The Worst Pirate I’ve Ever Heard of…

Stede Bonnet, born about 1688, was a moderately wealthy landowner, a member of the aristocracy of Barbados. His family had owned land and slaves on the island for over ninety years. His 400 acres of farmland, 94 slaves, liberal education and service in the island’s militia all spoke of a successful life and his marriage to the daughter of another prominent landowner was further icing on the cake.


And then he lost his mind.
Bonnet had endured some tragedy. He was orphaned at the age of six, but had responsible guardians who cared for him and nurtured his estate until he came of age. And after his marriage, his first child, Allamby Bonnet, died in infancy. Neither of these events was uncommon for the time, but the death of his child seems to have thrown him into a depression. The birth of three healthy children did not console him. 
Friends said that he “Had a disorder of the mind,” and that it was caused by “some unhappiness in the married state.” I personally wonder if this means he was gay and in the closet. Since homosexual activity was both illegal and punishable by death at the time, he would have had strong incentive to hide any wayward sexual urges. 
Or it could simply be that he didn’t like his wife.


At any rate, Bonnet came up with a daring plan. Though he knew nothing about ships, navigation, or naval warfare, he decided to run away and become a pirate.Read more »