Blackbeard History
Table of Contents
When it comes to Blackbeard, history books and documents don’t have nearly enough information to to account for and explain all the various rumors and legends attributed to the well-known pirate. His murderous nature, the fact that he allegedly had fourteen wives, and his famous actions at the blockade of Charleston are only a few of the numerous uncommon and striking historical facts that remain about him. His infamy and his many successes go hand in hand, despite Blackbeard’s treasure being estimated as much smaller than that of other famous pirates from the early 1700s.
Also known as Edward Teach, or Edward Thatch according to some sources, Blackbeard was a notorious English pirate and captain of Queen Anne’s Revenge. Some historical sources place him as a sailor serving aboard privateer ships during Queen Anne’s War. In 1716, he began his notorious streak of piracy acts with the help of Captain Benjamin Hornigold who placed Teach in command of a sloop. After acquiring his own ship, Blackbeard became known as a feared pirate with a distinctive look. He became known for boasting a large black beard and tying lit fuses under his hat, as well as carrying an assortment of guns and blades to frighten his enemies. Blackbeard teamed together with other pirates such as Stede Bonnet, and later formed an entire alliance of pirates whose greatest achievement was a blockade of the port of Charleston, North Carolina.
Accounting for the rise to power of the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard, documents from the early 18th century show him attaining the rank of Commodore in May 1718, only two years after he began his career as a pirate. This is when Teach was at the height of his power and commanded a fleet of pirate ships that proceeded to stop and ransack any vessels that exited the port of Charleston and attempted to sail past the Charleston Bar. After capturing the crew of several ships, Teach’s ransom demands of medical supplies were met by the governor after a considerable show of force displayed by the pirates.
Edward Teach is rumored to have had 14 wives, the last of which being a young 16 year old girl he married in South Carolina. His main acts of piracy involved the seizing and plundering of merchant vessels, and some colorful legends emerged about the pirate’s cruelty. One of them still vivid in popular culture displays Blackbeard shooting one of his crewmen in the knee and uttering the famous phrase “If I didn’t shoot one or two [crewmen] every now and then, they’d forget who I was.” With regard to the death of Blackbeard, history accounts are vague at best, claiming he was killed at the order of Governor Alexander Spotswood, despite having received a pardon.
The Man Behind the Beard
Who was Blackbeard, the man before the myth? Born Edward Teach (or Thatch), his early life is shrouded in as much mystery as his infamous persona. What we do know is that by the time he hoisted his flag, he was set to become a legend.
The Golden Age of Piracy
This was a time when the sea was a highway for riches, ripe for the taking by those daring enough to claim them. Pirates like Blackbeard were the outlaws of the ocean, living and dying by the sword and the compass.
Blackbeard’s Rise to Notoriety
From mere sailor to fearsome pirate, Blackbeard’s climb up the ranks is a tale of cunning and ruthlessness. But what drove a man to choose the pirate’s life? And once chosen, how did he become the figure that would terrorize the Atlantic?
The Queen Anne’s Revenge
Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was as formidable as the man himself. What tales could the timbers of this once-slave ship tell if they could speak?
Myths and Legends of Blackbeard
Did Blackbeard really tie fuses in his beard and light them during battle to look more fearsome? Let’s separate the man from the myth and see what truths lie buried.
The Pirate’s Code
Pirates had their own code of conduct, a strange mix of democracy and tyranny. Did Blackbeard enforce such a code? And if so, what were its tenets?
Blackbeard’s Fearsome Image
Blackbeard’s appearance was no accident. It was a carefully crafted persona designed to strike fear into the hearts of all who saw him. How did this image come to be, and how did it serve him on the high seas?
The Final Battle at Ocracoke
The end came as it does for all men, but Blackbeard’s last stand was the stuff of legend. What happened on that fateful day at Ocracoke Inlet?
The Legacy of Blackbeard
Centuries after his death, Blackbeard’s name still conjures images of the archetypal pirate. How did his story endure, and what has it come to symbolize?
Blackbeard in Popular Culture
From books to movies, Blackbeard’s image is everywhere. How has pop culture shaped and reshaped the image of Blackbeard over the years?
Discoveries and Archaeological Findings
Recent archaeological digs have unearthed artifacts from Blackbeard’s time. What have these findings told us about the man and his era?
The Pirate’s Impact on Maritime Laws
The threat of piracy, epitomized by Blackbeard, led to changes in maritime law that still resonate today. What changes were these, and how did they come about?
Blackbeard’s Treasure: Fact or Fiction?
The legend of Blackbeard’s treasure is a tale that has tantalized treasure hunters for ages. Is there any truth to the tale, or is it just another pirate’s yarn?
The Enduring Fascination with Blackbeard
What is it about Blackbeard that
