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{{Era|Individuals}}
{{Era|Individuals}}
{{WP-REAL|Blackbeard}}
{{WP-REAL|Blackbeard}}
{{Update|''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag: Blackbeard - The Lost Journal]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' – ''[[Dead Men's Gold]]''}}
{{Update|''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag: Blackbeard - The Lost Journal]]'', and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]] – [[Dead Men's Gold]]''}}
{{Quote|Caution's nothing without charisma! If a man plays the fool, then it's only fools he'll persuade. But appear to be the devil... and all men will submit.|Edward Thatch to Edward Kenway, 1718.|Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag}}
{{Quote|Caution's nothing without charisma! If a man plays the fool, then it's only fools he'll persuade. But appear to be the devil... and all men will submit.|Edward Thatch to Edward Kenway, 1718.|Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag|Diving for Medicines}}
{{Character Infobox
{{Character Infobox
| image = AC4 Edward Thatch.png
| image = AC4 Edward Thatch.png
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'''Edward Thatch''' (c. 1680 – 1718), also known by the alias '''Blackbeard''', was an infamous [[United Kingdom|English]] [[Piracy|pirate]] captain who sailed the [[Caribbean|West Indies]] and the eastern seaboard of the [[United States|American]] colonies during the [[Golden Age of Piracy|early 18th century]], aboard the ship ''[[Queen Anne's Revenge]]'', being one of the most respected crime lords of the time.
'''Edward Thatch''' (c. 1680 – 1718), also known by the alias '''Blackbeard''', was an infamous [[United Kingdom|English]] [[Piracy|pirate]] captain who sailed the [[Caribbean|West Indies]] and the eastern seaboard of the [[United States|American]] colonies during the [[Golden Age of Piracy|early 18th century]], aboard the ship ''[[Queen Anne's Revenge]]'', being one of the most respected crime lords of the time.


In 2013, his [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] were used as an Animi Avatar by the [[Abstergo Entertainment|entertainment branch]] of the [[Templars|Templar]] company [[Abstergo Industries]], to influence the general public via the [[Animus]] game console, under the title of [[Blackbeard (Animi Avatar)|Blackbeard]].
In 2013, his [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] were used as an Animi Avatar under the title of [[Blackbeard (Animi Avatar)|Blackbeard]] by the [[Abstergo Entertainment|entertainment branch]] of the [[Templars|Templar]] company [[Abstergo Industries]], to influence the general public via the [[Animus]] game console.


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Early life===
===Early life===
Edward Thatch was likely born in [[Bristol]], England, in 1680. Little is known of his early years until the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] in 1701, when he served as a [[privateers|privateer]] for the [[Royal Navy]] in the Caribbean.<ref name="Database">''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: Edward "Blackbeard" Thatch]]</ref> During the war, Thatch met [[Benjamin Hornigold]], [[Edward Kenway]] and [[Charles Vane]].<ref name="AC4">''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag''</ref>
Edward Thatch was likely born in [[Bristol]], England, in 1680. Little is known of his early years until the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] in 1701, when he served as a [[privateer]] for the [[Royal Navy]] in the Caribbean.<ref name="Database">''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: Edward "Blackbeard" Thatch]]</ref> During the war, Thatch met [[Benjamin Hornigold]], [[Edward Kenway]],<ref>''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' – [[Now Hiring]]</ref> and [[Charles Vane]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' – [[The Forts]]</ref>


In January 1713, Thatch and his crew came to the rescue of the ''[[Amazon Galley]]'', a [[Ships|ship]] belonging to the [[East India Company]], when it was being boarded by the crew of the ''[[Emperor]]''. The pirates were soon overpowered by the privateers and the soldiers, and only two of them were left alive. [[Blaney]], one of the remaining pirates decided to join Thatch's crew, and asked if he could kill Edward Kenway, the other survivor. Thatch told them to have a [[Fists|fistfight]] instead, with Kenway emerging victorious. However, when Blaney attempted to cheat, he was shot by Thatch, and Kenway was recruited into Thatch's crew.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]''</ref>
In January 1713, Thatch and his crew came to the rescue of the ''[[Amazon Galley]]'', a [[Ships|ship]] belonging to the [[East India Company]], when it was being boarded by the crew of the ''[[Emperor]]''. The pirates were soon overpowered by the privateers and the soldiers, and only two of them were left alive. [[Blaney]], one of the remaining pirates decided to join Thatch's crew, and asked if he could kill Edward Kenway, the other survivor. Thatch told them to have a [[Fists|fistfight]] instead, with Kenway emerging victorious. However, when Blaney attempted to cheat, he was shot by Thatch, and Kenway was recruited into Thatch's crew.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]''</ref>


With the advent of {{Wiki|Peace of Utrecht|peace}} in 1713, Thatch was, like so many other privateers, denounced by his government and left to fend for himself. Eventually he turned to piracy to make his living, serving as Hornigold's quartermaster between 1714 and 1716.<ref name="Database"/>
With the advent of {{Wiki|Peace of Utrecht|peace}} in 1713, Thatch was, like so many other privateers, denounced by his government and left to fend for himself. Eventually he turned to piracy to make his living, serving as Hornigold's quartermaster between 1714 and 1716.<ref name="Database" />


===Piracy===
===Piracy===
{{Dialogue|Kenway|You don't do nothing subtle, do ya, Thatch?|Thatch|Legends ain't born from mildness.|Edward Kenway and Thatch, 1718.|Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag}}
{{Dialogue|Kenway|You don't do nothing subtle, do ya, Thatch?|Thatch|Legends ain't born from mildness.|Edward Kenway and Thatch, 1718.|Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag|Devil's Advocate}}
In 1715, Thatch, Hornigold and [[Mary Read|James Kidd]] met with Edward Kenway in [[Nassau]]. There, the four discussed their plans to free the city of its British garrison and turn it into their very own Pirate Republic. Thatch, with the assistance of Kenway, arranged for the capture and subsequent use of a [[Spanish Navy|Spanish]] [[Man O' War|galleon]], ''[[El Arca del Maestro]]'', as a fortified defense of one of the island's harbors, beaching it on nearby [[Abaco Island]].<ref name="AC4"/>
In 1715, Thatch, Hornigold and [[Mary Read|James Kidd]] met with Edward Kenway in [[Nassau]]. There, the four discussed their plans to free the city of its British garrison and turn it into their very own Pirate Republic. Thatch, with the assistance of Kenway, arranged for the capture and subsequent use of a [[Spanish Navy|Spanish]] [[Man O' War|galleon]], ''[[El Arca del Maestro]]'', as a fortified defense of one of the island's harbors, beaching it on nearby [[Abaco Island]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' – [[Proper Defenses]]</ref>


By 1717, having grown his beard to transform himself into the character of "Blackbeard", Thatch commandeered a ship called the ''Adventure'' - captained by [[Stede Bonnet]] - for himself. Allowing Bonnet to remain aboard as a protégé, Thatch commanded the ship for two months when he captured the [[France|French]] [[Slave ships|slave ship]] ''La Concorde''. Renaming her ''Queen Anne's Revenge'' in honor of the late {{Wiki|Anne, Queen of Great Britain|Queen}}, he armed the [[frigate]] with over forty [[cannons]], thereby becoming one of the most feared pirates in the West Indies.<ref name="AC4"/><ref name="Database"/>
By 1717, having grown his beard to transform himself into the character of "Blackbeard",<ref>''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' – [[The Forts]]</ref> Thatch commandeered a ship called the ''Adventure'' - captained by [[Stede Bonnet]] - for himself. Allowing Bonnet to remain aboard as a protégé, Thatch commanded the ship for two months when he captured the [[France|French]] [[Slave ships|slave ship]] ''La Concorde''. Renaming her ''Queen Anne's Revenge'' in honor of the late {{Wiki|Anne, Queen of Great Britain|Queen}}, he armed the [[frigate]] with over forty [[cannons]], thereby becoming one of the most feared pirates in the West Indies.<ref name="Database" />


In early 1717, Thatch encountered three ships that belonged to his friend, [[Samuel Bellamy]] and his associates, [[Olivier Levasseur]] and [[Alonzo Batilla]] in the [[Grand Bahama]]s. They were engaged in an uneven fight against the ''[[King George]]'', a British Man O'War led by the Templar Captain [[Francis Hume]]. Thatch decided to assist them by firing a broadside into the Man O'War, allowing Batilla to destroy the battered ship by shooting at its weak spots. Leaving as soon as he arrived, Batilla questioned his identity before leaving.<ref name="ACP">''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]''</ref>
In early 1717, Thatch encountered three ships that belonged to his friend, [[Samuel Bellamy]] and his associates, [[Olivier Levasseur]] and [[Alonzo Batilla]] in the [[Grand Bahama]]s. They were engaged in an uneven fight against the ''[[King George (Man O' War)|King George]]'', a British Man O'War led by the Templar Captain [[Francis Hume]]. Thatch decided to assist them by firing a broadside into the Man O'War, allowing Batilla to destroy the battered ship by shooting at its weak spots. Leaving as soon as he arrived, Batilla questioned his identity before leaving.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]'' – [[The Whydah's Secret]]</ref>


Later that year, he met Batilla again at [[La Boca del Diablo]] and informed the pirate about Bellamy's death in a storm and the wreckage of Levasseur's ship, ''[[Le Postillon]]''. The two pirates then sailed to the shipwreck and investigated the site. Batilla discovered the Templars' involvement in the attack and told Thatch about the Templars and their attempt to rule the seas. Before sailing back to Nassau, Thatch informed Batilla of a [[Slavery|slaver]] [[Forts|fort]] where the young pirate might find out more about Levasseur's attackers.<ref name="ACP"/>
Later that year, he met Batilla again at [[La Boca del Diablo]] and informed the pirate about Bellamy's death in a storm and the wreckage of Levasseur's ship, ''[[Le Postillon]]''. The two pirates then sailed to the shipwreck and investigated the site. Batilla discovered the Templars' involvement in the attack and told Thatch about the Templars and their attempt to rule the seas. Before sailing back to Nassau, Thatch informed Batilla of a [[Slavery|slaver]] [[Forts|fort]] where the young pirate might find out more about Levasseur's attackers.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Pirates'' – [[La Boca del Diablo (memory)]]</ref>


At the start of 1718, Thatch once again met with Hornigold and Kenway to discuss the stagnation in growth that had hit Nassau. They determined that the town needed medicines to survive, but that attacking British warships to obtain said medicine was likely to draw too much attention, especially given the Crown's renewed focus on eliminating the pirate threat in the Caribbean.<ref name="AC4"/>
At the start of 1718, Thatch once again met with Hornigold and Kenway to discuss the stagnation in growth that had hit Nassau. They determined that the town needed medicines to survive, but that attacking British warships to obtain said medicine was likely to draw too much attention, especially given the Crown's renewed focus on eliminating the pirate threat in the Caribbean.<ref>''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' – [[Diving for Medicines]]</ref>


Despite these circumstances, Thatch's displeasure with their immediate success, or lack thereof, spurred him into assaulting a British Man O' War to take its medicine supply. He subsequently had to be saved by Kenway, who helped him to capture the ship.<ref name="AC4"/>
Despite these circumstances, Thatch's displeasure with their immediate success, or lack thereof, spurred him into assaulting a British Man O' War to take its medicine supply. He subsequently had to be saved by Kenway, who helped him to capture the ship.<ref>''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' – [[Devil's Advocate]]</ref>


[[File:The Siege of Charles-Towne 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Thatch and his prisoners at Charles-Towne]]
[[File:The Siege of Charles-Towne 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Thatch and his prisoners at Charles-Towne]]
Thatch and Kenway traveled to the British colony at [[Charleston|Charles-Towne]] in order to procure a large amount of medicine, which had been sourced to the town by a box found in the captured Man O' War. By the time Kenway arrived, the ''Queen Anne's Revenge'' had been blockading the town for seven days and had taken several hostages, encouraging Charles-Towne to surrender its medicine. To Thatch's disappointment, there had been no response, and the party he sent to bargain with the governor had not returned.<ref name="AC4"/>
Thatch and Kenway traveled to the British colony at [[Charleston|Charles-Towne]] in order to procure a large amount of medicine, which had been sourced to the town by a box found in the captured Man O' War. By the time Kenway arrived, the ''Queen Anne's Revenge'' had been blockading the town for seven days and had taken several hostages, encouraging Charles-Towne to surrender its medicine. To Thatch's disappointment, there had been no response, and the party he sent to bargain with the governor had not returned.<ref name="SiegeOfCharlesTowne">''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' – [[The Siege of Charles-Towne]]</ref>


With Kenway's arrival, they successfully procured the needed medicine. However, when Kenway suggested they return to Nassau, Thatch declined, saying he would be traveling north for business. Kenway inferred that Thatch had no plans to return to Nassau, which Thatch confirmed, saying that he intended to go into retirement.<ref name="AC4"/>
With Kenway's arrival, they successfully procured the needed medicine. However, when Kenway suggested they return to Nassau, Thatch declined, saying he would be traveling north for business. Kenway inferred that Thatch had no plans to return to Nassau, which Thatch confirmed, saying that he intended to go into retirement.<ref name="SiegeOfCharlesTowne" />


===Death===
===Death===
{{Quote|In a world without gold, we might have been heroes!|Edward Thatch's final words, 1718.|Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag}}Thatch accepted a pardon from {{Wiki|Charles Eden (politician)|Charles Eden}}, governor of [[North Carolina]], but quickly resumed piracy to gather more funds for his retirement. [[Alexander Spotswood]], the governor of [[Virginia (state)|Virginia]], became aware of his continued piracies, and paid Lieutenant [[Robert Maynard]] to get rid of him.<ref name="Database"/>
{{Quote|In a world without gold, we might have been heroes!|Edward Thatch's final words, 1718.|Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag|Do Not Go Gently...}}
Thatch accepted a pardon from {{Wiki|Charles Eden (politician)|Charles Eden}}, governor of [[North Carolina]], but quickly resumed piracy to gather more funds for his retirement. [[Alexander Spotswood]], the governor of [[Virginia (state)|Virginia]], became aware of his continued piracies, and paid Lieutenant [[Robert Maynard]] to get rid of him.<ref name="Database" />


[[File:Do Not Go Gently 9.png|thumb|250px|Thatch fighting the British troops]]
[[File:Do Not Go Gently 9.png|thumb|250px|Thatch fighting the British troops]]
After the blockade of Nassau by British forces, Kenway and Vane tracked Thatch down to [[Ocracoke]] to convince him to return, to no avail. While Vane swore him off, Kenway was more understanding, saying he did not begrudge Thatch his choice. In thanks, Thatch informed him that the [[Sages|Sage]] [[Bartholomew Roberts]] was rumored to be sailing on a slaver ship called the ''[[Princess]]''.<ref name="AC4"/>
After the blockade of Nassau by British forces, Kenway and Vane tracked Thatch down to [[Ocracoke]] to convince him to return, to no avail. While Vane swore him off, Kenway was more understanding, saying he did not begrudge Thatch his choice. In thanks, Thatch informed him that the [[Sage]] [[Bartholomew Roberts]] was rumored to be sailing on a slaver ship called the ''[[Princess]]''.<ref name="DoNotGoGently">''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' – [[Do Not Go Gently...]]</ref>


Later that evening, two Royal Navy vessels under Maynard launched an ambush, destroying the small settlement as well as the ships anchored in the harbor, including the ''Queen Anne's Revenge'', which forced Thatch and Kenway to make their escape aboard the ''[[Jackdaw]]'', the only ship to survive the attack. The two soon realized, however, that they would need to capture the attacking Man O' War in order to leave safely, and subsequently boarded it.<ref name="AC4"/>
Later that evening, two Royal Navy vessels under Maynard launched an ambush, destroying the small settlement as well as the ships anchored in the harbor, including the ''Queen Anne's Revenge'', which forced Thatch and Kenway to make their escape aboard the ''[[Jackdaw]]'', the only ship to survive the attack. The two soon realized, however, that they would need to capture the attacking Man O' War in order to leave safely, and subsequently boarded it.<ref name="DoNotGoGently" />


Despite their best efforts, the pirates were soon overwhelmed; surrounded and outnumbered, Kenway saw that Thatch was in danger and threw him a [[Firearms|pistol]], but Thatch was slain in the back and beheaded after a prolonged and bloody engagement, though Kenway and Vane were able to escape.<ref name="AC4"/>
Despite their best efforts, the pirates were soon overwhelmed; surrounded and outnumbered, Kenway saw that Thatch was in danger and threw him a [[Firearms|pistol]], but Thatch was slain in the back and beheaded after a prolonged and bloody engagement, though Kenway and Vane were able to escape.<ref name="DoNotGoGently" />


==Personality and characteristics==
==Personality and characteristics==
{{Quote|That's some soft talk coming from a pirate. And as it happens... I mostly agree.|Thatch on [[Adéwalé]]'s desire to avoid attacking merchant ships.|Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag}}
{{Quote|That's some soft talk coming from a pirate. And as it happens... I mostly agree.|Thatch on [[Adéwalé]]'s desire to avoid attacking merchant ships.|Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag|Proper Defenses}}
[[File:Diving For Medicines 10.png|thumb|250px|left|Thatch demonstrating his theatrics on Stede Bonnet]]
[[File:Diving For Medicines 10.png|thumb|250px|left|Thatch demonstrating his theatrics on Stede Bonnet]]
Thatch was a warm and avuncular man who despised the corruption of the British bureaucracy and cared deeply about building an independent state for dispossessed privateers like himself in Nassau. Although the Pirate Republic fell into squalor, he went to tremendous lengths to find medicine for his disease-ridden brethren, until the point he felt his age was catching up to him and left.<ref name="AC4"/>
Thatch was a warm and avuncular man who despised the corruption of the British bureaucracy and cared deeply about building an independent state for dispossessed privateers like himself in Nassau. Although the Pirate Republic fell into squalor, he went to tremendous lengths to find medicine for his disease-ridden brethren, until the point he felt his age was catching up to him and left.<ref name="AC4">''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag''</ref>


The demonic persona of Blackbeard was crafted by Thatch to avoid actually using violence to intimidate his enemies. He bolstered his formidable image by performing stunts such as lighting fuses in his hair, pouring gunpowder in his rum, or forcing his crew to work below deck as he burned sulfur to prove he was the hardiest of all of them. He grew out his beard partly to make himself all the more iconic. Thatch was also a very authoritative presence as even in the presence of Edward Kenway and Charles Vane, Kenway admitted there was no question he ruled over Nassau.<ref name="AC4"/>
The demonic persona of Blackbeard was crafted by Thatch to avoid actually using violence to intimidate his enemies. He bolstered his formidable image by performing stunts such as lighting fuses in his hair,<ref name="AC4" /> pouring gunpowder in his rum,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag: Blackbeard – The Lost Journal]]'', p.27</ref> or forcing his crew to work below deck as he burned sulfur to prove he was the hardiest of all of them.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/40580/40580-h/40580-h.htm| title= CHAP. III. Of Captain TEACH, alias BLACK-BEARD.| author=[[Charles Johnson]]| date=14 May, 1724| work={{Wiki|A General History of the Pyrates|A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the most notorious Pyrates}}| publisher={{Wiki|Charles Rivington}}, J. Lacy, and J. Stone {{c|via {{Wiki|Project Gutenberg}}}}| accessdate=20 March 2020}}</ref> He grew out his beard partly to make himself all the more iconic. Thatch was also a very authoritative presence as even in the presence of Edward Kenway and Charles Vane, Kenway admitted there was no question he ruled over Nassau.<ref name="AC4" />


Unfortunately, Thatch's fearsome reputation caught up to him when the British attacked and killed him, just as he was retiring. Thatch also genuinely cared for Edward Kenway treating him as a student and mentoring him in all matters of sailing and piracy, he also tried to discourage him from joining captain Able Bramah's foolish quest for gold, so much so that he once threatened Bramah with a pistol.<ref name="AC4"/>
Unfortunately, Thatch's fearsome reputation caught up to him when the British attacked and killed him, just as he was retiring. Thatch also genuinely cared for Edward Kenway treating him as a student and mentoring him in all matters of sailing and piracy, he also tried to discourage him from joining captain Able Bramah's foolish quest for gold, so much so that he once threatened Bramah with a pistol.<ref name="AC4" />


==Equipment and skills==
==Equipment and skills==
Thatch was a experienced sailor and captain from years as a member of the royal navy as well as a pirate. Thatch was a master of intimidation cultivating an appearance to strike fear into his enemy's so much so that they would rather give up than fight. Thatch was also a highly skilled swordsman besting many members of the royal navy as well as training Edward Kenway into a master swordsman. He was also a skilled marksman once striking a sailor named Blaney square in the forehead to save Kenway's life. Thatch also seemed to have a near inhuman endurance as it was noted that during his final battle he was shot no fewer than five times and suffered twenty cutlass wounds. In terms of equipment Thatch wore duel cutlasses and four to six pistols over his chest, he also carried a dagger on occasion.<ref name="AC4"/>
Thatch was a experienced sailor and captain from years as a member of the royal navy as well as a pirate. Thatch was a master of intimidation cultivating an appearance to strike fear into his enemy's so much so that they would rather give up than fight. Thatch was also a highly skilled swordsman besting many members of the royal navy as well as training Edward Kenway into a master swordsman. He was also a skilled marksman once striking a sailor named Blaney square in the forehead to save Kenway's life. Thatch also seemed to have a near inhuman endurance as it was noted that during his final battle he was shot no fewer than five times and suffered twenty cutlass wounds. In terms of equipment Thatch wore duel cutlasses and four to six pistols over his chest, he also carried a dagger on occasion.<ref name="AC4" />


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Historically, the identity of Thatch's killer was a British lieutenant, later captain of the British Navy named Robert Maynard. While leading the ''HMS Pearl'', Maynard lured Blackbeard into attacking his ship off the coast of North Carolina, and after confronting the pirate in combat was able to kill him. Maynard later put Thatch's head on display, hanging it from the ''Pearl's'' bow.
*Historically, the identity of Thatch's killer was a British lieutenant, later captain of the British Navy named Robert Maynard. While leading ''HMS Pearl'', Maynard lured Blackbeard into attacking his ship off the coast of North Carolina, and after confronting the pirate in combat was able to kill him. Maynard later put Thatch's head on display, hanging it from the ''Pearl's'' bow.
*There was confusion as to Thatch's real surname, with various historical sources spelling his surname as either "Teach, Theach, Tache, Titche, Teatch [or] Tack"; one early source even claims his surname was Drummond. In reference to this, one lieutenant in ''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' refers to him as "Edward Teach".<ref name="AC4"/> The [[Database: Dead Chest Island| database entry]] for [[Dead Chest Island]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' uses the name "Edward Teach".<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''</ref>
*There was confusion as to Thatch's real surname, with various historical sources spelling his surname as either "Teach, Theach, Tache, Titche, Teatch [or] Tack"; one early source even claims his surname was Drummond. In reference to this, one lieutenant in ''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' refers to him as "Edward Teach".<ref name="AC4" /> The database entry for [[Dead Chest Island]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' uses the name "Edward Teach".<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Database: Dead Chest Island]]</ref>
*Following his retirement, Edward Kenway took an Irish bloodhound as a pet, which he named Thatch.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Forsaken]]''</ref>
*Following his retirement, Edward Kenway took an Irish bloodhound as a pet, which he named Thatch.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Forsaken]]'' – 9 December 1735</ref>
*[[Louis-Joseph Gaultier, Chevalier de la Vérendrye]] mentions Thatch, Woodes Rogers and [[Jack Rackham]] in the memory [[Tinker Sailor Soldier Spy|Tinker, Sailor, Soldier Spy]], as the pirates whom Adéwalé had 'rubbed elbows' with.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'', [[Louis-Joseph Gaultier, Chevalier de la Vérendrye]] mentions Thatch, Woodes Rogers, and [[Jack Rackham]] as the pirates with whom Adéwalé had 'rubbed elbows'.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[Tinker Sailor Soldier Spy]]</ref>
*In 2013, Abstergo Entertainment announced the possibility of a stage production, titled ''Blackbeard: The Musical'', to be in the beginning stages of development. This is a reference to a {{Wiki|Blackbeard (musical)|production}} begun in 2008.
*In 2013, Abstergo Entertainment announced the possibility of a stage production, titled ''Blackbeard: The Musical'', to be in the beginning stages of development. This is a reference to a {{Wiki|Blackbeard (musical)|production}} begun in 2008.
*There is a trailer of ''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' where Thatch throws a knife near the neck of John Cockram, who appears to have been captured by him during his last day, but in the game itself, Cockram is not present during Maynard's attack on Thatch's hideout.
*There is a trailer of ''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' where Thatch throws a knife near the neck of John Cockram, who appears to have been captured by him during his last day, but in the game itself, Cockram is not present during Maynard's attack on Thatch's hideout.
*[[Mark Bonnar]] came up with Blackbeard's voice by browsing [http://www.bbc.co.uk/voices BBC Voices] and emulating the voices of older residents from Bristol. He expressed difficulty maintaining the accent, as sometimes he felt he sounded too [[Ireland|Irish]]. He also channeled his portrayal of the ape in a radio version of ''{{Wiki|The Murders in the Rue Morgue}}'' for the character's growls.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aSDSPQUSv0&feature=youtu.be YouTube: The Assassin's Den - ft. Mark Bonnar]</ref>
*[[Mark Bonnar]] came up with Blackbeard's voice by browsing ''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/voices BBC Voices]'' and emulating the voices of older residents from Bristol. He expressed difficulty maintaining the accent, as sometimes he felt he sounded too [[Ireland|Irish]]. He also channeled his portrayal of the ape in a radio version of ''{{Wiki|The Murders in the Rue Morgue}}'' for the character's growls.<ref>{{Youtube|video=7aSDSPQUSv0|text=The Assassin's Den - ft. Mark Bonnar|channel=UCfB8dJdMxEofkcybwAskjqQ|channelname=Loomer}}</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 96: Line 97:


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag: Blackbeard – The Lost Journal]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag: Blackbeard – The Lost Journal]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' – ''[[Dead Men's Gold]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]] – [[Dead Men's Gold]]'' {{Mo}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 14:00, 20 March 2020


Patience, brothers. Soon we will reveal the secrets of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag: Blackbeard - The Lost Journal, and Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – Dead Men's Gold.

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"Caution's nothing without charisma! If a man plays the fool, then it's only fools he'll persuade. But appear to be the devil... and all men will submit."
―Edward Thatch to Edward Kenway, 1718.[src]-[m]

Edward Thatch (c. 1680 – 1718), also known by the alias Blackbeard, was an infamous English pirate captain who sailed the West Indies and the eastern seaboard of the American colonies during the early 18th century, aboard the ship Queen Anne's Revenge, being one of the most respected crime lords of the time.

In 2013, his genetic memories were used as an Animi Avatar under the title of Blackbeard by the entertainment branch of the Templar company Abstergo Industries, to influence the general public via the Animus game console.

Biography

Early life

Edward Thatch was likely born in Bristol, England, in 1680. Little is known of his early years until the War of the Spanish Succession in 1701, when he served as a privateer for the Royal Navy in the Caribbean.[1] During the war, Thatch met Benjamin Hornigold, Edward Kenway,[2] and Charles Vane.[3]

In January 1713, Thatch and his crew came to the rescue of the Amazon Galley, a ship belonging to the East India Company, when it was being boarded by the crew of the Emperor. The pirates were soon overpowered by the privateers and the soldiers, and only two of them were left alive. Blaney, one of the remaining pirates decided to join Thatch's crew, and asked if he could kill Edward Kenway, the other survivor. Thatch told them to have a fistfight instead, with Kenway emerging victorious. However, when Blaney attempted to cheat, he was shot by Thatch, and Kenway was recruited into Thatch's crew.[4]

With the advent of peace in 1713, Thatch was, like so many other privateers, denounced by his government and left to fend for himself. Eventually he turned to piracy to make his living, serving as Hornigold's quartermaster between 1714 and 1716.[1]

Piracy

Kenway: "You don't do nothing subtle, do ya, Thatch?"
Thatch: "Legends ain't born from mildness."
—Edward Kenway and Thatch, 1718.[src]-[m]

In 1715, Thatch, Hornigold and James Kidd met with Edward Kenway in Nassau. There, the four discussed their plans to free the city of its British garrison and turn it into their very own Pirate Republic. Thatch, with the assistance of Kenway, arranged for the capture and subsequent use of a Spanish galleon, El Arca del Maestro, as a fortified defense of one of the island's harbors, beaching it on nearby Abaco Island.[5]

By 1717, having grown his beard to transform himself into the character of "Blackbeard",[6] Thatch commandeered a ship called the Adventure - captained by Stede Bonnet - for himself. Allowing Bonnet to remain aboard as a protégé, Thatch commanded the ship for two months when he captured the French slave ship La Concorde. Renaming her Queen Anne's Revenge in honor of the late Queen, he armed the frigate with over forty cannons, thereby becoming one of the most feared pirates in the West Indies.[1]

In early 1717, Thatch encountered three ships that belonged to his friend, Samuel Bellamy and his associates, Olivier Levasseur and Alonzo Batilla in the Grand Bahamas. They were engaged in an uneven fight against the King George, a British Man O'War led by the Templar Captain Francis Hume. Thatch decided to assist them by firing a broadside into the Man O'War, allowing Batilla to destroy the battered ship by shooting at its weak spots. Leaving as soon as he arrived, Batilla questioned his identity before leaving.[7]

Later that year, he met Batilla again at La Boca del Diablo and informed the pirate about Bellamy's death in a storm and the wreckage of Levasseur's ship, Le Postillon. The two pirates then sailed to the shipwreck and investigated the site. Batilla discovered the Templars' involvement in the attack and told Thatch about the Templars and their attempt to rule the seas. Before sailing back to Nassau, Thatch informed Batilla of a slaver fort where the young pirate might find out more about Levasseur's attackers.[8]

At the start of 1718, Thatch once again met with Hornigold and Kenway to discuss the stagnation in growth that had hit Nassau. They determined that the town needed medicines to survive, but that attacking British warships to obtain said medicine was likely to draw too much attention, especially given the Crown's renewed focus on eliminating the pirate threat in the Caribbean.[9]

Despite these circumstances, Thatch's displeasure with their immediate success, or lack thereof, spurred him into assaulting a British Man O' War to take its medicine supply. He subsequently had to be saved by Kenway, who helped him to capture the ship.[10]

Thatch and his prisoners at Charles-Towne

Thatch and Kenway traveled to the British colony at Charles-Towne in order to procure a large amount of medicine, which had been sourced to the town by a box found in the captured Man O' War. By the time Kenway arrived, the Queen Anne's Revenge had been blockading the town for seven days and had taken several hostages, encouraging Charles-Towne to surrender its medicine. To Thatch's disappointment, there had been no response, and the party he sent to bargain with the governor had not returned.[11]

With Kenway's arrival, they successfully procured the needed medicine. However, when Kenway suggested they return to Nassau, Thatch declined, saying he would be traveling north for business. Kenway inferred that Thatch had no plans to return to Nassau, which Thatch confirmed, saying that he intended to go into retirement.[11]

Death

"In a world without gold, we might have been heroes!"
―Edward Thatch's final words, 1718.[src]-[m]

Thatch accepted a pardon from Charles Eden, governor of North Carolina, but quickly resumed piracy to gather more funds for his retirement. Alexander Spotswood, the governor of Virginia, became aware of his continued piracies, and paid Lieutenant Robert Maynard to get rid of him.[1]

Thatch fighting the British troops

After the blockade of Nassau by British forces, Kenway and Vane tracked Thatch down to Ocracoke to convince him to return, to no avail. While Vane swore him off, Kenway was more understanding, saying he did not begrudge Thatch his choice. In thanks, Thatch informed him that the Sage Bartholomew Roberts was rumored to be sailing on a slaver ship called the Princess.[12]

Later that evening, two Royal Navy vessels under Maynard launched an ambush, destroying the small settlement as well as the ships anchored in the harbor, including the Queen Anne's Revenge, which forced Thatch and Kenway to make their escape aboard the Jackdaw, the only ship to survive the attack. The two soon realized, however, that they would need to capture the attacking Man O' War in order to leave safely, and subsequently boarded it.[12]

Despite their best efforts, the pirates were soon overwhelmed; surrounded and outnumbered, Kenway saw that Thatch was in danger and threw him a pistol, but Thatch was slain in the back and beheaded after a prolonged and bloody engagement, though Kenway and Vane were able to escape.[12]

Personality and characteristics

"That's some soft talk coming from a pirate. And as it happens... I mostly agree."
―Thatch on Adéwalé's desire to avoid attacking merchant ships.[src]-[m]
Thatch demonstrating his theatrics on Stede Bonnet

Thatch was a warm and avuncular man who despised the corruption of the British bureaucracy and cared deeply about building an independent state for dispossessed privateers like himself in Nassau. Although the Pirate Republic fell into squalor, he went to tremendous lengths to find medicine for his disease-ridden brethren, until the point he felt his age was catching up to him and left.[13]

The demonic persona of Blackbeard was crafted by Thatch to avoid actually using violence to intimidate his enemies. He bolstered his formidable image by performing stunts such as lighting fuses in his hair,[13] pouring gunpowder in his rum,[14] or forcing his crew to work below deck as he burned sulfur to prove he was the hardiest of all of them.[15] He grew out his beard partly to make himself all the more iconic. Thatch was also a very authoritative presence as even in the presence of Edward Kenway and Charles Vane, Kenway admitted there was no question he ruled over Nassau.[13]

Unfortunately, Thatch's fearsome reputation caught up to him when the British attacked and killed him, just as he was retiring. Thatch also genuinely cared for Edward Kenway treating him as a student and mentoring him in all matters of sailing and piracy, he also tried to discourage him from joining captain Able Bramah's foolish quest for gold, so much so that he once threatened Bramah with a pistol.[13]

Equipment and skills

Thatch was a experienced sailor and captain from years as a member of the royal navy as well as a pirate. Thatch was a master of intimidation cultivating an appearance to strike fear into his enemy's so much so that they would rather give up than fight. Thatch was also a highly skilled swordsman besting many members of the royal navy as well as training Edward Kenway into a master swordsman. He was also a skilled marksman once striking a sailor named Blaney square in the forehead to save Kenway's life. Thatch also seemed to have a near inhuman endurance as it was noted that during his final battle he was shot no fewer than five times and suffered twenty cutlass wounds. In terms of equipment Thatch wore duel cutlasses and four to six pistols over his chest, he also carried a dagger on occasion.[13]

Trivia

  • Historically, the identity of Thatch's killer was a British lieutenant, later captain of the British Navy named Robert Maynard. While leading HMS Pearl, Maynard lured Blackbeard into attacking his ship off the coast of North Carolina, and after confronting the pirate in combat was able to kill him. Maynard later put Thatch's head on display, hanging it from the Pearl's bow.
  • There was confusion as to Thatch's real surname, with various historical sources spelling his surname as either "Teach, Theach, Tache, Titche, Teatch [or] Tack"; one early source even claims his surname was Drummond. In reference to this, one lieutenant in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag refers to him as "Edward Teach".[13] The database entry for Dead Chest Island in Assassin's Creed III uses the name "Edward Teach".[16]
  • Following his retirement, Edward Kenway took an Irish bloodhound as a pet, which he named Thatch.[17]
  • In Assassin's Creed: Rogue, Louis-Joseph Gaultier, Chevalier de la Vérendrye mentions Thatch, Woodes Rogers, and Jack Rackham as the pirates with whom Adéwalé had 'rubbed elbows'.[18]
  • In 2013, Abstergo Entertainment announced the possibility of a stage production, titled Blackbeard: The Musical, to be in the beginning stages of development. This is a reference to a production begun in 2008.
  • There is a trailer of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag where Thatch throws a knife near the neck of John Cockram, who appears to have been captured by him during his last day, but in the game itself, Cockram is not present during Maynard's attack on Thatch's hideout.
  • Mark Bonnar came up with Blackbeard's voice by browsing BBC Voices and emulating the voices of older residents from Bristol. He expressed difficulty maintaining the accent, as sometimes he felt he sounded too Irish. He also channeled his portrayal of the ape in a radio version of The Murders in the Rue Morgue for the character's growls.[19]

Gallery

  • Concept art of Blackbeard
    Concept art of Blackbeard
  • Rear concept of Blackbeard
    Rear concept of Blackbeard
  • Edward Thatch's pirate flag
    Edward Thatch's pirate flag
  • Thatch as he appears in Assassin's Creed: Pirates
    Thatch as he appears in Assassin's Creed: Pirates
  • A painting of Thatch's final moments
    A painting of Thatch's final moments
  • Thatch screaming at a British soldier
    Thatch screaming at a British soldier
  • Hornigold, Thatch and Kenway at Old Avery
    Hornigold, Thatch and Kenway at Old Avery
  • Thatch, Edward and Hornigold on Nassau's beach
    Thatch, Edward and Hornigold on Nassau's beach
  • Thatch and the others in Salt Key
    Thatch and the others in Salt Key
  • Thatch telling others about El Arca Del Maestro
    Thatch telling others about El Arca Del Maestro
  • Thatch meeting Rackham and Vane at Old Avery
    Thatch meeting Rackham and Vane at Old Avery
  • Thatch arguing with Vane over the king's pardon
    Thatch arguing with Vane over the king's pardon
  • Edward meeting with Thatch in the Caribbean
    Edward meeting with Thatch in the Caribbean
  • Thatch putting his fiery hat on
    Thatch putting his fiery hat on
  • Thatch talking with the dying British captain
    Thatch talking with the dying British captain
  • Thatch speaking to the hostages
    Thatch speaking to the hostages
  • Thatch with Kenway in Ocracoke
    Thatch with Kenway in Ocracoke
  • The soldiers killing Thatch
    The soldiers killing Thatch

Appearances

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – Database: Edward "Blackbeard" Thatch
  2. ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – Now Hiring
  3. ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – The Forts
  4. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Black Flag
  5. ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – Proper Defenses
  6. ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – The Forts
  7. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Pirates – The Whydah's Secret
  8. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Pirates – La Boca del Diablo (memory)
  9. ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – Diving for Medicines
  10. ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – Devil's Advocate
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – The Siege of Charles-Towne
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – Do Not Go Gently...
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
  14. ↑ Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag: Blackbeard – The Lost Journal, p.27
  15. ↑ Charles Johnson (14 May, 1724). CHAP. III. Of Captain TEACH, alias BLACK-BEARD.. A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the most notorious Pyrates. Charles Rivington, J. Lacy, and J. Stone (via Project Gutenberg). Retrieved on 20 March 2020.
  16. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Database: Dead Chest Island
  17. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forsaken – 9 December 1735
  18. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue – Tinker Sailor Soldier Spy
  19. ↑ The Assassin's Den - ft. Mark Bonnar on the Loomer YouTube channel

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de:Edward Thatch es:Edward Thatch fr:Edward Thatch he:אדוארד טאץ' hu:Edward Thatch it:Edward Thatch ja:エドワード・サッチ nl:Edward Thatch pl:Edward Thatch pt-br:Edward Thatch ru:Эдвард Тэтч zh:爱德华·萨奇

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