Edward Kenway is the Assassin's Creed protagonist who captains the Jackdaw in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
Edward is a Welsh privateer who becomes a pirate during the Golden Age of Piracy. After taking the clothing and identity of an Assassin, he becomes entangled in the conflict between the Assassins and Templars while sailing through the Caribbean. The Jackdaw is his ship and can be upgraded throughout the game.
Edward is also part of a family line central to the series. He is the father of Haytham Kenway and the grandfather of Ratonhnhaké:ton, also known as Connor, the protagonist of Assassin's Creed III. Edward, Haytham, and Connor are therefore related, but they are different characters with different loyalties and historical settings.