Separating fact from fiction in the story of Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard
HBO’s Our Flag Means Death blends comedy and romance with the bloody myths of piracy. At the heart of the show is Stede Bonnet, an aristocrat-turned-pirate, and his unlikely partnership with the legendary Blackbeard. While the series takes creative liberties, the historical record behind these figures is both stranger and more tragic than most realise.
Who Was the Real Stede Bonnet?
Stede Bonnet was born around 1688 into a wealthy English family in Barbados. Unlike most pirates of the era, Bonnet had no naval or criminal background. A landowner and father of three, he inexplicably abandoned his estate and family in 1717, purchasing a sloop named Revenge and hiring a crew. Contemporary accounts and later reports suggest marital troubles or midlife crisis as possible causes, but no definitive reason survives.
Bonnet’s early piratical efforts were chaotic. Lacking naval skill, he delegated command to others, and his leadership was largely mocked. Nonetheless, he captured several ships along the American coast, gaining some notoriety.
The Blackbeard Connection
Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard, was already a fearsome name by the time he encountered Bonnet. He had served under the pirate Benjamin Hornigold and later commanded the infamous Queen Anne’s Revenge.
Bonnet met Blackbeard in late 1717 or early 1718. Historical evidence shows that Blackbeard quickly took command of Bonnet’s ship, possibly due to Bonnet’s injuries or inexperience. For several months, Bonnet effectively served under Blackbeard, who treated him more like a passenger than a partner. Their alliance was short-lived. After a failed attempt to secure a royal pardon, Blackbeard betrayed Bonnet, marooning his men and stripping his ship.
Bonnet’s Return and Final Stand
Bonnet did not retire quietly. Assuming the alias “Captain Thomas,” he resumed piracy with a small crew, attacking ships along the East Coast. His final campaign ended in disaster in September 1718 when he was captured near Cape Fear, North Carolina.
Bonnet was imprisoned in Charleston, South Carolina, where he awaited trial. Despite several pleas for clemency and an attempted escape, he was convicted. On 10 December 1718, he was hanged, aged around 30. Unlike Blackbeard, who died in battle, Bonnet met his end through the courts.
Fact vs Fiction in Our Flag Means Death
The Show’s Portrayal:
- Bonnet is reimagined as a kind-hearted dandy, emotionally adrift but deeply compassionate.
- Blackbeard, played with surprising tenderness, becomes an introspective figure seeking connection.
- Their relationship becomes the emotional core of the show, framed as a queer romance.
The Historical Record:
- There is no evidence of a romantic connection between Bonnet and Blackbeard.
- Their partnership was practical, brief, and likely one-sided.
- Bonnet’s life was marked more by failure and misjudgement than charm or vision.
While the show introduces a touching and affirming bond, the historical Stede Bonnet was a less capable and more tragic figure than the one portrayed. Still, the emotional resonance and character work in the series serve a different purpose than strict retelling.
Archaeology and Legacy
Unlike Blackbeard, whose Queen Anne’s Revenge was discovered off North Carolina in 1996, there are no confirmed archaeological finds tied directly to Bonnet. His ship, the Revenge, was likely stripped and lost after his betrayal. What survives are court records, letters from governors, and newspaper accounts, piecing together a life that never quite fit the pirate mould.
Bonnet’s legacy remains obscure in popular culture, largely overshadowed by the mythic status of Blackbeard. Yet Our Flag Means Death has revived interest in this unlikely pirate, not for his conquests, but for his contradictions.
The Seven Swords takeaway
The true story behind Our Flag Means Death is not one of swashbuckling glory or tragic romance. It is a tale of delusion, ambition, and a man out of his depth. The show takes these raw materials and crafts something imaginative and heartfelt. History may not record a love story, but it certainly records an extraordinary collision of two men whose brief alliance has echoed across centuries.
The myth has changed, but the bones of the truth remain.
Watch the true history:
