Pirates Weekend Plymouth Landlubber learning: famous pirates - blackbeard Real name: Edward Teach Nickname: Blackbeard, as his enormous black beard covered nearly all of his face and he apparently used to put lighted matches under his hat! born: Bristol around 1680 died: 22nd November1718 Ship name: Queen Anne’s Revenge Interesting fact: Blackbeard had 14 wives, most likely from various different ports! Disappointing fact: Blackbeard and many other pirates probably never buried any treasure. Yo ho it’s a pirates life for blackbeard He began his ‘pirate’ life by becoming a Quartermaster, which was the person in charge of many things such as discipline and stores on board a ship. The Captain of this ship was called Benjamin Hornigold, and as a Privateer he was legally sanctioned by the monarchy to loot and plunder certain merchant ships such as those of the Spanish or French fleet. Blackbeard later became an ‘illegal’ pirate, which meant that he looted any ships he wished to, without permission of the Monarchy. He started this in1717 but was only active for 2 years until1719. He captured a French vessel called La Concorde, converted her to a 40 gun warship and renamed her the Queen Anne’s Revenge. He sailed to South Carolina, where he blockaded the port of Charleston, demanding they provide him with medicine, rather than silver of gold! This is believed to be because he needed it to keep his ship running, as a sick crew would not be able to perform their duties! He then sailed to North Carolina where he laid low for a few months but was later killed in a battle with the English Navy. He was killed by Lieutenant Robert Maynard and it is said he was beheaded and they fixed his head to the Bowsprit of his ship! This was during what was referred to as the ‘Golden Years of Piracy’ which only ran for a few more years after his death. .