Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This episode is about the kidnapping and ransom of Pocahontas in 1613, the romancing of her by John Rolfe, her conversion to Christianity, and their marriage in 1614, which settled the First Anglo-Powhatan War. We look at the two protagonists, their different personalities, their motives, and the extent of their emotional attachment. My primary source for this episode is a very interesting book written only in 2004 by Camilla Townsend, “Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma.” Professor Townsend reads all the various accounts of Pocahontas’ life critically, in the sense of thoughtfully, trying to imagine what she must have felt under the circumstances described by the various European men who encountered her and wrote down what they believed happened.
Twitter: @TheHistoryOfTh2
Facebook: The History of the Americans Podcast
References for this episode
Camilla Townsend, Pocahontas And The Powhatan Dilemma
John Philip Sousa, “Powhatan’s Daughter March”
Errata: I misspoke when I said that Thomas Rolfe would have many children – he had many grandchildren, all descended from his only daughter, Jane Rolfe, who would marry Robert Bolling. Their son John Bolling would have six children, all of whom would marry and have children of their own.
Another good one Jack!
You must be one of the first to hear it!