Captain Benjamin Hornigold
Background
Benjamin "Ben" Hornigold is the captain of the Royal Lion in the West Indies and in charge of the fort on Nassau on New Providence Island.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 3 III. played by Patrick Lyster
Gates goes to the fort and is brought to Hornigold by Phillip. Hornigold tells Phillip that the chair he is sitting on came from the Plymouth office of Sir Francis Drake and tells him that if Gates ever lays a finger on it, Phillip is to shoot Gates dead. Gates tells Hornigold that Captain Flint is offering one share per crew member and two shares for use of his ship when they catch the L'Urca. Hornigold agrees to the offer and he and Gates shake hands.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 4 IV. played by Patrick Lyster
Hornigold confronts Mr. Scott about Eleanor Guthrie humiliating Captain Charles Vane and mentions that other captains are worried about losing their livelihoods, because they may have upset Eleanor. He tells him that every morning he sees Captain Lilywhite raving to others about the problems of having only one person to sell their goods. He then warns Mr. Scott to control Eleanor.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 5 V. played by Patrick Lyster
Lilywhite riles up a crowd of people and accuses the Guthrie's of stealing their money. One of the pirates sees Eleanor and charges at her, but is stopped by Hornigold. Hornigold suggests to Eleanor that she makes some announcement that debts will be paid. She refuses and tells O'Malley to bring Captain Naft and his quartermaster Mr. Walker, Captain Lawrence, Mr. Harrison, and Frasier to her. During Eleanor's meeting, she tells those assembled that despite what Richard Guthrie said, she is going to continue the trading company. She tells Naft and Lawrence that they lead the two least profitable pirate ships. She suggests they form a consortium and use their ships for trade versus piracy. She asks Hornigold to bless the idea, and he agrees as long as she lifts the ban on Vane. Eleanor refuses and Hornigold tells her that she has until noon to change her mind or he will stop having his men defend her tavern.