The Unfolding Rebellion: Hostages

The Unfolding Rebellion: Hostages

The Unfolding Rebellion is a multi-part series that tells the story of Bacon’s Rebellion in real time. Each program portrays the complexities of the rebellion through first-person perspectives describing the hopes, fears, and consequences each faced during and after the uprising. The Unfolding Rebellion series presents the events of the rebellion as they occurred, as tensions flamed over the course of several months and fizzled after the death of the rebellion’s charismatic leader. Join us to learn more about the most significant event in Virginia’s colonial history that most have never heard of.

Hostages, Fall 1676: On their approach to besiege Jamestown, Bacon and his men have erected earthworks at Glasshouse point. To protect themselves from cannon and gunfire, Bacon’s followers kidnapped the wives of prominent allies of Governor Berkeley and forced them to parade on top of the earthworks as human shields. Now, having been released and returned home, one of the kidnapped women, Alice Page, recounts the harrowing experience to her friend Ann Cotton. How will this ordeal change the rest of her life?

This program is supported by The Jamestowne Society.