Henry Avery is the most famous pirate you've never heard of. Dubbed the “The Arch Pirate” and “The King of Pirates” by his peers, Avery was one of the very few pirates of note to retire with his fortune and life intact… and What a fortune!
Probably the most famous real-life pirate ever, Blackbeard (real name Edward Teach) preyed on shipping vessels in the West Indies and along the east coast of America. He was Benjamin Hornigold's second-in-command and a key member of the Flying Gang before going out alone.
Bartholomew Roberts (17 May 1682 – 10 February 1722), born John Roberts, was a Welsh pirate who was, measured by vessels captured, the most successful pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy. During his piratical career, he took over 470 prize ships.
Pirate Enlightenment, or the Real Libertalia
In the ensuing battle, the pirates' leader, an Englishman variously known as Henry Avery, Henry Every, the King of Pirates and Long Ben, seized precious jewels and metals worth £600,000 – equivalent to around £97.1 million today.
The earliest documented instances of piracy are the exploits of the Sea Peoples who threatened the ships sailing in the Aegean and Mediterranean waters in the 14th century BC. In classical antiquity, the Phoenicians, Illyrians and Tyrrhenians were known as pirates.
Bartholomew Roberts
He was the last great pirate of the golden age who plundered more than 400 ships.
In fact, the last person convicted and executed for piracy on American soil was Albert Hicks, also known as Pirate Hicks, all the way back in 1860. Albert W. Hicks was born around 1820 in Rhode Island to a farmer and his wife.
The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger is known to have been the most incredible pirate. Roger was responsible for starting the Great Pirate Era and at the same time, he was the most influential pirate of this era as well. With his Saijō Ō Wazamono sword Ace, Roger could match up to any foe.
John Ward was the inspiration for the character of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Ward's nickname was 'Sparrow' and he was known for his flamboyant style – much like the Hollywood icon. Ward so ingratiated himself with Uthman Dey that he was given a large plot of land in Tunis.
Blackbeard had no grave at all. His body was thrown into Pamlico Sound, his head given as a trophy to Spotswood, who had it displayed on a tall pole in Hampton Roads, at a site now known as Blackbeard's Point.
History. Piracy arose out of, and mirrored on a smaller scale, conflicts over trade and colonization among the rival European powers of the time, including the empires of Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, and France. Most pirates in this era were of Welsh, English, Dutch, Irish, and French origin.
Queen Anne's Revenge was not only among the most famous ships in history, but it was also one of the most feared. It was formerly known as La Concorde — a huge French ship that carried and transported slaves — until it was captured and refitted by the famous Edward Teach, more commonly known as Blackbeard.
Currently, the Emperors are Red-Haired Shanks, Blackbeard, Straw Hat Luffy, and Buggy the Star Clown; Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaidou of the Beasts are the former known members.
Updated December 19, 2021 by Rei Penber: The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, is quite easily one of the strongest pirates in the story, and other than Whitebeard, no one can truly be considered an equal to him. Yet with time, more characters who wield tremendous strength themselves have been introduced in the story.
The oldest active pirate during the Golden Age of piracy was Captain William Kidd (born c. 1645, d. 23 May 1701), who plied his trade until the age of 54; owing to the many occupational hazards, the majority of pirates only lived into their mid-30s.
Discovered off the coast of Wellfleet, MA, the Whydah Gally is the world's only authenticated pirate ship. Learn more about its fascinating history.