Black Sails
Summary
Although his character inBlack Sailsis understandably defined by his piracy , Captain Benjamin Hornigold also had an interesting historical connexion to the English Jacobite movement . Portrayed by British thespian Patrick Lyster , the real Hornigold had a complicated life history incorporating many different political alliance and tie-up . Although he is a supporting type in the show , reason and appreciating these inclination provides crucial historical context to the overarchingBlack Sailsstory , urinate the dramatic play even richer in the process .
While many today consider the Golden Age of Piracy through a romantic crystalline lens as an act of personal rebellion against the condition quo , Black Sailsmakes it clear that the truth was much more complicated . While some pirate were for sure attract by the thrill of escapade , others fell into the profession almost by chance as a result of a tumultuous political clime . The Jacobite movement form a cardinal part of this landscape painting . As such , understanding its history helps throw away light source on many ofBlack Sails ' literal character , in some cases even explaining how they became outlaws in the first position .
Captain Benjamin Hornigold Was A Jacobite Before He Turned To Piracy
According toBlack Sails , Hornigold was an avowed Jacobite before change state to plagiarism , identifying him as a supporter of the Stuart dynasty of British milkweed butterfly . The truthful extent of this political inclination is unknown , as many historic generator are ill-defined as to the deepness of his commitment . However , the show relieve oneself this affiliation an important part of both his and his gang ’s identity , while also faithfully honoring the import of the Jacobite crusade in the epoch .
Learning about the real pirate Israel Hands and his actual relationship with Blackbeard is full of life to understand his role in Black Sails .
Hornigold ’s connexion with the Jacobites is clearly established inBlack Sailsseason 1 . In a conversation with Hal Gates , Hornigold let on that he has latterly discovered that James Francis Edward Stuart ( the Jacobite claimant to the crapper ) has of late fled to France . This home Hornigold in the difficult position of make to reconcile his man to change from Catholic insurrectionist to dim-witted criminals with no hope of examine their preferred Billie Jean Moffitt King ascend the throne . This Jacobite connection ( and its nonstarter as a political campaign ) facilitate explain why a man like Hornigold could find himself storm into piracy despite initially possess very different intentions .
James Stuart & The Jacobites Role In Black Sails Explained
The Jacobites play a full of life role in establishing the so - called Golden Age of Piracy in whichBlack Sailsis solidification . The political conflict between the Houses of Stuart and Hanover formed part of the backdrop to the War of the Spanish Succession , a Europe - wide battle that had orbicular implications . It was during this war that privateering , a form of formally canonical plagiarisation , became peculiarly prevailing in the Caribbean .
However , once the War of the Spanish Succession fetch up in 1714 and George I usurp the potty of Great Britain , many Stuart - commiserate Jacobite privateers were left politically roofless . Combined with an aptitude for larceny honed by years as privateer , many of these world turned to full - blown piracy as a mean of name their support . This linguistic context explain how characters like James Hornigold , who in some ways seem very different from the democratic conception of a bloody-minded murderous pirate , could be impel into such an ill-famed profession inBlack Sails .
