Did you know who Blackbeard was?

What do you understand the word pirate? Are pirates righteous or pickers?. Find out here.

A pirate is someone who commits piracy, someone who tries to capture ships at sea or robs the people on them.

Throughout history, honest men who sail the seas have been in danger from pirates. In the days of the ancient Greek and Roman empires, there were pirates in the Mediterranean and much later in the 8th century, the Vikings from Scandinavian spread terror throughout Western Europe with their small ships with dragons heads carved into the prow. The word 'Viking' means 'pirate' or 'sea rover' in the old Norse language.

The most famous and colourful pirates of all were the pirates of the Spanish Main who were the scourge of the seas around 450 years ago. The Spanish Main was the name given to the coasts of Central and Southern coasts of North America British, French and Dutch pirates flying their 'skull and crossbones' flag, called the Jolly Roger attacked the heavily laden Spanish ships carrying gold and other treasures from the New World back across the Atlantic to Spain.

BLACKBEARD THE COURAGEOUS PIRATE

Blackbeard was the most bloodthirsty of all pirates who sailed the Spanish Main. His real name was Edward Teach but got his nickname from the black beard that reached almost to his waist. He tied coloured ribbons in it when he was dressed to go ashore but in battle he stuck slow-burning matches in it, as well as under the brim of his hat. He was a very big man and the sight of him as he climbed over the side of a ship, wreathed in smoke cutlass in hand and wearing a belt containing six loaded pistols, must have frightened the defending crews out of their wits.

He was killed in 1718 in battle with Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the Royal Navy. Villain though he was ,Blackbeard was courageous to the last, finally fall after receiving not less than twenty-five wounds on his body.