Edward Teague

"What? You've seen it all, done it all, you survived. That’s the trick, isn’t it? To survive?" "It’s not just about living forever, Jackie. The trick is living with yourself forever."

- Jack Sparrow and Teague

Teague was the Keeper of the Code, former Pirate Lord of Madagascar, with the Brethren Court. He is also the father of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Early life
Captain Teague was an infamous pirate who commanded the awed and fearful respect of all Pirate Lords in the Fourth Brethren Court, and was once a very feared pirate in the world; said to have done many things. He was said to be born in British India. He was Pirate Lord of Madagascar, but he later resigned to become keeper of the Pirata Codex. Throughout his son's, Jack Sparrow, childhood, he was always there when his boy needed him most, such as knocking out the pirate Rusty Knickers when he threatened to cut off Jack's hand or saving Jack from being sold into slavery by Captain Lucille Graven. When he left the Court, Teague gave his seat to his son, who became a Pirate Lord of the Caribbean Sea, while Teague later became Keeper of the Code.

Keeper of the Code
"The Code is the law."

- Teague to the Brethren Court

In his time as Keeper of the Code, Teague mainly resided in Shipwreck Cove. Teague was reunited with his son when Jack entered the Turkish prison to procure a drawing of the Key to the Dead Man's Chest. Teague inspired Jack to escape the prison before his captors could hang him. Knowing that his son was safe, for the time being, Teague returned to Shipwreck Cove.

"As per the Code, an act of war&mdash;and this be exactly that&mdash;can only be declared by the Pirate King." "You made that up." "Did I now? I call on Captain Teague, Keeper of the Code."

- Hector Barbossa and Jack Sparrow during the Fourth Brethren Court



During the meeting of the Fourth Brethren Court, presided over by Hector Barbossa and Jack, Teague was called upon to cite from the Pirata Codex. Teague entered the meeting when he shot Sri Sumbhajee's aide Askay for demeaning the Code's importance. As the Pirata Codex was brought in, Teague whistled for the Prison Dog, who held the keys to unlock the Codex. After he citing a section from the Codex, the Pirate Lords decided to vote for the new Pirate King. While the Lords were voting, Teague sat down and played "Only Found Out Yesterday" on his guitar. The Pirate Lords began to argue after Elizabeth Swann became the new King, but stopped after Jack questioned them about not keeping to the Code, in which Teague broke one of his guitar strings and glaring at them.

After the meeting, Teague offered Jack advice concerning the latter's search for immortality. He also reunited Jack with his mother&mdash;whose shrunken head Teague carried around with him. Giving the head to his son, Jack would later hang the head on his own belt.

The Brethren then exited the hall anxiously, but were confronted by soldiers of the East India Trading Company, led by Black Coats who had infiltrated the city. Teague was trapped on the South Docks, and he was able to defeat his enemies with the assistance of his son.

The next day, Teague witnessed the battle around Calypso's maelstrom from his ship, the Troubadour. He and his crew celebrated after the defeat of Lord Cutler Beckett, head of the East India Trading Company, and Davy Jones and his crewmen. Instead of cheering and dancing, which many others did, Teague merely took his hat and tossed it into the air and smiled over the Brethren's victory.

Later life
"I heard you were putting together a crew." "If enough people keep saying it, then it must be true." "I heard where you're headed. The Fountain." "Have you been there?" "Does this face looks like it's been to the Fountain of Youth?" "...Depends on the light."

- Teague and Jack Sparrow



A few years later, Teague would cross paths with his son again; this time in London. When Jack escaped from King George's Palace, he was confronted by one of the King's soldiers who nearly shot him. Teague shot the soldier in the back, thus once again saving Jack. They continued their brief reunion inside the Captain's Daughter tavern. While talking in the tavern, they discussed about Jack's new trinket having his own tooth on it. Teague then went to the matter at hand: Jack's search for the Fountain of Youth. He gave Jack information about the Profane Ritual, as well as one of the items needed for it. As Jack became interested in finding the items, Teague advised his son against the search, warning him that the Fountain would "test" him.

Appearance, possessions and traits
"Teague can be...rough...on those who annoy him." "I’ve heard..."

- Jack Sparrow and Esmeralda

Teague wore clothes that complemented his role as a pirate captain. As part of his ensemble, he wore a long crimson frock coat embroidered with a faded white floral design and a decorated dark brown waistcoat to match. A sash was tied around Teague's waist constantly. The undershirt that Teague wore was decorated with much more frill than those of most pirates. His dark hair was stylized in long dreadlocks adorned with beads and small crosses, and was held back by a dark green bandanna. Teague also wore a large bicorne adorned with pheasant feathers to symbolize his role as captain. On his hands were three rings, one of which he owns is in the form of a metal skull.

Like any other captain, Teague possessed a sword as well as a flintlock pistol, which was put to use when faced with dissenters of the Code. He respects the Pirate Code enough to kill people who show or even mention a disrespect of it. Teague was known to be a "stay at home" type pirate as well as an aristocrat. Given the reverence and fear the other Pirate Lords give him, he was most likely a fearsome and successful pirate.

Even Jack Sparrow feared Teague, but mostly respected him, though this might be because he's his father. There were many occasions where Teague saved his son from disasters. Like when he and Jack were captured by Lawrence Norrington and taken prisoner aboard his ship.

Teague took up the guitar at some point in his life and became quite good at playing it on occasions.

Behind the scenes

 * Teague was described by Keith Richards in the commentary about his character as being a "stay at home" pirate where Jack was a "working man" pirate, and also being like an aristocrat.
 * This character was referred to as both Teague and Grant during production, though writer Terry Rossio confirmed that "Captain Teague" was the character's name in the script. However, Johnny Depp confirmed the familial connection in Total Film, though the original script did not address it.
 * Johnny Depp based the character of Jack Sparrow partly on the appearance and manner of Keith Richards, who was approached to play Jack's father in Dead Man's Chest (then named "Grant Sparrow"), but was unavailable at the time. The character was voiced by Jack Angel in the At World's End video game.
 * At least one of the three rings Captain Teague wears (the skull ring) is of Richards' personal effects, which he owns as a member of the Rolling Stones.
 * In the At World's End video game Teague advised Jack to find Tia Dalma in Port Royal and with her help assemble the Brethren Court. In the game he is clean-shaved, while he has a beard in the films.
 * There has been some controversy towards Teague's first name. In the At World's End video game, while playing as him when fighting enemies, Teague can be heard stating: "That's what you get for challenging Edward Teague".
 * During the Father's Day event on Pirates of the Caribbean Online, the player can save captain Teague who is imprisoned on a British Royal Navy ship.
 * It is possible that Teague's supposed name, "Edward Teague", is based off "Edward Teach", the birth name of the infamous real-life pirate Blackbeard, who was active in 1717-18. Teague's clothing and facial hair are similar to written accounts of Blackbeard's appearance.
 * It also seems that the figure of this character is based off of the original captain of the pirate ship, the Wicked Wench, on the POTC ride.

Appearances

 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow: Silver
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow: Dance of the Hours
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow: Sins of the Father
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom
 * Pirates of the Caribbean Online
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (video game)
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides