Learn about Blackbeard, aka Edward Teach, the famous 18th century pirate who sailed the Atlantic during the Golden Age of Piracy.
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Blackbeard Facts for Kids
- Real name: Edward Teach, or Edward Thatch
- Born c. 1680 in Bristol, England
- Died November 22, 1718, in North Carolina, United States
- Pirated throughout the West Indies and the Eastern Coast of the American Colonies
- The name “Blackbeard” comes from his thick black beard, and his fearsome appearance. He scared his enemies by tying lit fuses under his hat.
Blackbeard Facts Printable
Early Life
- Born c. 1680 in Bristol, England
- Moved to Jamaica and joined the Royal Navy.
Career as a Pirate
- Sailed on privateer ships during Queen Anne’s War.
- Joined the crew of Captain Benjamin Hornigold around 1716. Hornigold place him in command of a sloop.
- Captured a French merchant vessel and renamed her Queen Anne’s Revenge. Equipped the vessel with 40 guns
- Formed an alliance of pirates and blocked the port of Charleston, South Carolina. Ransomed the inhabitants.
- Ran the Queen Anne’s Revenge aground on a sandbar near Beaufort, North Carolina.
- Received a royal pardon and settled in Bath Town, North Carolina. Soon, however, went back to sea.
Death
- Governor Alexander Spotswood of Virginia decided to put an end to his pirating.
- Spotswood arranged a group of soldiers and sailors led by Lieutenant Robert Maynard to capture Blackbeard.
- On November 22, 1718, Maynard’s soldiers fought against Blackbeard’s crew.
- Blackbeard and several of his crew were killed.
- In the battle, Blackbeard had been shot 5 times, and cut 20 times.
- His head was suspended on the bowsprit of Maynard’s ship, so that a reward could be collected.
Additional Information
- It is thought that Blackbeard used his fearful image rather than violence to rob his victims.
- There is no recorded account that he ever harmed or murdered his captives.
Sources
- The General History of Pyrates – 1724
- Blackbeard – Wikipedia