor Weatherby Swann's mansion, caring for his daughter, Elizabeth. Estrella and a fellow uniformed maid presented Elizabeth with a dress, a gift which was the latest fashion in London, according to Governor Swann, and intended to wear during Captain James Norrington's promotion ceremony to commodore. Behind the screen, Estrella was pulling the laces on the corset as tight as they would go. While the dress was beautiful, it was lacking in comfort for Elizabeth. The tightness of this corset would later cause Elizabeth to faint, tumbling off the wall and battlements of Fort Charles into the water below. This initiated a series of events, in which the infamous pirate Captain Jack Sparrow rescued Elizabeth from drowning, then subsequently held the governor's daughter hostage in order to escape, ultimately leading to the pirate's arrest by Commodore Norrington.[1]
Estrella in Elizabeth's bedroom.
Later that night, Estrella removed a bed warmer from the fireplace and slid it between the sheets at the end of Elizabeth Swann's bed, then gently patting the sheets down and making sure the heat was not too much. Estrella and Elizabeth briefly discussed the events of that day—during which Elizabeth had been threatened by the pirate, though got into the subject of Commodore Norrington's earlier marriage proposal to the governor's daughter. Although Elizabeth considered Norrington a fine man any woman should dream of marrying, Estrella raised her eyebrows and leaned closer, noting suggestively Elizabeth's affection for the young blacksmith apprentice Will Turner. "Well, that Will Turner...he's a fine man, too." From the bed, Elizabeth looked up sharply at Estrella for the implication. With a sharp word, Elizabeth sent the maid from the room, saying it was too bold. Estrella apologized and left the room as Elizabeth picked up her book.[1]
During the attack on Port Royal on the same night, the Governor's mansion was besieged by Hector Barbossa's crew of the Black Pearl. As the pirates burst into the mansion, a terrified Elizabeth ran back into her room, locking the door. Estrella was right behind her, looking as terrified as Elizabeth felt. Hiding and whispering, Estrella believed that the pirates came to kidnap Elizabeth, suggesting she was the governor's daughter, and would be very valuable in a trade if captured. The door shook and the knob rattled as Elizabeth pushed Estrella back and out of sight, ordering her to hide and run for the fort the first chance she got. Suddenly, the door gave way as Pintel and Ragetti burst into the room just in time to see the flash of Elizabeth's white robe as she darted into the adjoining room. Following Elizabeth's advice, Estrella breaks cover and ran for the hall, unnoticed. Estrella screamed as she registered the butler's dead body, but continued out the still-open front door at a dead run.[1] Her further fate is unknown.
Personality and traits[]
- "But the Commodore proposed! Fancy that. That's a smart match, miss, if it's not too bold to say."
"It is a smart match. He's a fine man. He's what any woman should dream of marrying."
"Well, that Will Turner...he's a fine man, too."
"That is too bold."
"Beggin' your pardon, miss. It was not my place." - ―Estrella and Elizabeth Swann
Estrella was professionally and personally loyal to Governor Weatherby Swann and his daughter Elizabeth Swann. Serving as a uniformed maid of the Governor's household, Estrella's duties span from tending to Elizabeth's outfits and hairstyles to making the governor's daughter comfortable. Estrella became Elizabeth's friend in addition to keeping her secret of preferring Will Turner over James Norrington.
Behind the scenes[]
- Estrella was portrayed by Paula J. Newman in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
- While the character was not named onscreen, the name "Estrella" came from The Curse of the Black Pearl ending credits. The name "Estrella" also appeared in Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio's first screenplay draft[2] and the film's junior novelization.[3]
- While a character in The Missing Pirate was only referred to as "Elizabeth's maid", it is very likely that Estrella is the character's identity.
Appearances[]
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Missing Pirate
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (First appearance)