Blackbeard- Despite his legendary reputation, little is known about the early life of Blackbeard
Blackbeard- Despite his legendary reputation, little is known about the early life of Blackbeard. Even his true name is uncertain, though it is usually given as some variation of Edward Thatch or Teach. He is reported to have served as a privateer during Queen Anne's War (1701 - 1714), and turned to piracy sometime after the war's conclusion. N.C.-based Maritime archaeologist and historian David Moore spent considerable time tracing the history of Blackbeard. The earliest primary source document Moore located that mentions the pirate by name dates to the summer of 1717. Other records indicate that by the fall of 1717 Blackbeard was operating off Delaware and Chesapeake bays in conjunction with two other pirate captains, Benjamin Hornigold and Stede Bonnet. Blackbeard served an apprenticeship under Hornigold before becoming a pirate captain in his own right.He would capture his flagship, The Queen Annes Revenge in 1717 (tomorrows post will be on that ship specifically). After t...