b"History\\u2019s most notorious pirate, Edward \\u2018Blackbeard\\u2019 Teach, was killed and decapitated by lieutenant Robert Maynard, who besieged Blackbeard\\u2019s boats in Ocracoke on 22nd November, 1718.\\xa0\\nNow recalled as a fearsome and gratuitous murderer, Blackbeard\\u2019s demonic character is not documented in contemporary sources. In fact, very little is truly known about Teach (even, indeed, whether that was his real name), apart from the fact he a) had a beard, b) was from Bristol, and c) was very good at pirating. But his formidable reputation of setting his beard on fire and rampaging his way round the high seas was sealed by the swashbuckling tales published after his death.\\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal how Daniel Defoe may be linked with the Blackbeard cult; rate the pirate\\u2019s expertise at cultivating psychological warfare; and unearth the story of Stede Bonnet, \\u2018the worst pirate of all time\\u2019...\\xa0\\xa0\\nFurther Reading:\\n\\u2022 \\u2018Here's How Blackbeard the Pirate Really Died 300 Years Ago\\u2019 (Time, 2018): https://time.com/5457008/blackbeard-death/\\n\\u2022 \\u2018Blackbeard | Edward Teach's Life, Death & Legend\\u2019 (HistoryExtra, 2022): https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/blackbeard-edward-teach-real-name-death-burning-beard/\\n\\u2022 \\u2018Horrible Histories: The Blackbeard Song\\u2019 (CBBC, 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2IaNvAmBzU\\n#1700s #Pirates #Person\\nLove the show? Join\\xa0\\U0001f334CLUB RETROSPECTORS\\xa0\\U0001f334 to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode every SUNDAY!\\nPlus, get weekly bonus bits, unlock over 70 bits of extra content and support our independent podcast.\\nJoin now via\\xa0Apple Podcasts\\xa0or\\xa0Patreon.\\xa0Thanks!\\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King.\\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.\\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices"