Ubisoft is going into one well-mined territory of history with Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, but infusing a centuries-old feud into the Caribbean Sea circa 1715 could offer a genuinely new take on the 'Golden Age of Piracy.'
While scholars debate the actual beginning and end of this 'golden age,' a rough estimate would place it from 1690-1725 - putting Assassin's Creed 4 smack in the middle. Why did this time period become the most lucrative for maritime bandits, and produce some of history's most infamous pirates? To understand the circumstances, and just how many plot lines could be utilized by Ubisoft to expand on the Templar/Assassin rivalry, a bit of context is needed.More
Starting around 1650, an increase in shipping in and around Bermuda, and the constant struggle for power in the area between Spain, France and England made Jamaica and Tortuga, Haiti particular hot spots of pirate activity. Tortuga (familiar to any Pirates of the Caribbean fan) became a haven for buccaneers as the nations fought for control over the island's fortifications. With their respective navies too busy with one another to worry about plundering or theft, pirates had a relative free ride, aided by the French governor's importing of over 1,600 prostitutes in an effort to calm the notorious rogues (it didn't work).
With the ability to operate among the warring nations, and a freedom from larger political clashes, piracy thrived, as did Tortuga. It's highly likely that Edward Kenway will be frequenting the pirate port at some point, and if the developers recreate the settlement with accuracy in mind, players are in for quite a sight.
While all of this was taking place through the latter half of the 17th Century, the North American settlements being constructed by France, England, Spain and the Netherlands meant that sooner or later, something was going to give. So when King Charles II of Spain died in 1700, and his successor was left in question - along with the vast territories owned by Spain in and around the Gulf of Mexico - the world's superpowers made their move.
Spain divided itself in alliances with England on one side and France on the other, thus beginning the War of Spanish Succession, which raged on for over a decade. Ultimately, the war was ended and the assets divided between each side; the first signs of a 'balance of power' being judged necessary for world governance. But after thousands of privateers and sailors were relieved of military duty, the stage was set for an era of a completely different nature.
When British participation in the war ended in 1713, a sudden influx of professionally-trained (and unemployed) English and American seamen met the increase in trade agreements that turned the Caribbean into one of the busiest shipping routes in the world - kicking off the undisputed years of the 'golden age of piracy.' And the exact time in which Black Flag is set, with one such English sailor as its protagonist.
As can be guessed, it was this period of time that gave rise to some of history's most infamous pirates; unemployed sailors and former officers whose names (and nicknames) would soon become the stuff of legend. A few of these men and women are confirmed to appear in Black Flag, and a quick glance proves just how easy it would be to tell a single story containing each.
Much of the story will likely focus on one of history's most underrated and overlooked pirates, Captain Benjamin Hornigold. His name may not be a household one, but his second-in-command Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach certainly is.
Next: The Famous Men (and Women) Edward Kenway will likely be meeting...
Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach (c. 1680-1718)
A former privateer during Queen Anne's War (the North American theater of the War of the Spanish Succession), Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach joined up with Hornigold in 1716, working together to attack Spanish and French ships in the area. The pair were one of the most successful pirate alliances of the time, bringing the likes of Stede Bonnet and Samuel 'Black Sam' Bellamy into their crew as well.
Before anyone thinks that 'Blackbeard' is as menacing as his portraits or name might imply, it's worth noting that when 'Black Sam' - also known by the name 'Prince of Pirates' for his good manners and mercy towards defeated crew and captains - challenged Hornigold's captaincy based on his unwillingness to attack English ships, they parted ways amicably.
Teach went with Hornigold, as did some of the crew. Since 'Blackbeard' is confirmed to be a character in Black Flag - and we assume in a large role, as he's narrating the announcement trailer - it stands to reason that Hornigold may be as well. Given that Bonnet also served as part of Teach's crew on board the Queen Anne's Revenge, the Bardadian land owner is also a likely guest star.
If we're safe in our assumption that AC4 won't feature an all-male cast, it's extremely likely that either Anne Bonny or Mary Read will be making an appearance. Both women became two of the most famous female pirates in history as part of 'Calico Jack' Rackham's crew, former crewman of the brigand Charles Vane (confirmed to be in the game) and the man credited with inventing the Jolly Roger - the 'skull and crossed swords' - as we know it. If Assassin's Creed tradition holds, we'd expect Edward Kenway to be instrumental in that iconic image's design.
We'd put our money on Rackham and his crew playing a significant role in Edward's journey, not only due to his reputation as a reckless and fearless sailor. On the night of October 20, 1720, while Calico and much of his crew drunkenly slept aboard their captured twelve ton sloop, the William, the British pirate hunter Jonathan Barnet struck. As Calico tried to rise from his drunken stupor Anne Bonny, Mary Read and "another unknown man," according to existing accounts, attempted to fight off Barnet's men.
'Calico Jack' Rackham, Mary Read & Anne Bonny
All were captured, with Rackham later hanged for his piracy and Read dying while imprisoned. Meanwhile, Anne Bonny - who claimed to be pregnant at the time, and thus had her execution delayed - was never seen or heard from again. It's been assumed that she escaped due to her father's business connections, and likely adopted a new name and identity. Is it possible Edward was the mystery accomplice, possibly even romantically involved with Bonny?
If we were the conspiracy-theory type, we'd have to ask ourselves: could - we emphasize, this is just a theory - could Caroline Scott, Edward Kenway's first wife, actually be one of Bonny's aliases?
While our suspicion that the story of the Kenway family is one that incorporates both the world's most famous pirates and America's founding fathers is just a theory, it's clear Edward is going to be getting up to plenty of extracurricular activities in Black Flag's campaign. We'd say that Ubisoft's re-writing of history should always be taken with a grain of salt, but in this case, the historical accounts might speak for themselves.
If nothing else, this brief dose of history should prove that the time and setting of Black Flag offers dozens of opportunities for the developers to get creative. Since the realm of pirates is one filled to the brim with colorful characters and roguish scoundrels, we'd say any concerns of the main character or surrounding cast being boring are likely unnecessary.
What aspects of the 'Golden Age of Pirates' do you hope to see Black Flag focus on? What do you make of our theories? Be sure to leave your hopes and thoughts in the comments.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag releases October 29, 2013 for the PS3, Xbox 360, PC, and Wii U. A next-gen release date has not been announced.
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