There was a real Captain Blood. He wasn not a pirate but he did manage to steal the crown jewels of England in 1671. He didn't get far and was apprehended along with the jewels. King Charles II pardoned him and given land in Ireland worth 500 pounds per year. Charles may have been impressed with Blood's daring.
Sabatini certainly knew about this Captain Blood. Both practiced medicine and both had Irish connections. On the other hand, the fictional Captain Blood's exploits were set later and were heavily influenced by Sir Henry Morgan.
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