The legend of Blackbeard has been told and retold in many different ways. Here some of the actual history of this infamous pirate is revealed.
Perhaps the most infamous pirate in history is that of Blackbeard. His adventures are legendary; he was a cunning and terrifying force to be reckoned with in battle. There isn’t much known about Blackbeard’s life prior to his pirating days but there are many stories that surround him from approximately 1714-1718. Though with all of the mystery that surrounds this beloved pirate but who was the real Blackbeard?
Blackbeard’s real name was Edward Teach, a privateer from Bristol England. During the peace that followed Queen Anne’s war he was left with out work and like so many other privateers of his time he felt there was only one option left for him…Pirating.
Blackbeard’s appearance in the face of his enemies made him quite petrifying; perhaps it is what made him so famous. He is described as being an unusually tall man with a long black beard that he would tie up with black ribbons, from under his hat he would hang slow match which is a type of rope that would burn slowly and he had a number of pistols slung over his shoulders.
Either very brave or very foolish his exploits were great in number and success. He sailed the Caribbean and eastern coast of the United States in a former French slave ship he renamed Queen Anne’s Revenge. One of his most talked about adventures is when he blockaded the port of Charleston blocking all ships from entering or leaving the port. Of course he pillaged any of these ships. Blackbeard took prisoners and sent a message through some of his men to the governor saying that they would not be released until he received much needed medicine for his crew. They told the governor of Providence that if they did not comply with their demands they would kill all of the prisoners. This was something that was not done, prior to this, pirates didn’t take prisoners, sailors of other ships were offered the opportunity to sail with them or were cast away at sea. Just before Blackbeard began killing the prisoners his mates came back with the medicine. Blackbeard was very successful, it has been said that over a two year time period he captured 40 ships. Among the long list of prizes from his exploits was the ship Revenge which had once belonged to fellow pirate Stede Bonnet.
It wasn’t until 1718 that Blackbeard’s career came to an end. Lt. Maynard of the Royal Navy led two sloops to defeat him. Maynard came aboard Blackbeard’s ship where they fought in hand to hand combat. Blackbeard was shot but kept fighting, it wasn’t until one of Maynard’s men hit him on the back of his neck with his pistol did Blackbeard fall. Blackbeard was then decapitated and his head hung on his bowsprit of Maynard’s ship as a trophy. According to myth the headless body of Blackbeard swam around the boat three times before it sank. In death as in life his legend is extraordinary making him the most celebrated pirate.
