Blackbeard was the most famous pirates to sail the seas and many myths and some facts colur the legend of him. His real name was Edward Thatch or Edward Teach - he was not always known as Blackbeard, at one time he was merely a lowly man on the pirate ladder under Benjamin Hornigold.Old Hornigold saw his potential and Edward was promoted by him until eventually he was given his own ship. Hornigold pardoned Edward after he became Blackbeard, freeing him to do as he pleased.
Blackbeard knew the importance of an image in his line of work and before battle, he would dress in black, strap several pistols to his chest and don a large black captain’s hat. Then, putting slow burning fuses in his hair and beard, the fuses would sputter and emit smoke which wreathed him in a perpetual greasy fog. He looked like a devil stepped out of hell and onto a pirate ship and his victims simply surrendered their cargo rather than fight him.
Blackbeard intimidated his opponents because it was good business - if they gave up without a fight, he kept their ship and lost fewer men. In 1718, Blackbeard went to North Carolina and accepted a pardon from Governor Charles Eden. He may have wanted to leave piracy behind but his retirement was shortlived. Before long, Blackbeard had struck a deal with the crooked Governor to loot in exchange for protection. Eden helped Blackbeard appear legitimate and Blackbeard shared his bounty. The arrangement benefited both until Blackbeard’s death.
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