Known as the “Gentleman Pirate,” Stede Bonnet remains one of the most curious figures of the Golden Age of Piracy. Unlike most of his contemporaries, Bonnet came from privilege and education, not desperation or naval background. His brief but chaotic foray into piracy left a mark in both historical records and popular imagination.
Early Life and Background
Stede Bonnet was born in 1688 in Barbados into a wealthy English family. He inherited a substantial sugar plantation after the death of his father, and in 1709 he married Mary Allamby. Though a landowner and part of the island’s colonial elite, Bonnet was reportedly dissatisfied with his domestic life. According to Captain Charles Johnson’s A General History of the Pyrates (1724), Bonnet “was more a Gentleman than a Sailor,” and his decision to turn to piracy was seen as inexplicable by many of his peers.
Rather than commandeer a ship by force, Bonnet purchased a sloop outright in 1717, outfitting it himself at great cost. He named it Revenge, hired a crew of around seventy men, and began his life of piracy.
Weapons and Ships
Bonnet’s flagship, Revenge, was a sloop rigged for speed and manoeuvrability. Initially armed with ten guns, it was later upgraded to accommodate up to twelve. Unlike most pirate captains, Bonnet lacked maritime experience. He often deferred command decisions to more capable officers aboard, especially early in his career.
Weapons aboard the Revenge and used by Bonnet’s crew likely included:
- Cutlasses and boarding axes
- Flintlock pistols
- Muskets
- Cannons (primarily 4-pounders and swivel guns)
Bonnet himself, being from a genteel background, may have carried finer weaponry, possibly including silver-hilted smallswords or duelling pistols.
Early Piratical Career
Operating along the American eastern seaboard, Bonnet had some initial success, capturing merchant ships and seizing their cargo. However, his lack of seafaring skill quickly became evident. A serious injury sustained during one engagement left him incapacitated for a time.
It was during this period that he crossed paths with Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Bonnet placed himself under Teach’s command, either out of necessity or manipulation. While Teach took control of Revenge, Bonnet remained aboard as a guest more than a captain.
Alliance with Blackbeard
Bonnet and Blackbeard cooperated for several months. Together, their ships blockaded Charleston in May 1718, taking several hostages and seizing medicines. Bonnet’s role during this operation was largely symbolic. Contemporary sources suggest Blackbeard considered him ineffectual as a pirate commander.
According to one account, “Teach, finding that Bonnet knew nothing of the business, put another captain in command, though Bonnet remained on board.” When Blackbeard eventually marooned part of his own crew and disappeared with most of the spoils, Bonnet was left to piece together a new crew and regain some semblance of leadership.
Battles and Final Campaign
Bonnet attempted to legitimise his piracy by accepting the King’s Pardon in 1718. He changed the name of his ship to Royal James and briefly operated under the guise of a privateer. However, he soon returned to piracy, attacking vessels in the Carolinas.
His final campaign was marked by increasing desperation. In September 1718, he was cornered by colonial forces under Colonel William Rhett near the mouth of the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. After a drawn-out engagement, Bonnet surrendered.
Trial and Fate
Stede Bonnet was tried in Charleston, South Carolina, in October 1718. Despite attempts to defend himself and appeal to the court’s mercy, he was found guilty on multiple counts of piracy. His execution was delayed twice, possibly due to political connections or public sympathy.
On 10 December 1718, Stede Bonnet was hanged at White Point Garden, Charleston. His body was buried beneath the gallows. Captain Johnson records that Bonnet “died a penitent man,” although the accuracy of such statements is difficult to verify.
Treasure and Bounty
There are no confirmed accounts of Bonnet hiding treasure, and unlike some pirates, no enduring legends of buried hoards are tied to his name. His captures often consisted of mundane goods: tobacco, sugar, cloth, and wine. The value of his seizures paled in comparison to other pirates of his time.
The bounty placed on Bonnet was substantial, as colonial authorities sought to make an example of former gentlemen turned rogue. After his capture, his possessions and remaining cargo were confiscated.
Legacy and Contemporary Descriptions
Stede Bonnet is one of the few pirates for whom detailed trial records and contemporary commentary survive. Charles Johnson’s A General History remains the main narrative source, though its embellishments must be treated with caution.
One quote from a colonial observer reads:
“He was a Gentleman of good parts and liberal education, but unhappily led away by the wild notion of liberty at sea.”
Modern interpretations often paint Bonnet as a tragic or comedic figure, more out of place than truly menacing. His friendship with Blackbeard, the tension between his upbringing and his actions, and his ultimate downfall have cemented him as one of the more peculiar figures in pirate history.
Stede Bonnet’s tale is not one of glory, but of contradiction: a man too refined for the brutal world he chose, and too proud to admit he was never meant to rule the seas.
