Blackbeard is well known for being the archetypal image of a ruthless, bloodthirsty pirate. His reputation for ruthlessness was legendary in his time and even in our own. Popular culture has seized upon the fantastic, terrifying image of Blackbeard and magnified it greatly, plastering his fearsome countenance on everything from rum to children's toys. And why not? Blackbeard was famed for his savagery, after all. He would place lit cannon fuses under his hat to make himself seem more fearsome, and reportedly shot a sailor in the leg during a game of cards in order to remind his crew of who he was.
Historical Discrepancies
it would seem that his reputation was richly deserved, except for a couple of nagging details. The most important of which is the fact that Blackbeard, in fact, killed very few people. The reports of encounters with the legendary pirate speak of his fearsomeness and savage demeanor, but many of his captives were allowed to go free, terrified and beaten, but often alive. The truth is, there may have been more to Blackbeard's motivations that rape and plunder. In point of fact, these motivations may have been more patriotic than piratical.
The War of Spanish Succession
Many people do not know that before Edward Teach turned to piracy and crafted a fearsome reputation for himself, he served as a privateer under the British flag in the War of Spanish Succession. Captain Charles Johnson in A General History of the Pyrates reports that he distinguished himself for his valor, but did not achieve any significant rank. This war was a conflict between the great powers of Europe who each hoped to skew or maintain the balance of power, based on their alliances. There was a significant colonial component that took the form of a French and Indian war in the American colonies - this conflict was called by the colonists Queen Anne's War. There was also a great deal of skirmishing between privateers and corsairs along the Spanish Main, likely where Teach served. Queen Anne's War ended with a territorial gain by Britain and some lifting of commerce restrictions, but the French did not comply with all aspects of the treaty and both sides were left unsatisfied and looking toward the next conflict.
Queen Anne's Revenge
So what does this have to do with Edward Teach? Just one simple thing: the fact that he named his flagship vessel the Queen Anne's Revenge. This, and the fact that he preferred to craft his reputation theatrically, rather than with a mountain of bodies, as many of his counterparts did, reveal that he may have been attempting to make a political statement, or rail against perceived injustice. His motivations for doing so are unclear, but may reveal some things about the nature of this enigmatic pirate. It is possible that Teach felt slighted for the lack of advancement he received despite his courage and good service during the war. This is supported by his often excessively malicious actons toward colonial authorities. He may have been, like many citizens of the warring nations, unsatisfied with the outcome of the war, and like many political dissidents, turned to piracy.
A Man of Honor Turned Rogue?
Much of this evidence is circumstancial and the reasoning may be excessively speculative, but at the very least, it points to a misrepresentation of the man who became Blackbeard. Does it explain away or excuse his ruthless behavior and sociopathic tendencies? Not at all. But this line of thought may help explain why a man who once served valiantly as a British privateer would sink to such depraved depths.
Source: Daniel Defoe, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, A General History of the Pyrates
Robert Guthrie - Robert is an itinerant writer, reader and academic with a broad range of interests. In addition to writing for Suite 101, he writes for ...
