Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet: The True History Behind Our Flag Means Death

[@Bee-ks8tl]

im sorry but the actual stede bonnet going "well we're fucked lets all die together" and everyone going "NO ACTUALLY LETS JUST SURRENDER" is fucking hilarious

[@RariettyC]

if OFMD doesn't use that as a joke when they get to that point I'll be disappointed

[@drewc9488]

@@ana_d_73 will do !!!

[@mouse.04]

@@ana_d_73 whats it called?

[@drench1580]

The gentleman pirate, sundance rejects

[@ThreadBomb]

But it's worth reading the letter Bonnet wrote at 53:12 in which he says that he persuaded his men to surrender, and was promised good treatment by Rhett. Presumably, if anyone had bothered to ask Rhett, he would have backed up Bonnet's story.

[@oreos4843]

Hearing some of these actual historical facts, ((like dressing up in women's clothes to escape prison)) I'm sitting here like "Oh yeah. They're definitely gonna use that in the show."

[@jessicawanyan9785]

Oh god I sincerely hope they do

[@mystery1317]

Bringing wilted flowers to his own execution also feels like something that show Stede would do. It’s the ✨drama✨ of it all 😂

[@hotdogwaterjug]

yes now i’m wishing for that season 2 announcement even harder

[@alexatascher7500]

omg same i hope they give stede an evil revenge-seeking arc where he manages to be scarier and more ruthless than blackbeard was

[@yknowthatgirl]

after the teaser with the cake toppers, i’m REALLY hoping for it

[@julianffan]

Whenever someone brings up this show and the phrase “historical accuracy” in one place I just think about Taika in a bright purple tee-shirt and a one-armed black leather biker outfit. In the Caribbean.

[@Bubble_is_here]

I KNOW RIGHT

[@cultucreadora5970]

I am actually impressed at how actually based on true events it is, as someone who knew nothing of pirate history, it's kind of hilarious that it's not that off from the show

[@sarafekihsaid1197]

I tried to draw him today, and I realized that his outfit is absolutely absurd, it makes no sense, like look at it! What is happening?!

[@kayday1996]

or the fact that someone reacted with "vibes man" to blackbeards singing in the final episode 😂

[@Minam0]

Blackbeard’s costume is almost exactly the same as Max’s in the first Mad Max movie

[@babebeee1900]

Bonnet bringing wilted flowers to the gallows is the gayest thing I have ever heard and I am living for it lol

[@babebeee1900]

✨✨✨the drama✨✨✨ its the way I wanna go

[@btenko2839]

He actually held a little posy of wilted flowers in ep 10 before he "died" hit by the carriage. I was wondering what it could symbolise and I found this: “Approaching the gallows, Bonnet clutched a wilted bouquet of flowers, in many ways symbolic of his own life, in his shackled hands.” (reference from the 1724 “A General History of the Pyrates: Pirate Captains, Crews, Ships, and Laws") Interesting but I hope the only Stede death we see on screen it's the fake one otherwise I'll 👀✊🦷

[@ThreadBomb]

I don't think it sounds gay.

[@CleoHarperReturns]

I don't know, did you read his letter where he asked to be looked upon "with tender Bowels of Pity and Compassion?" I can tell you I have never been so bold. *in his letter to the judge 53:07

[@IsyAweigh]

@violetvandusen63 "bowels of compassion" was a standard phrase, back when each organ was believed to host certain emotions. Livers held rage, gall bladders crankiness. Bowels held compassion. No idea why. Funny ah now.

[@mallory9486]

The fact that there really was a pirate that enjoyed writing fan fiction about Stede and Ed like Lucius lied about doing is personally my favorite part

[@janelleholbein]

It was actually Frenchie that lied about the fan fiction when he was the one who was trying to get rid of Lucius' book. Not trying to be a stickler. Your point is totally valid and I agree wholeheartedly, I was thinking the same thing. In any case, this was a great education on what little historical things we both know and don't know, very well done!

[@Itzame567]

I saw that "This is a scurvy free household" embroidery in the background and started laughing out loud.

[@sennnia]

I wanted there to be a citrus on the desk underneath it to really sell it

[@ClosetDemon]

i need if in my life

[@abracadaverous]

@@sennnia Yeah, I was thinking a bowl of candied orange slices, at least!

[@anska7475]

Yes, I laughed and decided that I‘ll have to make one an hang it on my lemon tree. =)

[@moon-Invader]

Agree 100%

[@spiderwickian]

i saw something somewhere that was like "ofmd feels like the writers did a TON of research then decided they didn't need about 70 percent of what they'd learned" and i honestly love that AWESOME video

[@Jidashia]

Considering Rhys said in an interview he learned how to sail for the role and then actually had to unlearn everything because he was "overqualified" to play stede i wouldn't be surprised lol

[@elliart7432]

@@Jidashia I'm sorry that is fucking hilarious

[@El-de6nj]

@@Jidashia this is like the funniest thing ive heard all week

[@bedtimerat]

@@Jidashia he got so prepared and then was like "wait... im supposed to be really stupid at this whole pirate thing" 🤣

[@ladyredl3210]

As someone who is in the midst of writing a gaslight fantasy series, this is so accurate.

[@Minam0]

Ok I lost it at the supposed seance with Blackbeard’s ghost. Him misunderstanding the fine print of a demonic contract is the funniest shit.

[@joseybryant7577]

He said yar, that's irrefutable proof of his skull being a cup.

[@sarahwatts7152]

But also...he had to go to board meetings even though he was dead? No pirate would put up with a board meeting!

[@The_Jovian]

@@sarahwatts7152 they prefer plank meetings

[@LaRana2315]

God imagine if OFMD Edward and Stede got roped into causing Great Terrior thinking it said Great Terror bc they didn't read the fine print or misunderstood the contract.

[@VioletCatbird]

Olé Scratch

[@verenak-ee2vy]

I love that a lot of the costumes are historically actually really good and then there's Ed

[@zaphlo]

Ahhhhh, Stede's is closer to accurate, and like any show or movie, background characters are always closer to actual research than main characters but the all of the pirates costumes are not very historically accurate at all. Everything is theatrical, including the set/scenery which kind of fits with the humor of the show. Everything is a facade.

[@verenak-ee2vy]

@@zaphlo lmao yeah I know it's pretty theatrical, Olu's literally wearing Crocs, but for people who aren't familiar with historical clothing it might look pretty accurate and Ed's outfit just does not fit in there (don't get me wrong I love his outfit but it literally looks like biker gear)

[@viktorcordyceps1978]

@@verenak-ee2vy Ed wears gay leather daddy gear I love it as a nod to his queerness. I'm a gay man who loves leather/the bdsm comminity/lifestyle as well and understand it's connection to queerness and queer history so it makes me happy but I can see how it wouldn't make sense if you didn't know what it meant

[@BahiaDoSul]

everybody talking about ed but fangs w that headress and chains on his belt, looking more like a madmax biker than the own guy wearing max's cothing, hello?? 😭😭

[@RariettyC]

I love OFMD"s choice to make the characters middle-aged even if they were younger. It really reinforces how the characters are at a stage of their "mythology" where they feel too late to change how others perceive them. Stede feels stuck as a cowardly rich boy, who will end up finding tragedy if he attempts to become something else, while Ed feels stuck as THE ultimate violent pirate, who will end up finding tragedy if he gets too complacent or comfortable. This also aligns with how history remembers them; however, making the characters appear beyond an age they would have survived in real life reinforces that it's never too late to re-evaluate those assumptions, both by themselves and other characters in-universe and by the audience out-of-universe.

[@elliart7432]

It also just really works in the context of being a queer centered story because many lgbt people miss out on important social-emotional milestones. Showing that the ages at which they typically happen are just a construct is really sweet and is important for the show's target audience to see. Jenkins described this really well when he said the characters are essentially experiencing things you'd typically see in 16 years olds for the first time in middle age.

[@BriannaBanana1]

@@elliart7432 As someone who just realized I’m bi in 2020, at age 29 (and who has ADHD, which has also set me back with various milestones), this is making me unexpectedly emotional. I feel seen. 🥹

[@elliart7432]

@@BriannaBanana1 I just found out I’m autistic and have adhd at 20, so I feel you 😂

[@whatwedointheshadows3349]

Orchestral fuckin’ maneuvers in the dark?

[@ringodingo4322]

I also just love seeing older queer people, most lgbt relationships in modern culture are between two young people, which is true but having two middle aged gay men on screen shows that lgbtq+ isn’t just some “woke gen z propaganda”

[@broccoli4781]

as someone who is typically a stickler for historical accuracy, i understand historian’s dislike of shows like this that take sooo much creative liberty. however, i also enjoy stories that use real historical figures/events as a sort of… jumping off point? as long as they aren’t presenting their stories as truth and make it very clear that it’s fictional, i think they’re really fun!

[@AkiH203]

Seems like the original book on pirates, that everyone draws from did not care for historical accuracy that much either, as some of it was basically just made up. So I myself don't really care how truthfull the tv show is. What even IS accurate in this story (and probably the most of history)? Even documentaries have an angle.

[@throughthedin]

I agree! I love historical fiction, and imagining what could have happened in a different timeline or AU. And I am ALL for putting a 🌈 gay 🌈 lens on everything. If its gay, I'll watch it.

[@test-kf2zv]

Exactly. This show is not trying to be Mad Men or Downton Abbey with the historical accuracy (and even those shows had flaws). It's a fun re-imagining of history. I love history, but I watched it because I heard it was a fun show. That being said, I can understand not enjoying it if you've studied pirates half your life and know Blackbeard as a very different person than the one on the show. But let other people enjoy it.

[@firebunnylover3108]

Haha I left like 69

[@bustedkeaton]

I was shocked to find out that Stede Bonnet and Izzy Hands were also real people

[@metallicmikus]

and that Izzy was 16 at the time the show took place 💀

[@bustedkeaton]

@@metallicmikus Con O'Neill's range playing a 17 year old at the age of 55 😤💯🔥

[@hbeachley]

I’m a history buff and I had no idea, either. It’s such an interesting story.

[@jojoslameerrand9305]

@@metallicmikus they really riverdale'd him

[@Noaartetc]

Maybe Spanish Jackie's "I'm 25" was a nod to how they all were much younger)

[@midgey50]

It’s so strange to think that Blackbeard was just a few years older than I am now when he died, and Stede was actually a couple years younger than me. Growing up hearing stories about these men, I never really understood how young they were.

[@joshlemagne]

They also were generally a lot less active than people would think. It's funny to look up the career of a super-famous pirate and find out they were only a pirate for a year and a half and only attacked like six ships before they were caught and hanged.

[@El-de6nj]

@@joshlemagne i've been skimming a ton of fanfic lately to see how people handle the characters. i find it so interesting how, post break up, blackbeard is commonly said to sink dozens of ships within the span of weeks.

[@lauramathews3151]

Makes the POTC Blackbeard portrayal and searching for the fountain of youth plotline seem very very bizarre.....

[@egg_bun_]

@@joshlemagne dang, I had no idea.

[@BriannaBanana1]

This is how I felt after seeing the ‘Chernobyl’ miniseries in 2019 and developing a hyperfixation where I deep-dived into all the history around the disaster, the science of radiation sickness and nuclear energy, etc. Most of the citizens of Pripyat and the workers at the plant were around the age I was then or younger, and something about that really allowed me to imagine what it might have been like to be there in a visceral sort of way. The plant workers and firefighters and liquidators who died could have been friends of mine.

[@crow-jane]

The fact the OFMD is basically pirate slash fic raises my hopes that the writers will figure out how to get Ed and Stede a happy ending instead of…well, we know what actually happened to them. Edited to add: It’s not that I think the writing staff will go out of their way to emotionally destroy us, it’s that I’m hoping for a resolution that both feels satisfying while managing to follow the historical contours of the story as well as they have up to this point. It’s gonna be one heck of a balancing act, and I frankly cannot wait to see it.

[@whitetigergurl12]

To quote David Jenkins in an interview, "in real life, it ended badly. But we're not doing real life." I'm taking that particular interview as a real comfort

[@howdyitsren]

especially when they make in-show references to fanfiction. also I’ll perish if they don’t get a happy ending

[@crow-jane]

@@howdyitsren Does Charles Johnson’s book count as fan fiction? Cause Stede definitely has a copy. 😂

[@CanelaAguila]

I'm very convinced they'll go the route of a fake death, they already set up the whole Blackbeard taking Stede's place after killing him, they could just pretend to die and live happily ever after as ferry men or something

[@politemenace5781]

I feel like they could have them both fake their deaths and run away together

[@Donovaneagle2098]

I honestly cant decide my favorite OFMD character, but Buttons has most of my favorite quotes so I think I'll say him. Especially his line "I... yearn to make sweet love to the sea..."

[@KanaidBlack]

He'll met Calipso for sure

[@Gumi.]

Some of us are trying to bathe in the moon glow🙄

[@stardusst]

"these are my summer teeth. some are teeth, some ain't"

[@kitty-cat9966]

Mine is you triggered my fight or bite reflex’s

[@serentique]

Literally cried when Karl died, poor buttons 😭

[@duod7847]

My favorite character is Mr. Buttons, because I'm also borderline unhinged and a fan of birds. Plus every time I see him I hear "day 342 of feeding my pet seagull to gain his trust" in my head.

[@Seethemusicalcolors]

I love Nathaniel

[@sunnydaysatl]

I thought I was the only one.

[@najmiizzati2931]

Do you guys moonbathe too? I do

[@duod7847]

@@najmiizzati2931 when I try i get arrested :(

[@whatcanidooo]

He’s the best, also I genuinely almost cried when the seagull died. And I love how he just chills with the bird on his head cause I have a pet bird and people are always surprised that she prefers to land on heads rather than shoulders

[@errohaze2683]

It's very interesting that despite being only loosely based on the real history, the characters and story capture the basic essence of what we do know about these historical figures!

[@chocochan013]

"I'm actually going to make a video in the future about gay pirates, so, sorry about that." that is absolutely nothing to be sorry for

[@Nwmguy]

My favourite character is Stede just because Rhys is fantastic. The character I relate the most to is Buttons because if I was at sea for like two weeks I would definitely be talking to seagulls.

[@carrie.m]

I was very excited for the show because of Taika, but I was like SURE it was just going to be queerbaiting for every episode. When they kissed I was like "oh wow, now they will say kissing is a thing bros do". I couldn't believe it wasn't queerbaiting. But anyway, thank you for making a video about the real history! The quality of your research is always superb!

[@hannahmeaker4595]

he looks SO good as blackbeard. makeup department that did the hair and beard were just gold star

[@olirolypoly]

i heart taika

[@timotheahaider3822]

I feel like OFMD does a great job of building a thick wall between the shows world and reality. Like, the ocean in that damn show has to be the size of a small pond in Arizona. People are making their way across it way too easily. You can't just row a boat from England to the island where your entire crew just so happens to be marooned, are you KIDDING ME???

[@thatsdisco]

I've heard somewhere that David Jenkins seemingly had more experience with theatre plays in the past? Which,, explains the "people just get to a place easily by rowboat, without rations or anything" very easily. If you saw that on stage you wouldn't even bat an eye, so it makes sense. I love how theatre in this sense is inherent to the show

[@brennag7962]

Aren't they all in the Caribbean? Pretty sure Stede and Mary's matching tombstones said born in Barbados

[@e.p.4127]

They actually live in Barbados (both in the show and historically), not England! So Stede taking a rowing boat isn't that dumb. But otherwise I agree.

[@emmadenton1826]

we all know they navigate using the power of gaydar 🙄 please learn your history

[@siarlotlloyd9416]

@Emma Denton, nah, it's too early for gaydar...they used a same sextant XD

[@HarveyMidnight]

I think Lucius is my favorite character. He just seems to unite all the crew, and is an eternal peacemaker, whether it's between Ed & Stede, or between Stede & the crew... Even though he makes a bit of a show out of being "terrified", his interactions with Izzy make him seem like a very quietly *brave* person. Plus, he has some of the BEST lines in the whole show: Izzy: You think you're cute? Lucius: Actually, I think I'm just 'so-so', but I've decided to carry myself like I'm cute.

[@xKumei]

When it comes specifically to piracy, it doesn't make much sense to me for historians to get upset about misrepresenting history. They literally misrepresented themselves, for better or for worse, and we are just continuing the living legends.

[@alexatascher7500]

there’s also an entire character whose purpose is to misrepresent bonnet, and ofc edward’s identity issues are at the forefront! with this show, i feel like they’re constantly highlighting the omnipresent difference between actual lives and recorded history, so going after OFMD for “historical inaccuracy” kiiinda just reads as misunderstanding one of its fundamental themes.

[@judeconnor-macintyre9874]

I study history, it's just one of those things for us, we love feeling smart by pointing these things out.

[@morganburt2565]

@@judeconnor-macintyre9874 nobody likes a moral philosoph- ope, i mean historian

[@ontxtteredwxngs]

Not to mention historians stealing from other countries and cultures to make money off of rich white people. Hell, they stole people.

[@skunkskiestink6620]

they all had like stage name, alter egos, and were writing gossip back and forth like “no i totally say him plunder this amazing vessel he like took all their good stuff and like snapped a girls neck and threw her overboard”. and then historians get mad when we speculate outside of those accounts like….your honor they’re lying!we don’t even know the truth from primary sources we can say they’re gay it’s fine

[@tremorsfan]

One of the most ridiculous myths of piracy (at least to me) is the idea of buried treasure. Let's say you've been stuck on a ship for god knows how many months. You stink, you haven't had a decent meal and can't even remember what a woman looks like. Now you've finally got some money and the boss suddenly says "sorry boys, we're going to bury this treasure until the heat dies down". He won't be captain for long.

[@SistersTape]

Oooh true! Now I'm wondering if there is any historical account of buried treasure

[@annajung1234]

@@SistersTape Apparently, William Kidd did bury a bit of treasure once. Or maybe it was just false evidence planted by those who accused him of piracy at the time.

[@someoldytaccount]

@@annajung1234 Reading your comment, it gave me the idea that if burying treasure was a thing, it would have likely played out in the way that money laundering "legitimises" the memory of the money's illegal origins. Meaning that the stolen treasure on the high seas was criminal, but as soon as it reached land, it was not a thing of questioning where it came from, just that it was of great value and that people spent their lives trying to find it.

[@annajung1234]

@@someoldytaccount Yeah, that's an interesting idea.

[@mariesabine2385]

Exactly. Real pirates spent most of their plunder.

[@whatcanidooo]

As soon as I saw Blackbeard’s outfit I felt like it had been communicated to me that they weren’t going for accuracy

[@SkyofDread]

This was such a good series. I haven’t laughed this hard in ages.

[@hbeachley]

So funny and utterly charming.

[@saml302]

personally I'm hoping that it IS a good series. hasn't been picked up yet for s2 but I'd guess the creators have more story to tell

[@riverkhan1128]

The scene where roach fall off the mast and hits the boat is the best thing in the world for me

[@neelasorable]

Bonnet inventing "going to the shop for cigarettes" was a twist I did not see coming

[@cultucreadora5970]

A+ joke

[@chriscze6153]

I don't get it?

[@gerrye114]

@@chriscze6153 a father abandoning his family is often said to have just "gone out for cigarettes or milk" and never coming back

[@SingingSealRiana]

@@chriscze6153 "don't worry, I'll be right back, just buying a pack of cigarettes" and he was never seen again

[@clarebeforebreakfast5044]

“My dad just popped out to become a pirate…”

[@zuri_catto]

"Find an act of grace in each other" when I tell you I fell to the floor hearing that last line

[@GeneralOlde]

My big takeaway from this video was that the real Stede Bonnet was basically a human meme.

[@hologeist7284]

while i do understand some historians saying what the ofmd crew is doing w/ the show is irresponsible, they never really said that everything that goes on in the show is true. there's no 'based on a true story' tagline anywhere as far as i'm aware. it's treated as a romcom and is shown as such. that being said, thank you for doing meticulous research to make this video! i find it hard to read historical documents, especially the prose-y ones (it's the autism luvs xoxo), so you going through each snippet and explaining what it meant was really helpful to my understanding of the history of bonnet and blackbeard! also very excited to have discovered yet another they/them content creator and am very much looking forward to your video on gay pirates! keep up the amazing work you're doing!

[@kg7219]

Historians are always gonna have some issue with the way historical figures are presented in art. At least this show is more fun to watch than a documentary lmfao

[@sam_4481]

i seem to remember a message at the end of ep 10 saying something along the lines of "any resemblance to real life people is purely coincidental" obviously theyre joking but its a good way to save face

[@tananario]

“Those” people need to look up the word “documentary.” And learn the difference between that and a scripted tv series.

[@tananario]

@@sam_4481 “Save face”? Do you know what that means? There is ZERO reasons to “save face.” 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sam_4481]

@@tananario ok thanks for sharing

[@professorpeachez]

Absolutely fucking lost it at "Do you think Blackbeard and the Gentleman Pirate ever explored each others bodies?". Great start to a video that just got better and better! Cheers Kaz!

[@arey502]

I love that you talked about how pirates are NOT good guys, punk rock maybe, but not good. I feel like Pirates of the Caribbean has made people think that they could be good because Jack Sparrow is so funny and likable. Also, I can appreciate what Taika Waititi is doing with historical fiction (I.e. Jojo Rabbit, What We Do in the Shadows, and Our Flag Means Death) it can be misinforming to the layman who watches these shows (as well as other historical fiction like Bridgeton and Outlander) and consider them to be factual. It’s always disheartening when I run into someone who thinks shows and movies are even close to historically accurate. I really used to get mad about it when I was younger but as I learn more about the film industry I understand some of the changes. Anyway, thank you for working so hard on researching these things for people who care. 🥰

[@victoriadiesattheend.8478]

Yes. Your comment encompassed my other opinions on this subject. There is no real way for people in 2022 to understand how rough the lives of the lower classes were in the Europe of the 1700's , and most pirates would be in that class. Disease, malnutrition, sexually transmitted diseases, general injuries obtained in the process of working on board a boat with absolutely zero technological assets, poverty, and so on. Living rough like this means it is every man for himself. Keeping oneself just barely above the line of survival means there isn't much room for humanitarian generosity or charity.

[@cockycookie1]

Captn Jack isn't the best example because he's actually not a good person at all??

[@AndersWatches]

@@cockycookie1 I mean, he was branded as a pirate specifically for refusing to transport human beings as cargo… so like… the point definitely stands.

[@ivyblack2209]

Oh my gosh, Internet Historian made an entire movie length video on the story of The Gentleman Pirate and its hilarious 😂 I'm so glad one of my other favourite creators is talking about him too!

[@boldasbecca5625]

I was disappointed at how much they dug in on the nagging wife bit. I know its a joke, but it was nice in this video of Kaz to mention that those sources aren't exactly reliable and everyone always blames the nagging wife.

[@ivyblack2209]

@@boldasbecca5625 yeah, he tends to go along with a lot of things for humor and then seems to correct things in his follow up videos. I noticed he did it a lot with his Costa Concordia doc where he then went back on things in the bts video he released later, so I totally get the criticism. I do like his work though :)

[@boldasbecca5625]

@@ivyblack2209 I love it too, he's so funny!

[@lefteyereport6354]

@@boldasbecca5625 yeah, and while I get it's meant to convey to the audience his analysis of Stede's piracy as a midlife crisis, but is ultimately just using misogynistic tropes as short hand.

[@hannahmeaker4595]

STEEEEEDE

[@KealohaHarrison]

As someone on the autism spectrum, I relate so much to Stede’s character being averse to violence and wearing a comfort garment when feeling overstimulated. Spoiler warning, turn back now: the fact that Ed wears THE SAME ROBES Stede wore both while telling the true story behind “the Kraken” killing Ed’s abusive father and when Stede didn’t show up at the dock made my heart melt. Easily my favorite show of the year, so glad season 2 just got announced.

[@kashiichan]

I too read OFMD Stede as autistic, and Ed as some flavour of neurodivergent (ADHD seems popular).

[@Ms.Whiskertoria]

I just had a silly thought.... Isn't 'Our Flag Means Death' an A.U. FanFiction of 'A General History of The Pirates'? XD

[@politemenace5781]

It's a crackfic of real historical events and people, with OCs, deliberate inaccuracies and anachronistic references, wholesomeness and unexpected drama that hits much harder than it should

[@DC_let_the_Waynes_be_happy]

Okay so what I'm thinking is : what if (within the reality of the show) at the end of the series Ed and Stede ran away together and is revealed that Frenchie (who we've seen mentioning fan fiction in the series) is the autor of 'A General History of The Pirates' and he only wrote that Blackbeard and The Gentleman Pirate died to let them have a life together? (Like I know the writers probably won't do that,but wouldn't be funny if they did?)

[@LaRana2315]

@@DC_let_the_Waynes_be_happy omg yes. Frenchie is taught how to read and write by Blackbeard or Edward, and the show ends with Bonnet seeing the book in a bookshop while at some port with Blackbeard living as free men.

[@DC_let_the_Waynes_be_happy]

@@LaRana2315 YES, I absolutely love this idea

[@saml302]

i find it interesting that the show is called Our Flag Means Death and it features heavy representation of lgbtq communities. considering that for big chunks of history, being found out that you're a part of said community could get you killed. still true today in many parts of the world. maybe im reaching, but i don't care

[@DC_let_the_Waynes_be_happy]

Tbf I don't think is that much of a reach, that was my reasoning too

[@erikavanegaseguizabal6739]

Yes, our flag (🏳️‍🌈) means death

[@BriannaBanana1]

Holy shit. I just keep finding brilliant new layers to this show and everything about it.

[@stellasdoesstuff]

I mean if you're queer in an era when you'd get killed for being queer, there's no reason not to take on a deadly career like pirating. You'll die either way.

[@carna-9501]

Pirates weren't really all that exclusive, they had a form of marriage between two sailors called Matelotage

[@beckstheimpatient4135]

I 'met' Stede Bonnet in Assassin's Creed - Black Flag. It's nice to see that a lot of what was in the game is based on the 'real' histories we have from the time. The game includes Bonnet's struggle as a captain, as well as Thatch's focus on his image (he is shown to not be as frightening as he is projecting). And I think everyone hates Calico Jack by default.

[@lefteyereport6354]

Based only on the internet historian version of events, I have to assume that it was actually a love triangle, with the quartermaster pining hopelessly for Stede, Stede for Blackbeard, and Blackbeard love hating Stede or just taking him for a ride knowing that Stede was gullible.

[@bellablue5285]

Such a beautiful coat. Also, having been pulled into the maelstrom of OFMD, I'm very happy to see this topic come up

[@bellablue5285]

Also god I miss the ocean... used to live in Hampton (which had an annual Blackbeard festival, and some really cool historical ties), I don't miss the city but man I miss the ocean

[@snookers341]

@@bellablue5285 well now for the first time in my life i desperately want to go to hampton

[@victoriadiesattheend.8478]

Thank you for mentioning the coat!!

[@jacksonadams6376]

Recentlu there was a production of “Stede Bonnet: A Fucking Pirate Musical” put on in Dallas,Tx at Theatre 3 and. i have been left speechless. The musical was genuinely the best show I have ever seen.

[@Plantluvr420]

The embroidery, the gentleman pirate outfit, transitions, and blockade shirt… you’ve outdone yourself!!! What an amazing video.

[@ashleymiller9529]

Oh, I remember they told the story of Blackbeards skull at colonial Williamsburg. Supposedly, the skull had been donated to the College of William and Mary and kept on display in the library. One of the frats there had made it a part if their hazing ritual that you needed to steal the cup, and drink from it for a week, then put it back. In the 1920's the pledge who was tasked with this caper got expelled for some other reason, and instead of returning the skull, he took it with him! Thats the story as it's told around here anyway.

[@rachelwhitley2977]

And now the frat boys steal the sheep-shaped chairs on the patio outside Swem. Much less cool.

[@ieh451]

I'm so glad you mentioned Black Sails, it is one of my favourite shows and it hurts how underrated it is

[@Hair8Metal8Karen]

I really want to rewatch Black Sails again but I'm not emotionally ready for that 😆

[@boyshinboiv6662]

Mary bonnets actor was absoltuely phenomenal, not talked abt enough

[@Nwmguy]

Haven't finished yet but I already know you have outdone yourself. The little transition plate on the beach was a cute touch.

[@helenapupkess3192]

Shout out to everyone, who had a massive Pirate phase as a kid

[@Hair8Metal8Karen]

I'm 35 and still pretty much in my pirate phase.

[@gorgannan5177]

I liked Muppet Treasure Island, but I didn't really care for pirates. My love of pirates didn't start until I was already an adult. Embarrassing.

[@cockycookie1]

*Had?*

[@davidsaville5239]

As a kid I really enjoyed Captain Pugwash!!

[@TehTeh911]

I knew the show was based on a real person due to the vague media bits I'd seen, I had assumed the Blackbeard part was a fantastical addition when it happened in the show. It seemed like a too indulgent choice, like having your favorite character fall for your oc in a bad fanfic. I'm definitely looking at this show in a new light now.

[@thevoidwantssanrioplushies9882]

"he called his crew "cowardly puppies" izzy hands: *pushes hair behind ear bites lip*

[@hothotheat3000]

Blackbeard leaving Stede so that Stede could be pardoned and safe feels very tragic-lover coded.

[@cemeterymidtown]

As a North Carolina resident, it’s honestly hilarious seeing everyone talk about something that’s so ingrained in NC culture

[@samanthamarie1593]

same… growing up in the outer banks, my whole damn life was blackbeard. like my school literally did an annual play on his life lmao. growing up i was like “i’ve had enough of this dude” and now here i am willingly consuming content about him

[@carpevinum8645]

I saw an interview where they said Blackbeard was a rapist and Bonnet had slaves. No one wants a show about them. They were kinda horrible. And this show is obviously not set in the real world. But the nods to the real history and cultures explored really help make the world feel real and lived in.

[@rosierose8549]

I am not sure why anyone would be suprised to find out that most pirates did terrible things. There is also a huge chance they were murders as well.

[@carpevinum8645]

@@rosierose8549 I think it was in response to a Question involving how closely they intended to stick to what historical facts there are. They are obviously taking inspiration from history, but it isn't trying to be a historically accurate retelling either.

[@fangsabre]

I mean it's highly probably that Blackbeard was a rapist, but theres also distinct possibility he wasnt. Many pirate captains had codes, not just Black Bart Roberts, and a lot of those codes had death penalties for rape. Of course, because of Blackbeard and his penchant for the dramatic flair and maintaining his image, we'll never know for sure. But a lot of the image of pirates as being cutthroat rapist evil bastards comes from propaganda to demonize them, both to maintain public backing for their capture and to discourage becoming pirates as well, and all in service to maintaining hegemonic power.

[@Bubble_is_here]

Preach preach preach

[@fiend-ish1090]

it makes me think they should have just made original pirate characters. seems a bit disrespectful.... reminds me of the way hamilton got popular and suddenly slave owners were cool

[@lalababayaga]

“These actual literal pirates are bad people” - more or less Kaz stating what should be … painfully obvious.

[@pleasemyplants3447]

Finding this a year later after watching OFMD season two has been FASCINATING.

[@alliecat6281]

"before ofmd you'd be hardpressed to find a random person who knew who the gentleman pirate was" yeah, i legit assumed blackbeard was the only actual historical figure in the cast at first

[@davidhudson3534]

Lucius is wonderful… The last episode was heartbreaking. I was SO EXCITED for the talent show!!! :(

[@averyeml]

This show has absolutely taken over my life. The gay pirate brain rot has set in and I’ve been able to do nothing but watch it and read fanfic and scour the cast & crew’s socials for two weeks now. It’s very obvious they were REALLY not going for accuracy while also taking great care to know their shit. Knowing that, I was still very interested in learning the actual history of them even though I know it’s not going to be anything like OFMD. I am hoping that the show decides to make their canon deaths a fuckery and let them sail off into the sunset together but honestly this is the only time I’ve been okay with a show breaking my heart and showing a relationship falling apart (albeit temporarily).

[@tate6554]

Kaz, can I just say that the SECOND I watched our flag means death, I thought to myself omg, I bet Kaz Rowe would making an amazing video on blackbeard and stede bonnet!!! AAA im very excited to watch the video!!

[@CarryOnChronically]

I'm very late because we only just got OFMD in Scotland. My favourite character is Lucius purely because he knew standing up to Blackbeard (in This Is Happening) would likely result in his death but he still had Stede's back. Also him and Black Pete spooning on deck under the stars gives me life. Really enjoyed your video and the costumes.

[@shinetilly]

I Love Lucius!! I’m hoping for a miracle with for the character so that we see him again in season 2

[@keyaunna.]

let’s hope he was found by another ship

[@forest.moss55]

The convenient inclusion of a low lying cleaning seat or some other form of seat like protrusion in the shot where Ed’s red silk scrap floats out to sea gives me hope that he’s living in the walls n secret passages of the ship-dining on marmalade and rats lol

[@juckyvortex]

The whole leaving Bonnet thing somehow doesn't strike me as a betrayal. Sounds to me more like Black beard knew Bonnet wasn't made for this live and didn't want him to die. And it would have worked if Bonnet didn't decide to go after him.

[@user-xh8tl1su6x]

it’s so funny i thought all characters were made up 😭 even blackbeard, i always thought he was just a myth that became a well known character

[@KillerKittyYT]

The level of research and commitment to telling the truth of the story reminds me of Ask A Mortician and I couldn't love it more!

[@maayananer5962]

This is SO well-researched and presented. So much of the history content on social media doesn't bother discussing the sources and I love that you take the time to do that without giving up on the entertainment aspect. Subscribed

[@crestren5996]

Huh, I honestly thought the show was just basing around Blackbeard while Stede Bonnet was an original character. Its nice to learn something new.

[@katrinasammons1448]

Checking in here after the air of the second season, crazy that they put Anne Bonny and Mary Read in!!! I love that!!!

[@lnorlnor]

I'm personally a big fan of how OFMD is obviously a historically inaccurate comedy to anybody watching, because a lot of people for better or for worse learn history from historical fiction. Fundamentally the only interesting thing historical fiction about real people can do is to make guesses about their interiorities, which necessarily generates audience sympathy, and in that way OMFD's choice to base its characters on real people isn't any more irresponsible than (say) Hamilton or any of the trillion shows about English/British monarchs or Shakespeare's history plays, and in some ways could be seen as more responsible because you assume something is fake until you find it in a nonfiction source rather than the other way around. Even though I fundamentally agree that we shouldn't be like "a queer historical figure I luff him let me project all my modern views upon him he did no wrong" like--have you heard the way people talk about, I dunno, any historical leader?

[@Sandwhaler]

Ewen Bremner's Mr. Buttons is an amazing supporting member. I love everything he does. From his nose for mutiny, moonbathing, Summerteeth (Some are teef, some are not) and tasting the unnatural fog. Close second is Nathan Foad's Lucius. Loyal and fierce. "He did this all for you, so don't be a dick about it!" :D

[@gigitastic90]

I personally just love that Oliva got her vengeance. RIP Karl.

[@seasrosie]

AAAA ive been so excited for this!! so glad it's finally here 💜 ofmd has taken over my mind- not a single non-pirate thought in there. i'm so happy you're covering this :))

[@elliart7432]

I see people using Stede and Blackbeard being bad men to say that they couldn't have had something going on together, but honestly that alone doesn't really make sense. Like you know you can be gay and shitty at the same time right?

[@olliewithab1926]

true, I know a lot of shitty gay people

[@skunkskiestink6620]

i’m literally reading a book right now called bad gays that’s all about problematic gay historical figures it’s really great.

[@alienrat-z3g]

I'm really surprised how much of ofmd was based on the actual may-or-may-not-have-been-true history of these pirates.

[@theineffableshipper297]

seeing this during season 2- WE GETTO SEE MARY AND ANNE

[@seraftt]

Bonnet was just Blackbeard's Discord Kitten

[@mudbucket1354]

one of my fave things about kaz is they always dress for the occasion

[@gammamaman]

Not me letting out a sob with "Let's hope that OFMD's Ed and Stede do in the end find an act of grace in each other". 😩

[@emynng]

This is such a well researched video! I loved OFMD and I feel like I love it even more knowing the real story! Also, I need your “I blockaded Charleston shirt” like, iconic.

[@phoebeburnham3739]

what does it say??

[@ellie-mt4rf]

@@phoebeburnham3739 It says: I blockaded the port of Charleston for some mercury for my syphilis, and all I got was this lousy reputation.

[@phoebeburnham3739]

@@ellie-mt4rf tysm!!!!!!!!

[@elliart7432]

I like how there was a subtle nod to the medicine blockade in the show when they had to retrieve oranges for the swede. I hope that's foreshadowing for the event getting adapted fully in the show because in the context of ofmd it sounds like a really sweet plotline

[@quietwulf]

God, HBO documentary quality on a KZbin channel. What a time to be alive. Thank you so much for this fantastic content. It’s wild the amount of work that’s gone into it. Bravo!

[@Lanoira13]

It wouldn't take ruthlessness or brutality to take over Stede Bonnet's ship without being nearly as nice though. It's not like the only options were killing him and hanging him from the hull by his toes or give him a cozy forced vacation while he healed and was cared for. He could've easily just offloaded Bonnet at a doctor in a port and then take his ship, probably with the support of the crew.

[@mintjaan]

I'm actually a descendant of some of the first Jewish Settlers in Barbados. Abraham Isreal de Pisa and his family were comissioned by the English to find gold (which they did not) and eventually moved to New York City within a few generations.

[@phoenixdavida8987]

Cool.

[@toastwriter617]

I appreciate you trying to take an objective perspective on this. As a former sailor I can tell you even in the naval history I learned, dudes for certain had sex with each other on ships for hundreds of years and obviously still do, whether they were/are “out” or not. Historical records are spotty and the answer to is this historical figure gay is usually a resounding “MAYBE”.

[@sleepypeachy416]

My fave from OFMD has to be Lucious, and if they make a second season and it turns out he’s ACTULLY DEAD I’m gonna be absolutely devastated

[@mr.l5438]

Actually the main reason why women weren’t allowed on the ships is that pirates and sailors believed that having women on board would distract them from doing their duties on the ship or just the presence of women would cause infighting amongst the crew.

[@whodoobucrew2960]

no. it was the crystals that attract demons.

[@elena_1776]

Now I'm really hoping the show can incorporate Stede trying to melodramatically blow up the ship in a fit of despair and being talked down by the crew, it just feels on brand lol

[@kybstack]

i love that taika waititi himself is like, nope i did no research on blackbeard and we don't really know the truth abt him anyways so he just played him however he wanted. respect lol

[@sw4653]

The "I blockaded Charlestown" shirt is quite possibly the most amazing shirt I've ever seen.... (microbiologist :D)

[@ChardeeMacdennis339]

True story: I’m related to William Rhett, the man who caught Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard on the cape fear river. I’m from that part of, NC (on the cape fear) and my middle name is Rhett 😄 When I was a kid I thought this was the coolest thing ever 😂

[@beagleboygaming1701]

My friends late partner was a North Carolina historian who specified his research on Atlantic pirates and would talk his ear off on the possible sexually of black beard

[@thatsdisco]

go on though, what did they say about the possible sexuality of Blackbeard 👀

[@vernacapsa8937]

Tell us Beagle Boy

[@thatsdisco]

@@vernacapsa8937 yeah, tell us Beagle Boy!

[@beagleboygaming1701]

@verna Capsa my friend just said he did he didn't get to specifics

[@flockingferalhomestead]

I am a descendant of Stede Bonnet. My maternal Grandfather was a “Bonnette” and blood line traced back to Stede.

[@whitecinnamon]

56:25 I'm sorry but fully grown adult historians being mad about a fictional series that the creators clearly intended as entertainment loosely based on historical events, instead of focusing on the public's capacity of critical thinking is just nuts.

[@daimhinaubrey3194]

the fact that you made a whole ass OUTFIT FOR THIS (i want it) omfd brainrot runs deep

[@onegirlwolfpack]

Psssssst side note: the Queen Anne’s Revenge shipwreck is actually off the coast of North Carolina (near Beaufort. There’s also a Beaufort, SC) Great vid, btw, I learned lots! Thanks! Signed, A native North Carolinian 🫶

[@MegCazalet]

I’d love to hear of an aristocratic couple having marital issues becoming pirates together to get the excitement back in their relationship. (Oh, whoa, think Hollywood has taken control of my imagination.)

[@jungtothehuimang]

I am rewatching this now that season 2 is coming out and I am just having an absolute blast

[@nematarot]

Thank you for making this!! These stories are so fascinating- and I’m absolutely in love with the little touches you added in the lighthouse, teacup, and scurvy embroidery 🍊🏴‍☠️✨

[@ThePunkina1]

I hardly ever like mc in shows but stede is so precious and nice to see an positive reputation of masculinity

[@Andrani]

I feel like one of the few people who knew about Stede Bonnet before Our Flag Means Death - Ever since a kid watching Pirates of Dark Water, I started eating up anything I could to do with pirates, which was what lead me to watch this special called Real Caribbean Pirates, which is what enlightened me about him. Which, small aside, that had my favorite depictions of Calico Jack and Black Bart Roberts. But I also have a copy, somewhere, of the National Geographic special edition on the Golden Age of Piracy! Now, I DID draw a comparison in a chat group at one point between a fully fictional character and Stede Bonnet - If you look to Overwatch, there's a character named Ashe. She's a rich girl who became an outlaw, though far more competent than Stede was for a long time, in part because the rich pampered life wasn't suiting her. Now, on the matter of favorite character on the show, hands down it's Lucius. So sassy and witty!

[@Hannah-ologist]

"Before ofmd, you'd be hard pressed to find a random person who knew who the Gentlemen Pirate was" lol, flashback to my childhood pirate hyperfixation...

[@Morbos1000]

I'm a botanist so I've dealt with a lot of literature from the late 1700s and the 1800s. So you reading that title 7 minutes in made me laugh! Titles back then were essentially a summary of the book!

[@QddpprrQ]

Excellent video! And to answer your question at the end, Lucius is my favorite and istg if he's dead I'm going to riot.