A pirates life for meEdward Teach, better known as “Blackbeard” is one of the most well

A pirates life for meEdward Teach, better known as “Blackbeard” is one of the most well known and iconic pirates of the Carribean (not the movie).  When one imagines what a pirate woud look like, Blackbeard would fit the stereotype.  He had long scraggly hair with a huge black beard (leading to his nickname).  He often braided lit matches or fuses in his hair and beard, causing his face to be surrounded in sulfuric smoke and giving himself the appearance of a demon from hell.  In battle he also wore a rediculous amount of pistols, usually 6 or 8, but sometime as many as ten.  There was a practical reason for this, smoothbore flintlock pistols were slow to reload, quick to misfire, and horribly inaccurate.Edward Teach began his career as a privateer working for the English Navy.  A privateer was a licensed pirate contracted to raid enemy ships.  However, peace broke out in the Carribean, and Teach could not make a life as a landlubber.  He became an outlaw and a pirate, recruiting a crew and even capturing a French Navy Frigate he named “Queen Anne’s Revenge”.  For years he raided the Spanish Main, amassing a great fortune in swag and booty and even building a pirate fleet of several ships. In 1718 he blockaded Charleston Bay, South Carolina, raiding all ships that entered port and refusing to leave until the city paid a ransom in gold and medicine (venereal disease treatments).  Finally he had crossed the line and the English crown wanted his head.  Virginia Governor Alexander Spottswood gave 1st Leftenant Robert Maynard command of two sloops, a groups of sailors and marines, and a detachment of Virginia Militia. Blackbeard, in the meantime, had purposely ran his fleet aground in North Carolina and abandoned most of his men, escaping in a sloop with his treasure and his most trusted crewman (pirate downsizing).  On the 21st of November Lt. Maynard found Blackbeards sloop near Ocracoke Island, NC.Blackbeard commenced the battle by firing grape shot from his cannons.  Maynard and his men tricked Blackbeard by hiding in the hold of the ship, and when Blackbeard boarded, his men attacked.  In the heat of the battle Maynard and Blackbeard faced off at last.  Maynard shot Blackbeard in the chest. Blackbeard, barely fazed, drew his one remaining pistol and pulled the trigger.  Luckly the pistol misfired (remember what I said about flintlocks?) and both men drew swords.  With a mighty slash Blackbeard broke Maynards sword.  Before Blackbeard could deal a final blow a marine stabbed him in the back of the neck, killing him instantly.Blackbeards body, upon examination, had be shot five times and cut at least twenty.  He was beheaded and his body was thrown overboard.  His head was placed on a bowsprit and later triumphantly displayed in the streets of Williamsburg, VA by Maynard. Blackbeards head would decorate Gov. Spottswood’s office for several years until he sent it as a gift to King George I.  Despite his success Lt. Robert Maynard would not be promoted or even rewarded for his efforts.  He would later become a Captain in the Royal Navy.Most of Blackbeards treasure was never recovered, and is thought to be buried somewhere along the coast of Carolina.  Blackbeard himself now resides in Davy Jones’ Locker. -- source link

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