Golden Age Of Piracy Essay

Decent Essays
The Notorious Blackbeard
During the “Golden Age of Piracy” (1689-1718), a man by the name of Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, became known as one of the most notorious, vicious pirates to ever set sail. Teach was born in Bristol, United Kingdom, and went off to sea as a privateer at an early age at the time of Queen Anne’s War. In 1713, he, like many others, turned to piracy. Now referred to as Blackbeard, he captured and defeated many enemy ships, gaining a reputation of violence and cruelty. People from all around began to fear this man as he was starting to become the most vicious pirates of all time. feared him. In 1718, Blackbeard was defeated in battle by Lt. Robert Maynard, thereby ending the Golden Age of Piracy. Blackbeard
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“It was here, off the island of Martinique, that Blackbeard and his fellow pirates captured the French slave ship La Concorde -- a vessel he would keep as his flagship and rename Queen Anne 's Revenge” (Queen Anne’s Revenge Project). It is accurate that Blackbeard came across a French slave ship, but it is not true that they were aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge when it took place. The Queen Anne’s Revenge was actually born from this capturing. Instead of sinking the ship like in the film, Blackbeard decided to keep it as a flagship and would give it the name Queen Anne’s Revenge. Although this piece of historical presentation was false, the scene of Blackbeard becoming the captain was displayed correctly. “However, Captain Hornigold retired from a life of piracy after his crew voted him out the position of captain, leaving Teach to take over”(Blackbeard). This was exactly what took place in the film. Another correctly displayed detail was the raising of the French flag. “The pirates often determined a ship 's nationality first. Then they raised that country 's flag on the pirate ship so they appeared to be friendly. Now able to draw close to the unsuspecting ship, the pirates hoisted Blackbeard 's flag only at the last moment” (Jennifer Kirkpatrick). They displayed this perfectly in the film. They started off by figuring out the nationality of the ship, and as soon as that was done, the French flag was set up …show more content…
Maynard somehow gets mixed up on his mission. While spying on Blackbeard, he was found but decided to act as if he was someone else, trying not to blow his cover. He became drunk when out with the crew, but only woke up to find himself aboard with the notorious Blackbeard himself. Maynard ends up traveling with Blackbeard, earning his trust. This whole displayment was inaccurate. Maynard did not even come in contact with Blackbeard until 1718 at the time of Blackbeard’s death. He was sent off on a ship known as the Pearl to defeat the legend Blackbeard. “In a fierce fight beginning at dawn on November 22, 1718, the British sailors attacked and defeated Blackbeard and his crew. After suffering twenty-five wounds, including five from gunshots, Blackbeard finally died” (The Life and Death of Blackbeard the Pirate). Not once did Maynard ever end up coming aboard with Blackbeard and sailing with his crew. This whole plot line was very inaccurate and false and hardly matched up to the supported facts that took place in the

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