Blackbeard: Myths About The Infamous Pirate Who Was (Almost) Impossible To Kill

By | November 12, 2019

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Circa 1715, Captain Edward Teach (1680--1718), better known as Blackbeard, was a pirate who plundered the coasts of the West Indies, North Carolina, and Virginia. Source: (denver.cbslocal.com)

Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, was one of the most feared reavers in the Caribbean and east coast of North America during the golden age of piracy. Naturally, many of Blackbeard's myths were exaggerated, but the facts remain that he was menacing criminal. He was rumored to be impossible to kill---and it did take some effort---but all men must die, and he met his end on November 22, 1718. Let's take a look at the notorious life, brutal death, and many myths of Blackbeard, the pirate who plundered the West Indies.

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Blackbeard's real name was Edward Teach. Source: (smithsonianmag.com)

The Pirate Life

Much of Edward Teach's early life and background has been lost to history, but we do know that his pirating operation was headquartered in the West Indies as early as 1716. He may have been a crew member working for other pirates while he earned his chops, but sometime around 1717, Teach captured a French merchant vessel that he renamed Queen Anne's Revenge and outfitted with guns and cannons. He later added more ships to his fleet, established a formidable reputation, and formed an alliance between other pirates. Within a relatively short period in pirate time, he became the lord of the sea.