See full version: The History of Black Beard; The Most Famous Pirate
In terms of the pirate’s modus operandi, it was well-planned and thought of. Monitoring an incoming vessel’s nationality was the very first objective, following which a similar flag used to be raised in the pirate’s vessel. This ensured that the incoming vessel was fooled till the pirates raised the pirate’s colours and mounted an attack on the unsuspecting crew either forcing them to surrender or be captured.
It can be hoped that the findings aboard the wreck will go a long way in helping enthusiasts in understanding and unravelling the mystery behind the pirate in a better way. [links]
One of the many such privateer-turned-pirates was Benjamin Hornigold of whose crew Edward became a part of in the year 1713. The name Black Beard was however, not initially taken by the pirate but was later assumed as his horrifying pirating activities grew in number. here
Blackbeard entered into a very strategic and shrewd alliance with the North Carolinian governor, Charles Eden. Under the guise of quitting piracy and gaining pardon from the governor, the most famous pirate began an unorthodox Mafiosi type business.
Credits: Jean Leon Gerome Ferris/wikipedia.org [links]
Blackbeard may be the most famous pirate of the 18th century, but for many years, facts about Blackbeard were hard to come by. He left very little behind about his life. But, we do know that he did rely on fear, making himself famous throughout the Atlantic. Those legends still live on today. With thorough research, we can separate facts about Blackbeard from the legends of his infamy.
Though Blackbeard’s legends have lived long after the pirate himself, Captain Blackbeard’s time pillaging vessels was short. [links]
The Blackbeard Pirates’ infamy paled in comparison to the rumors about Captain Blackbeard himself. It's said that in battle he'd light a fuse in his beard on fire, creating such a fearsome image that those who lived to tell the tale couldn’t help but talk about their terrifying encounter with death. here
Before its life as a pirate ship, La Concorde was used by its captains to bring hundreds of captured Africans to Martinique between 1713 and 1717. Its last such voyage began at the infamous port of Whydah (or Juda) in what is today Benin on July 8, 1717. There, they took on a cargo of 516 captive Africans and obtained 20 pounds of gold dust. It took them nearly eight weeks to cross the Atlantic, and 61 captives and 16 crewmen died along the way. more
They met Blackbeard about 100 miles from Martinique. Blackbeard put the enslaved Africans ashore, took on a portion of the crew, and left the officers on a smaller vessel that they renamed the Mauvaise Rencontre (the Bad Encounter). The French took the captive Africans back on board and returned to Martinique. more
Blackbeard promised to slaughter anyone who resisted and to show mercy to those who surrendered peacefully. He and other pirates built their reputations on the acting out of these promises: killing all the resistors in horrible ways but showing mercy to those who did not resist. The survivors lived to spread the stories of mercy and implacable revenge, and expand Blackbeard's fame. [links]
He also sailed with Stede Bonnet, the “Gentleman Pirate” from Barbados. Blackbeard’s First Mate was a man named Israel Hands; Robert Louis Stevenson borrowed the name for his classic novel "Treasure Island." here
Pirate favorites face off against new villains in the latest film of the franchise, which hits theaters May 26.
A quick primer for those unfamiliar with the Pirates films: Based on a Disney theme park ride, the movies take place in a 17th-century setting ruled by the British Empire, the Spanish Empire and the East India Company. The first three films follow the adventures and mysteries of Turner, Elizabeth Swann ( Keira Knightley) and Sparrow in the Caribbean waters. Along the way, the pirates come across curses that need to be broken, treasures that need to be stolen and villains that need to be overthrown. [links]
Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and William Turner (Orlando Bloom) return to sword fighting and rum drinking in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. In the fifth film in Disney's franchise, Sparrow will search for the trident of Poseidon and face off against nemesis Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem ).