PIRATES!!!!!

This month we are studying Pirates in preparation for our trip next week to the theatre.

Here is the story of the most scary pirate of them all, BLACKBEARD!

Read the story and see how much you understand, try to answer the questions below.

The Story of Blackbeard the Pirate

Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, was an English pirate during the Golden Age of Piracy. After serving as a privateer(a person authorized by the government to attack enemy ships at during times of war) .

Attack and Plunder!

In a few short years, Blackbeard gained a bad reputation as he and his crew attacked settlements in the Caribbean Sea and along the Atlantic coast of North America. Blackbeard would attack merchants ship, board them, and steal all of the gold, jewels, coins, food, liquor, and weapons. It was said that Blackbeard’s appearance alone was enough to cause the enemy to surrender, because he was very scary looking. According to legend, Blackbeard would often tie burning fuses to the end of his beard when the enemy was in his presence. 

The Blockade of Charleston Harbor

Blackbeard is perhaps most famous for his legendary blockade of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. In 1718, Blackbeard entered Charleston Harbor in his ship known as Queen Anne’s Revenge with three smaller ships. In one of the vessels, Blackbeard took some people as hostages, who were later ransomed (without their clothes) for a chest full of medicine.

Then, Blackbeard escaped north where he ran three of the ships aground and marooned most of his crew. 

The Dreadful End

Blackbeard finally met his end in November of 1718 after the governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotswood, had placed a bounty on his head. He was killed in a naval battle off of the coast of North Carolina by Robert Maynard. Maynard cut off Blackbeard’s head and hung it on his ship.

In Popular Culture 

Today, Blackbeard is perhaps the most well known of all the pirates. He is referenced in many works of literature including Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, as well as in numerous video games, theme park rides, cartoons, comics, and movies.

1. What was Blackbeard's job before he became a pirate?

2. Which country was he from?

3. How did Blackbeard steal from other ships?

4. What was the name of his famous ship?

5. In what year did he die?

6. In what famous story does the character Blackbeard appear?