Who was THE REAL POCAHONTAS? | Real American Princess | Hollywood versus history | @HistoryCalling

Summary

This video delves into the true story of Pocahontas, challenging myths perpetuated by popular media like Disney. It explores her marriage to John Rolfe, the first of its kind between a Native American and a European settler, and her journey to England as an ambassador of sorts. The narrative highlights her contributions to colonial efforts and her tragic early death. The video also reflects on Pocahontas' lasting legacy through her descendants, including actor Edward Norton, while questioning how much movies should alter historical events for entertainment. It offers a nuanced perspective on a figure often romanticized in popular culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pocahontas was married to John Rolfe in April 1614, marking the first known marriage between a European settler and a Native American.
• 😀 Their son, Thomas Rolfe, born in 1615, was the first child with mixed English and Native American heritage.
• 😀 The marriage was seen as a diplomatic union meant to foster peace between Native Americans and English settlers, similar to European royal marriages.
• 😀 Pocahontas and her family were used as symbols to encourage more English settlers to move to Virginia by showcasing her conversion to Christianity and assimilation into English culture.
• 😀 Pocahontas traveled to England in 1616 as part of a promotional tour, where she was treated like royalty and received by notable figures such as King James I and Queen Anne.
• 😀 Contrary to Disney's portrayal, Pocahontas did not travel to England on a diplomatic mission to prevent an attack on Native Americans.
• 😀 Upon arriving in England, Pocahontas and her companions were showcased in London, where she gained attention and respect.
• 😀 Pocahontas met John Smith again in England, and they rekindled their friendship, with Pocahontas asking him to call her child while she called him father.
• 😀 Pocahontas’s health deteriorated during the return journey to Virginia, and she tragically passed away in Gravesend, England, in March 1617 at the age of 19 or 22.
• 😀 Pocahontas was buried in St George's Church in Gravesend, and a statue was later erected in her memory. Her death was lamented by her husband, John Rolfe.
• 😀 Pocahontas’s son, Thomas Rolfe, grew up to become a tobacco farmer, and through his marriage, she has many descendants, including actor Edward Norton.

Q & A

What was John Rolfe's initial concern about marrying Pocahontas?

John Rolfe was initially concerned about marrying Pocahontas because of the cultural differences between them, and he even questioned whether his feelings for her were the result of the devil's work. However, he ultimately believed that God wanted him to convert Pocahontas and that she was spiritually capable and willing to embrace Christianity.

What were the historical significance of Pocahontas and John Rolfe's marriage?

Their marriage was the first between a white European and a Native American, and their son, Thomas Rolfe, is believed to be the first child with both English and Native American heritage. The union was seen as a way to promote peace and strengthen relations between the settlers and the native people.

How did the Virginia Company use Pocahontas's marriage to promote colonization?

The Virginia Company saw Pocahontas's marriage as an opportunity to promote colonization by showcasing her as a symbol of successful cultural integration. They sent her to England with her husband and son to entice English settlers to move to Virginia, portraying the settlers' interactions with Native Americans as peaceful.

What did Pocahontas's trip to England in 1616 entail, and how was she received?

Pocahontas's trip to England was meant to serve as a public relations effort to encourage colonization. She was treated like royalty, meeting with Queen Anne, the Bishop of London, and King James I. She was widely respected and even had her portrait engraved by Dutch artist Simon de Passe.

Did Pocahontas have a difficult relationship with King James I during her time in England?

No, Pocahontas was treated graciously by King James I, contrary to some portrayals in films. He ensured that she was respected and honored during her time in England, and there is no record of a difficult relationship between them.

What was Pocahontas's reaction when she reunited with John Smith in England?

When Pocahontas reunited with John Smith in England, she was happy to see him again and even asked him to refer to her child as his own. This reunion is likely where the Disney films drew inspiration for their fictionalized portrayal of Smith's role in Pocahontas's life.

What led to Pocahontas's death, and how old was she at the time?

Pocahontas died in March 1617 at around 22 years old, though some sources suggest she may have been as young as 19. The exact cause of her death is unknown, but she fell ill during her journey back to Virginia and had to be taken ashore at Gravesend, Kent, where she died.

What happened to Pocahontas's son, Thomas Rolfe, after her death?

After Pocahontas's death, Thomas Rolfe was left in England and raised by his paternal uncle, Henry Rolfe. He later returned to Virginia, where he became involved in the tobacco trade and married Jane Poythress, producing a daughter and continuing the legacy of Pocahontas.

How does Pocahontas's legacy continue in modern times?

Pocahontas's legacy continues through her descendants, including her 12x great-grandson, actor Edward Norton. Her story has been passed down through generations, and her bloodline remains a significant part of American history.

How does the Disney portrayal of Pocahontas differ from the historical reality?

The Disney films take significant creative liberties with Pocahontas's story, particularly in their depiction of events like the diplomatic mission and her relationship with John Smith. In reality, Pocahontas was married to John Rolfe, not John Smith, and her trip to England had no connection to a diplomatic mission. Additionally, her life ended tragically at a young age, unlike the happier endings portrayed in the films.