HEXA’s Zindabazar

The Story of Blackbeard

The history of piracy has been a subject of interest for centuries,

and continues to intrigue researchers to this day. The story of
Blackbeard comes with many gaps, especially with regards to his
early life. The exactly date of birth of the notorious pirate is
unknown, but it is believed that he died in his mid to late thirties.
Variations to his name were found through research, and he has
been identified as Edward Teach, although the spelling of his name
is uncertain. Due to lack of education and employment
opportunities, piracy was an option for people to take control over
their destiny. Their lives may be shorter as pirates, but more
prosperous, with some types of pirates taking over merchant ships.
Because of those actions, it was common practice for pirates to use
a pseudonym when committing acts of piracy. It is therefore very
likely that his real name shall remain unknown.

When thinking of pirates, one might think of heroes of oceans and

seas, chasing freedom and treasure chests. While some pirates
were allured by the concept of liberty that came with piracy, such
representation of pirates is romanticized and misrepresentative, as
the term ‘pirates’ largely refers to any renegade or non-national
entities operating on the high seas. For instance, some were
‘privateers’, hired by governments to use warships and attack
enemies during battle. Others were ‘buccaneers’, who were
specialized privateers often semi employed by the British to prey
on Spanish vessels. And then there were pirates who operated
independently. Though the first mention of Blackbeard was in 1716,
it was believed that he acted as a privateer for the British during
the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-17013).
In 1717, he turned a captured French merchantman into a warship.
The warship was named Queen Anne’s Revenge, and is said to
have been equipped with 40 guns. Blackbeard sailed the
Caribbean and the Atlantic coast of North America alongside a crew
of approximately 300 men. Together they were infamous for
torturing crews and passengers of merchant ships, as well as
stealing their cargo. Blackbeard was known for his outstanding
strength, and he promoted an image of himself that would instil fear
in the hearts of other sailors, wrapping slow-burning lighted coils in
his long, black hair and beard. The reputation that pirates like
Blackbeard built for themselves was almost as important as their
actions.

Blackbeard settled in North Carolina, and bribed colonial governor

Charles Eden to ignore any criminal actions. As a result, piracy
became more prominent and uncontrollable in the area. In 1718,
after eighteen months of terror, residents and merchant sailors from
North Carolina turned to lieutenant governor of Virginia, Alexander
Spotswood, for help. Hearing their plea, the lieutenant governor
sent a British naval force to stop Blackbeard, led by Lieutenant
Robert Maynard. Maynard came with two ships, the ‘Ranger’ and
‘Jane’, both of which were quickly fired upon by Blackbeard. When
‘Jane’ began to take damage, Maynard ordered the crew to go
below deck, fooling Blackbeard into thinking they had abandoned
the vessel. When Blackbeard and his men went on deck, they were
surprised by Maynard’s crew. It was tough fight, but after twenty-
five stabs and five gunshots, Blackbeard was finally defeated by
Maynard.
Questions 1 – 8

1. Extensivebackgroundresearchhas led to plenty of information

about Blackbeard’s youth.
2. Despite research, it is not possible to determine how his true
name was spelt.
3. It was not uncommon for pirates to hide their identity with the
use of fake names.
4. Blackbeard was on the Spanish side and provided them his
services during the war.
5. Queen Anne’s Revenge was one of many warships owned by
Blackbeard.
6. Blackbeard was loved by people at sea and in coastal areas.
7. There is documented evidence that Blackbeard had four
children.
8. Lieutenant governor Alexander Spotswood was responsible
for Blackbeard’s death.

Rakinul Haque Choudhury