Many bloodthirsty pirates got their moment of glory during the Golden Age of Piracy, but Blackbeard can rightly be considered the most infamous. His unique appearance, behavior, and lifestyle forever enshrined the concept of a pirate in popular culture. Many aspects of his life are still not known for sure and are a topic for scientific historical and genealogical research. According to Butler, “Nothing of certainty is known about his parentage, his birthplace, or even his name.” (29). Edward Teach can genuinely be called the face of that era. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the secret identity of Blackbeard and facts known about him.
One of the greatest secrets of Edward Teach’s life is his birthplace and the years of his early life. Early researches and sources indicated that the homeland of the legendary pirate is Jamaica. According to Butler, “in his first edition, Johnson had Edward Thatch, a native of Jamaica.” (29). More recent studies suggest that Edward Teach was a native of Bristol. According to Buckley and Who HQ, “the man who became Blackbeard might have been born in Bristol, on the southwest coast of England, around the year 1680.” (5). Even the authenticity of his real name is also unclear and doubtful. It is well known that pirates liked to take pseudonyms based on their surroundings. Even now, professional historians and ordinary amateurs explore the records of the vibrant life of this mysterious and dangerous person.
Even for his time, Blackbeard stood out and had an unusual appearance. According to his alias, he had an incredibly long and dark beard. Another distinguishing feature of the pirate was his odd choice of clothing. According to Brooks, “he dressed colorfully, with a flair for the dramatic.” (136). Fighting style and behavior in the battle of Blackbeard were also unique. He always went into battle with a pair of blades, several muskets, and lots of knives. The most exciting feature of Edward Teach was his ability to instill fear and horror using smoke. According to Gagne, “he lit length of hemp robe dipped in lime and saltpeter which he positioned under his hat.” (9). There is also a theory that he set his beard on fire. Blackbeard was undoubtedly an experienced fighter, knowledgeable about the psychology of battle, but he was also an excellent sailor.
During his pirate life, he managed to become a real threat to the Caribbean region and the Carolina Coast. On his account, there are about fifty robbed vessels and many ruined lives. Many of these vessels capitulated on their own accord as soon as they saw Queen Anne’s Revenge. It was the personal ship of Edward Teach, and it was the most armed pirate vessel in human history. According to Gagne, “he commanded a 40-gun warship he called Queen Anne’s Revenge.” (10). Blackbeard was also able to assemble a small filibuster army of several hundred people and several ships. According to Kingtide, “Blackbeard’s crew totaled at least three hundred and fifty men, and the number of ships in fleet vary from two to five.” (31). The secret to his success was that Edward never remained in one place for a long time. In the end, the government appointed a reward for his head, and state bounty hunters killed him in 1718. Blackbeard left behind many treasures and even more myths about himself and pirates in general.
Myths regarding hidden gold and jewelry, as well as the personality of Blackbeard, are still the subject of debate and research. Many people tried to find these treasures left in the Caribbean caves, but the searches were unsuccessful. According to Kingtide, “local legends claiming the notorious pirate frequented caves since the time of his first act of piracy.” (33). These treasures were either found long ago or they did not exist at all. No fewer questions and doubts are caused by the integrity of the generally accepted position on the identity of Edward Teach. Recent studies reveal new facts about the life and character of Blackbeard. According to Brooks, “the image of Blackbeard as a cruel and ruthless villain was largely created by newspaper accounts and A General History of the Pirates.” (135). The truth and fiction about the life of Edward Teach greatly influenced world literature and cinema, creating on the basis of his personality many unique characters.
In an unusual way, Blackbeard was able to leave his mark on world history and culture. He turned from an ordinary person into a living legend during his short life. The unusual appearance of Edward Teach reflected his character and warrior nature. He, with his small fleet, even became a threat to the British state in the region. Legends about the riches stolen by him have survived to this day and still cause interest among treasure hunters. The true story of Edward Teach is still unrevealed and holds many secrets and events. This mixture of facts and conjectures creates such an exciting life story of Edward “Blackbeard” Teach.
Works Cited
Brooks, Baylus C. Quest for Blackbeard: The True Story of Edward Thache and His World. Lulu.com, 2016.
Buckley, James Jr., and Who HQ. Who Was Blackbeard? Penguin, 2015.
Butler, Lindsey S. Pirates, Privateers, and Rebel Raiders of the Carolina Coast. UNC Press Books, 2015.
Gagne, Tammy. Blackbeard (Edward Teach) (Pirates Around the World: Terror on the High Seas). Mitchell Lane Publishers Inc., 2015.
Kingtide, Arthur. Lost Treasures of the Tropical Variety. AEM Publishing, 2015.