A General History of the Pirates · Chapter
Of Major Stede Bonnet and His Crew explained
This chapter recounts the story of Major Stede Bonnet, a wealthy and educated gentleman from Barbados who inexplicably turned to piracy.
What happens
This chapter recounts the story of Major Stede Bonnet, a wealthy and educated gentleman from Barbados who inexplicably turned to piracy. Despite his lack of maritime experience, he outfitted a sloop, the Revenge, and began plundering ships off Virginia and New York. He later joined forces with the notorious Blackbeard (Edward Teach), who effectively took command and sidelined Bonnet. After Blackbeard wrecked his ship and accepted the King's pardon, Bonnet reclaimed his sloop and also surrendered. However, he soon relapsed into piracy under the alias Captain Thomas, preying on vessels off Virginia. He was eventually captured by Colonel William Rhet after a fierce battle, escaped briefly, was recaptured, and brought to trial in Charleston, where he was convicted of piracy.
Themes in this chapter
Economic Despair as a Driver of Piracy
Bonnet's piracy is not driven by economic need but by personal discontent, contrasting with the typical economic motivations of pirates.
Corruption of Colonial Governance
Bonnet's escape from custody led to public accusations of bribery and corruption against the governor and magistrates.
Law, Injustice, and the Blurred Line Between Privateer and Pirate
Bonnet's attempt to obtain a privateering commission from St. Thomas and his subsequent relapse into piracy blur the legal distinction between privateer and pirate.
Characters to notice
- Stede Bonnet
A wealthy Barbados gentleman who turned pirate, commanded the Revenge, later consorted with Blackbeard, surrendered and then relapsed, was captured, escaped, recaptured, and tried.
- Edward Teach
Notorious pirate known as Blackbeard; Bonnet's crew joined in consortship with him; he later abandoned Bonnet and took his valuables.
- Richards
Appointed captain of Bonnet's sloop after Bonnet was laid aside by Blackbeard.
- William Rhet
Colonel who commanded the two sloops that engaged and captured Bonnet; later recaptured Bonnet after his escape.
- Judge Trot
Judge of the Vice Admiralty and Chief Justice of South Carolina who presided over Bonnet's trial.
- Ignatius Pell
Boatswain of Bonnet's crew, designated as an evidence against the other pirates.
- David Hariot
Master of Bonnet's sloop, designated as an evidence; escaped with Bonnet but was killed during recapture.
Key passages
“The major was a gentleman of good reputation in the Island of Barbados, was master of a plentiful fortune, and had the advantage of a liberal education. He had the least temptation of any man to follow such a course of life, from the condition of his circumstances.”
Bonnet was a well-respected, wealthy, and educated man from Barbados who had no obvious reason to become a pirate.
Highlights the unusual nature of Bonnet's turn to piracy.
“This fellow was a good sailor, but a most cruel hardened villain, bold and daring to the last degree, and would not stick at the perpetrating the most abominable wickedness imaginable; for which he was made chief of that execrable gang, that it might be said that his post was not unduly filled, Blackbeard being truly the superior in roguery, of all the company.”
Blackbeard was a skilled sailor and a ruthless villain, perfectly suited to lead a gang of pirates.
Describes Blackbeard's character and his leadership role.
“The Major now saw his folly, but could not help himself, which made him melancholy; he reflected upon his past course of life, and was confounded with shame, when he thought upon what he had done.”
Bonnet realized his mistake and felt deep shame and regret for his actions.
Shows Bonnet's remorse and desire to leave piracy.
“After this, the Major threw off all restraint, and though he had just before received His Majesty’s mercy, in the name of Stede Bonnet, he relaps’d in good earnest into his old vocation, by the name of Captain Thomas, and recommenced a downright pirate.”
Despite receiving the King's pardon, Bonnet abandoned all pretense and returned to piracy under the alias Captain Thomas.
Illustrates Bonnet's relapse into piracy after being pardoned.
