Blackbeard


 * //BLACKBEARD//**

Blackbeard was the most famous and one of the most dreaded pirates that ever lived. He was frightening to look at, with his beard twisted and smoking and his extensive arsenal. This included six pistols strapped to his chest, a sword (or two) in his belt, and a couple of daggers. He struck terror into the hearts of many as he sailed around taking whatever he pleased. Today we believe that Blackbeards real name was Edward Teach. He wasn't allways a pirate either. He was once a privateer for the English in a war with Spain. Privateers were people licensed to attack Spanish ships and take whatever they wanted from them. After the war was over, Teach continiued to steal from other ships that he came across. This was illegal, seeing as the war had ended along with his license. Edward then joined a group of Caribbean pirates and soon became the captain of his own ship, //The Queen Anne's Revenge.// Blackbeards reputation grew as he sailed the seas pirating and he struck fear into all those who crossed paths with him. He was one of the most feared men alive. In June,1718, he turned himself in because the English had offered a pardon to all pirates who would do so. He took this opportunity and settled down in a town called Bath. Teach bought a house and was married to his 14th wife. He could not keep from pirating long, however, and returned to the sea in weeks to commit one more act of piracy. On November 22, Blackbeards luck ran out and he was killed by Lt. Maynard and his crew. It took twenty sword wounds and five gunshot wounds to finally bring the infamous pirate down. His death marked the end of the "The Golden Age of Piracy". `