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Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, was an English pirate during the Golden Age of Piracy. After serving as a privateer in the British navy, he, like many other privateers, turned to a life of piracy when the War of Spanish Succession ended in 1713. Plunder!In a few short years, Blackbeard gained a notorious reputation as he and his crew attacked settlements in the Caribbean Sea and along the Atlantic Coast of North America. Blackbeard would plunder merchant ships, board them, and steal all of the gold, jewels, coins, food, liquor, and weapons. It was said that Blackbeard’s appearance alone was enough to cause the enemy to surrender. According to legend, Blackbeard would often tie burning fuses to the end of his beard when the enemy was in his presence. Despite his reputation, there are no accounts of Blackbeard killing or torturing anyone. Blockade of Charleston HarborBlackbeard is perhaps most famous for his legendary blockade of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. In 1718, Blackbeard entered Charleston Harbor in his ship known as Queen Anne’s Revenge with three smaller ships. He proceeded to plunder five merchant ships entering or leaving the harbor. Shipping traffic in the harbor came to a standstill in fear of the pirates. In one of the vessels, Blackbeard took a group of prominent Charleston citizens as hostages, who were later ransomed (without their clothes) for a chest full of medicine. Then, Blackbeard escaped north, where he ran three of the ships aground and marooned most of his crew. Many believe Blackbeard marooned his crew so he could keep a greater portion of the treasure acquired from Charleston. Nevertheless, Blackbeard escaped to North Carolina and accepted a pardon under the royal Act of Grace. The Dreadful EndBlackbeard finally met his end in November of 1718 after the governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotswood, had placed a bounty on his head. He was killed in a naval battle off the coast of North Carolina by Robert Maynard. Maynard cut off Blackbeard’s head and hung it on his ship.
In Popular Culture
Discussion QuestionsEarly LifeEdward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, was an English pirate active during the Golden Age of Piracy in the early 18th century. Originally a privateer in the British navy during the War of Spanish Succession, Blackbeard turned to piracy after the war ended in 1713, like many former privateers seeking fortune. Plunder!Blackbeard quickly became infamous for his raids across the Caribbean and the Atlantic Coast of North America. He attacked merchant ships, stealing treasure, weapons, food, and liquor. His terrifying appearance—complete with burning fuses tied into his beard—was often enough to make enemies surrender without a fight. Despite his fearsome image, no verified accounts exist of him killing or torturing captives. Blockade of Charleston HarborIn 1718, Blackbeard carried out one of his most legendary acts by blockading Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, with his ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, and three smaller vessels. He captured five merchant ships and held several prominent Charleston citizens hostage, ransoming them for a chest of medicine. Afterward, he sailed north, marooned much of his crew—possibly to keep more treasure for himself—and accepted a royal pardon in North Carolina under the Act of Grace. The Dreadful EndBlackbeard’s piracy came to an end in November 1718, when Virginia's governor, Alexander Spotswood, sent naval forces to capture him. In a fierce battle off the coast of North Carolina, Blackbeard was killed by Lieutenant Robert Maynard. His head was cut off and displayed on Maynard’s ship as proof of the pirate’s death. LegacyBlackbeard remains the most famous pirate in history, immortalized in books like Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and countless films, games, and stories. His legend continues to shape modern perceptions of pirate lore. |
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