On May 12, 1641, Thomas Wentworth, the Earl of Strafford was executed. It was a pivotal moment in the relationship between King Charles and the Parliament he would be at war with just a few months later. Strafford also gave a speech to the Lords earlier in the day. This, however, is the speech he gave Read more about Execution speech of the Earl of Strafford[…]
Background On May 12, 1641, Thomas Wentworth, the Earl of Strafford was executed. It was a pivotal moment in the relationship between King Charles and the Parliament he would soon be at war with. This may not strictly speaking be American history, but it’s very connected to the history we’re discussing right now, and though Read more about The Earl of Strafford’s execution speech to the Lords in the Tower[…]
Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more The first self-governing colony In 1630, 1500 Puritans sailed for New England. Their charter had had a loophole allowing them to move the company to New England, making Massachusetts Bay the first colony completely governed from America (unbeknownst to the king). With 4 months to prepare for winter, Read more about Massachusetts Bay 3: The Winthrop Fleet[…]
Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more Paving the way Two years before the plans for the Massachusetts Bay Company were finalized, John Endicott went to Naumkeag – which he renamed Salem – to help relieve the area’s first Puritan settlement, created by John Lyford and some of his associates. He would also help pave Read more about Massachusetts Bay 2: The founding of Salem[…]
Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more The origins of the Great Migration King Charles was an Arminian – a Protestant who believed in high church ritual, Episcopal succession, social hierarchy, and royal prerogative. The Puritans believed in the opposite – simple services, no bishops, and a society built around the family unit and local Read more about Massachusetts Bay 1: King Charles and the Puritans[…]
Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more A religious and financial crisis The Lyford Affair and the story of Emmanuel Altham show how precarious even a stable colony could be in the Jacobean Era. External financial backing was vital, and a minor error could ruin the finances of even the wealthiest person. Then, when Read more about Plymouth 7: The Lyford Affair[…]
[mc4wp_form id=”123″] Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more Wessagusset Relations with Massasoit were repaired when Winslow helped to heal the sachem from Typhus. After he did that, Massasoit told Hobbamock that the Massachusetts were planning to wipe out both Plymouth and Wessagusset (the colony founded by Weston’s men) in the same day. Standish took Read more about Plymouth 6: Wessagusset[…]
[mc4wp_form id=”123″] Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more In 1622 … Relations with the Poconoquets deteriorated thanks to Squanto’s manipulation, and Bradford’s unwillingness to turn over his friend for execution. The Pilgrims built a fort, and the town was overrun by “strangers” who didn’t share the original settlers’ Calvinist inclinations. Food became a Read more about Plymouth 5: One year later[…]
[mc4wp_form id=”123″] Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more The First Thanksgiving The Pilgrims reached a peace agreement with Massasoit of the Poconoquet tribe – a sachem with alliances across New England. They spent the next few months growing crops and strengthening their peace with the local tribes. A year after they’d set sail, Read more about Plymouth 4: The First Thanksgiving[…]
[mc4wp_form id=”123″] Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more Founding Plymouth Colony and meeting the Indians After trekking through snow and water, witnessing the first New England birth, and many tragic deaths, the English founded Plymouth Plantation, a tiny town on a hill with a freshwater creek and 7 houses. After growing increasingly unnerved about the Read more about Plymouth 3: Welcome, Englishmen[…]