Stede Bonnet: The Gentleman Pirate | Mutineer Bay Lore
Stede Bonnet. The Barbadian landowner who bought a ship and turned pirate.
Stede Bonnet was unique among Golden Age pirates: wealthy, educated, an actual military officer in Barbados, married with children, no obvious need for the life he chose. He bought his ship — the Revenge — outright in 1717 instead of stealing one. His flag carried a skull above a horizontal long bone, a heart and dagger flanking it. Briefly partnered with Blackbeard, who took his crew. Recaptured it. Hanged at Charles Town in December 1718, asking only that his hat be placed in his hand. The Gentleman Pirate. The full Mutineer Bay Stede Bonnet collection.
