Blackbeard was a pirate captain who operated near the eastern coast of the American colonies. His life of piracy started in 1716 and ended with his death in 1718.http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pirates/bbeard.html His real name is believed to be Edward Teach, though some historical documents state that Thatch was his last name.http://www.ncmaritime.org/Blackbeard/default.htm

Blackbeard began his experiences with piracy as a privateer during the War of Spanish Succession. He was stationed at Jamaica during the war and worked for the British. After the war's end in 1713, Blackbeard turned to piracy.http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/blackbeard-shipwreck/bourne-text/2 Blackbeard's exploits as a pirate only lasted a few years. However, by the time of his death, Blackbeard had plundered over fifty ships.http://www.ncmaritime.org/Blackbeard/default.htm

A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates by Captain Charles Johnson states that Blackbeard came from Bristol, England. Other places he is claimed to have possibly originated from include Jamaica, London, and Philadelphia.http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/blackbeard-shipwreck/bourne-text/2http://www.ncmaritime.org/Blackbeard/default.htm

Blackbeard's experience with piracy began during the War of Spanish Succession, which lasted from 1702 to 1713.http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/blackbeard-shipwreck/bourne-text/2 Blackbeard served as a privateer stationed near Jamaica for the British during the war until it ended.http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pirates/bbeard.html Afterwards, he turned to piracy around 1716 with Captain Benjamin Hornigold, who became Blackbeard's mentor.http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/blackbeard-shipwreck/bourne-text/2 Blackbeard became a captain by 1716.http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/blackbeard-shipwreck/bourne-text/2 He stole a large french slaveship and called it Queen Anne's Revenge in 1717.http://www.ncmaritime.org/Blackbeard/default.htm

In the Spring of 1718, Blackbeard initiated a blockade of Charleston, South Carolina. His only demand was medicine for his crew, but he plundered several ships trying to enter and leave the harbor in the process.http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/blackbeard-shipwreck/bourne-text/3 Not long afterwards, Blackbeard received a royal pardon from Governor Charles Eden of North Carolina.http://www.ncmaritime.org/Blackbeard/default.htm

Despite this pardon, Blackbeard was engaged at Ocracoke Inlet by Lieutenant Robert Maynard on November 1718. Maynard had been sent by Governor Alexander Spotswood of Virginia. Blackbeard was killed in the confrontation, having received five bullet wounds and twenty sword wounds.http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/blackbeard-shipwreck/bourne-text/5 Robert Maynard had the head of Blackbeard cut off and hung from the bow of his ship to serve as a warning to other pirates.http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pirates/bbeard.html

Blackbeard's life as a pirate captain only lasted two years. During this time, Blackbeard managed to capture and pillage over fifty ships.http://www.ncmaritime.org/Blackbeard/default.htm By the Spring of 1718, Blackbeard had come to command four ships, including Queen Anne's Revenge. Blackbeard had also gathered a force of around 400 pirates.http://www.ncmaritime.org/Blackbeard/default.htmhttp://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/07/blackbeard-shipwreck/bourne-text/3 Of this amount, Queen Anne's Revenge was able to support a crew of around 250 pirates.http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pirates/bbeard.html