# Stede Bonnet — A General History of the Pirates character guide

> Stede Bonnet in A General History of the Pirates by Captain Charles Johnson.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Bonnet, Major Bonnet, Major Stede Bonnet, The Major

**First appearance:** 0006-iv-of-major-stede-bonnet-and-his-crew

## Snapshot

A wealthy landowner who traded comfort for a pirate's deck, Major Bonnet became the gentleman pirate whose inexperience was as notable as his daring.

## Who they are

Stede Bonnet gives up a settled estate and respectable marriage to command a pirate ship, a decision that puzzles his crew and delights the reading public. He lacks the brutal instincts of his peers, yet his stubbornness and sense of honor keep him in the game long after wiser men would have retired. His story matters because it tests whether courage and breeding can substitute for seamanship in a world that respects only results.

## Relationships

### [Edward Teach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se/characters/edward_teach)

_professional_

Teach briefly commanded Bonnet's ship and acted as a mentor, though Bonnet was a reluctant subordinate.

### [Howel Davis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se/characters/howel_davis)

_professional_

Davis and Bonnet were both pirate captains who may have coordinated attacks or shared intelligence.

### [Edward Teach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se/characters/edward_teach)

_professional_

Teach briefly commanded Bonnet's ship and acted as a mentor, though Bonnet was a reluctant subordinate.

## In the story

### [Of Captain Teach Alias Blackbeard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se/chapters/iii-of-captain-teach-alias-blackbeard)

A gentleman pirate whose sloop was taken over by Teach's man Richards, with Bonnet brought aboard Teach's ship.

### [Of Major Stede Bonnet and His Crew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se/chapters/iv-of-major-stede-bonnet-and-his-crew)

A wealthy Barbados gentleman who turned pirate, commanded the Revenge, later consorted with Blackbeard, surrendered and then relapsed, was captured, escaped, recaptured, and tried.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se/characters/stede_bonnet
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_history_of_the_pirates_se/characters