Blackbeard
The most terrifying pirate in history
The most terrifying pirate in history and captain of the Queen Anne's Revenge. Possesses the ability to control the sea with sorcery.
Quotes
- If I let you bastards go or let myself be let go, my soul would go straight to hell.
- Only him and the devil know it. The one who lives longest takes the money.
Trivia
- Blackbeard's real name is Edward Teach, sometimes spelled Thatch.
- Legend has it he tucked lit slow matches under his hat during battle.
- Location of his treasure is unknown, and treasure legends lack basis.
- Queen Anne's Revenge ran aground and was abandoned in June 1718.
- Pirate flag design attributed to him (skeleton stabbing heart) is a later invention, not authentic.
- No records of killing prisoners; emphasized terror tactics.
Alternate names
Edward Teach
Edward Thatch
Edward Teach
Edward Thatch
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Male
- Birth year
- circa 1680
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Characterized by a long, lush black beard tied with ribbons and wrapped around the ears. Broad shoulders, wears knee-length boots and a brightly colored velvet coat. During battle, he tucked lit slow matches under his hat and carried multiple pistols at his waist, creating a fearsome appearance.
- Height
- Tall
- Hair color
- Black
- Distinguishing features
-
- Lush black chin beard
- Beard tied with ribbons
- Broad shoulders
- Iconic items
-
- Pistols
- Hat with slow matches
- Velvet long coat
- Knee-length boots
- Queen Anne's Revenge
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Calculating
- Detailed personality
- Not just a brute-force pirate, he employed image strategy and terror, commanding with the consent of his crew. Intimidating toward enemies but no records of harming or killing prisoners. Combined boldness with recklessness, always a strategist who calculated opponents' reactions.
- Keywords
-
- Brave
- Calculating
- Theatrical terror
- Crew-oriented
- Cunning
- Motto
- “If I let you bastards go or let myself be let go, my soul would go straight to hell.”
- Talents
-
- Ship command
- Battle command
- Negotiation
- Psychological warfare
- Naval tactics
- Skills
-
- Piracy
- Swordsmanship
- Firearms handling
- Navigation
- Sorcerous theatrics
- Motivation
- Expansion of pirate influence and acquisition of wealth
- Habits
- Braided beard into tufts tied with ribbons, lit slow matches during battle
History
- Backstory
- Born in Bristol, Kingdom of England (estimated 1680), built career as a privateer crewman during Queen Anne's War. Around 1716, moved to New Providence Island and served under Benjamin Hornigold. After Hornigold's retirement, took command of the pirate crew, leading multiple ships in raids in the southern Atlantic. In 1717, captured the French merchant ship La Concorde and renamed it Queen Anne's Revenge as flagship. In 1718, blockaded Charleston harbor in Carolina colony, gaining infamy, but in June that year Queen Anne's Revenge and other ships ran aground, shrinking the crew. Shortly after received pardon in North Carolina but returned to piracy. Killed in fierce battle against British fleet on November 22.
- Debut date
- circa 1716
- Work title
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Media type
- Movie
Capture of La Concorde
- Significant event
- Capture of La Concorde
- Description
- November 28, 1717, captured the large French merchant ship La Concorde and renamed it flagship Queen Anne's Revenge.
Charleston Harbor Blockade
- Significant event
- Charleston Harbor Blockade
- Description
- May 1718, blockaded Charleston harbor in Carolina colony, taking hostages and gaining notoriety.
Queen Anne's Revenge Grounding
- Significant event
- Queen Anne's Revenge Grounding
- Description
- June 1718, Queen Anne's Revenge and allied ships ran aground in Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina.
Received Pardon
- Significant event
- Received Pardon
- Description
- June 1718, received royal pardon from North Carolina governor, settled in Bath town.
Final Battle and Death
- Significant event
- Final Battle and Death
- Description
- November 22, 1718, defeated in fierce battle against British fleet unit, head severed.
Relationships
Benjamin Hornigold
Mentor
Around 1716, accepted Teach and supported start of piracy career.
Stede Bonnet
Teammate
In 1717, took over Stede Bonnet's pirate crew.
Charles Vane
Ally
Active together in North Carolina, became pirate comrades.
Robert Maynard
Rival
Faced in final battle on November 22, 1718, and defeated.
Blackbeard's Crew
Blackbeard's Crew: leader
Media appearances
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Movie / Supporting
2003 theatrical release
Crossbones
Series / Protagonist
2014 TV series
Black Sails
Series / Supporting
2016-2017 TV series
Our Flag Means Death
Series / Supporting
2022- TV series
Blackbeard
Movie / Protagonist
2006 miniseries
Voice cast and creators
John Malkovich
- Voice actor
- John Malkovich
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- Crossbones
Ray Stevenson
- Voice actor
- Ray Stevenson
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- Black Sails Seasons 3-4
Taika Waititi
- Voice actor
- Taika Waititi
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- Our Flag Means Death
Captain Charles Johnson (pseudonym)
- Creator name
- Captain Charles Johnson (pseudonym)
- Role
- Original author
unknown
- Creator name
- unknown
- Role
- Writer
unknown
- Creator name
- unknown
- Role
- Publisher
Related goods
Queen Anne's Revenge Figure
- Item name
- Queen Anne's Revenge Figure
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
Pirate Blackbeard Costume
- Item name
- Pirate Blackbeard Costume
- Category
- Apparel
- Availability
- Limited