www.pirates-privateers.com

BLACKBEARD, physical and personality character traits

Edward TEACH aka Blackbeard
© Illustrated by Edward Mortelmans
NameEdward TEACH, known as Edward Drummond (a recent discovery shows that his name could be Edward Beard)
NicknameBlackbeard, Teach, Thatch, Thach, Thache, Thatche, Thack, Theach, Tash, Titche, Ned, Drummond
OriginBristol, England, ~1680 Ocracoke, November 22, 1718 (38 years) (a recent discovery shows that he could be born in Beaufort, North Carolina (USA) in 1690)
StatusMarried to 14 women
Stunning blowRavaged the Carolina coast and plundered more than 40 ships
ShipsLe Concorde (Queen Anne's Revenge), ...
PeersIsraël Hands, Ann Bonny, Benjamin Hornigold, Steed Bonnet, Jack Rackam, John Phillips, Charles Vane, Richards
End of careerHe is confronted by Maynard and his army of the Royal Navy, then succumbs to injuries by 20 knives (and 5 gunshots).


Edward Teach is a tall thin man. He is not a macho and poseur as are many characters in 99% of books. Apart from captain Johnson (Daniel Defoe) who tended to romanticize his books no book depicts the imposing stature of Blackbeard.

He wears a very black beard and a layer of fat on his chest. His body is never clean. He smells like sweat mixed with rum and gun powder. His clothes, torn by many fights, are dark and stained with blood and various beverages.
Some captains gave themselves the image of gentlemen dressed in fine rare fabrics, and preferred negotiation. Blackbeard preferred to cultivate the image of fury and a monster. In battle his beard was plaited with tens of mats attached by blood-red ribbons. In battle he used to hang two ignited torches under his hat and hanging beside his face. He did this to terrify his opponents.

Edward Teach is certainly an extraordinary leader. He maintains unparalleled discipline and inspires confidence in his men.
He knows very well how to navigate through all types of conditions, treat his crew, and maintain their moral high.
He has the diplomatic skills to negotiate business with people of high ranks.


Blackbeard, brass statuette

When he's bored, he shoots his own sailors in the dark to observe the impact of bullets on their skin. He justifies this by saying:
« If I did not kill one from time to time, they would eventually no longer know who I am. »

Treasure

After a good heist he would bury his chests in a deserted place with the help of one or two men. He returned to the vessel alone. « They stand guard! », he said. It's true, they stand guard, but only as cadavers, as Blackbeard did not like witnesses.


pirate animation

He refused to give the location of treasures: « Only the devil and I know the whereabouts of my treasure, and the one of us who lives the longest should take it all. »


Other topics about Blackbeard:
» Blackbeard (Edward Teach) the pirate
» Blackbeard the pirate, character traits
Questions about Blackbeard:
» I would like to know all the names of a pirate or privateer crew from captain to sailors
» Who is the pirate who collected the most balls and injuries?
» Other questions / answers referring to Blackbeard.






:: MENU ::

Home | Definitions | Pirate flag | Pirates movies | Tortures | Pirates on video games | 85 biographies
Glossaries:   Ships
Fun:   Talk Like a Pirate Day  |  Seamen's geolocalisation
Interactivity:   Ask your questions  |  Guestbook
Others:   Site map  |  Links
Author's area: Gallery of paintings | Make a donation | Author's site (fr) | Contact |
Follow Scummers7Seas on Twitter
Made with ♥ by Alain Decayeux - Copyright © 2006-2024 - ALL RIGHT RESERVED   -   Site map   ~   Pirates & Corsaires, Ecumeurs des Sept Mers French version  -   RSS Questions/Answers pirates and privateers