James was born in Great Britain to Lawrence and Mariah Norrington. He came from a long line of military personnel and was expected to follow the family plan. James was an only child, so all of his parents' attention was on him. Lawrence was a conservative man, very rigid and very determined. Mariah was a strong-willed society woman with a sharp tongue. His father raised him like his father before him, in a very strict and harsh manner, to live up to the family name and his full potential. From a young age, James demonstrated extensive leadership skills and academic excellence. He didn't make many friends as a child. It was typical of children in his situation. His family traveled on his father's missions. James was left to his own devices when it came to keeping himself occupied and entertained. He matured quickly while being around elders for most of his life. His parents also did not encourage childish behavior in most settings. When it came to matters of the heart, neither of them left James with the impression that he was loved or cherished by them, especially his father. James couldn't disappoint this man. Every time he had it, it was like someone stabbed him in the heart. A pain he had learned to endure but never completely healed from. He loved and admired the man who raised him, as did his mother. His deepest desire growing up was to become the man they could love unconditionally and still be proud of. As he grew up, he became much like his father in his career. He joined the Navy and rose through the ranks. He left a lasting impression on his superiors. After the death of his father, shortly followed by that of his mother, he was asked to escort Governor Swann to Port Royal in the Caribbean. It was middle of paper... the pressure he would follow. She knew it was a lie and tried to convince him to come with her anyway. His main concern was that she was safe. This was not going to redeem him from the horrible acts he had suffered recently. A single good deed was not enough to redeem the path he had chosen. He knew it was going to end badly for him after making this decision, but at that moment he didn't care. He couldn't be an admiral when he knew deep down that it was all a lie. Before leaving, he kissed her. It was the first and last he shared with her. James pulled the rope leading to Elizabeth's ship when he was stabbed by a deranged Bootstrap, Bill Turner. As he felt the life leaving his body, Davy Jones offered him a deal to serve him, or die next. He responded to the sea devil by stabbing him with the cutlass, a sign of his honor. Rejecting evil, he entered into rest with his pure soul.