The lecture is an hour and a half presentation which begins with a quick chronicle of early European and native contact and conflict in the South Shore area starting with the vikings right up until the arrival of the pilgrims in 1620. The focus will then turn to the tensions that broke out with the Masachuset Tribe and the Wessagusset Colony which was north of Plymouth and founded in 1622. By utilizing several primary sources, the story of how relations between the natives and the English broke down and escalated into violence in 1623 will be told. Critical questions will be asked: What were the causes of the supposed native conspiracy against the colonies? Who was responsible for incurring the wrath of the natives? Was the decision to make a preemptive strike on the Massachuset justified? The lecture is fully illustrated with photographs of the actual sites where events occured as well as artistic depictions of the events themselves.

This lecture would be appropriate for more academic audiences but can be modified for the general public.

Please click on link to the right to gain a better understanding of this fascinating but much forgotten event in history!