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According to legend, the pirate Blackbeard (1680-1718) was a physical giant with an enormous appetite, had 14 wives and drank vast amounts of rum long after his crew had passed out. How much of this was true?

Answer: Very little. Blackbeard, real name Edward Teach, did not perform any of the feats attributed to him. He was however a powerfully built man, who went on fighting for several minutes after receiving five musket shots and numerous sword wounds, when he died in 1718.

Source: A Brief History of the Caribbean by Jan Rogozinski

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