This flag first appeared in Mariners Mirror in 1912, later appearing with horns in The Blackwall Frigates in 1922, dated 1704. It was first associated with Blackbeard in the 1978 book Pirates of the Spanish Main. Blackbeard’s flag is depicted in the 1726 version of A General History of the Pyrates as a skull possibly with two crossbones. Blackbeard’s flag was described by one captive, Thomas Knight, as having a ‘Death Head’ (CSPC Vol 30, 1718, #298.ii). The Boston News-Letter reported Blackbeard’s ship flying ‘Black Flags with Death Heads in them’ when attacking the merchant ship Protestant Caesar (Boston News-Letter, 16/6/1718).