Brett

An auspicious day. They didn't know it at the time.

An auspicious day. They didn't know it at the time.

Didn't really work out for them, so I don't really know that it matters. But anyways, so between July 4th and the 13th, the expedition is sailing 120 miles up the coast until they reach a river issuing into the sea. And if you've ever played the game Sid Meier's Colonization...

Didn't really work out for them, so I don't really know that it matters. But anyways, so between July 4th and the 13th, the expedition is sailing 120 miles up the coast until they reach a river issuing into the sea. And if you've ever played the game Sid Meier's Colonization...

you know that the little spaces next to the river, that's where you want to build your colony because there's all sorts of resources, fishing, the ability to sort of park your ship further out and take little boats in. It's a good place to be. So they're looking for this kind of thing.

you know that the little spaces next to the river, that's where you want to build your colony because there's all sorts of resources, fishing, the ability to sort of park your ship further out and take little boats in. It's a good place to be. So they're looking for this kind of thing.

And on July 13th, Amadis and Barlow take possession of the land and begin exploring the region, which they would call Virginia. Confusingly, now North Carolina. So it's not Virginia. It's North Carolina is what they called Virginia after the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth. So obvious name, right? So for the first two days, they remain in this sort of general area. They're conducting expeditions.

And on July 13th, Amadis and Barlow take possession of the land and begin exploring the region, which they would call Virginia. Confusingly, now North Carolina. So it's not Virginia. It's North Carolina is what they called Virginia after the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth. So obvious name, right? So for the first two days, they remain in this sort of general area. They're conducting expeditions.

And on the third day, they finally run into some of the natives who are hanging out. And from mid-July to August 1584, they're establishing what are initially friendly relationships with two of the Native American groups in the area. They're trading cloth and wine in exchange for meat and fish.

And on the third day, they finally run into some of the natives who are hanging out. And from mid-July to August 1584, they're establishing what are initially friendly relationships with two of the Native American groups in the area. They're trading cloth and wine in exchange for meat and fish.

from the natives because, you know, they have sort of more of the manufactured goods type thing, but what they really need is food. And so, and the natives are much better at catching the fish, catching the game than they are.

from the natives because, you know, they have sort of more of the manufactured goods type thing, but what they really need is food. And so, and the natives are much better at catching the fish, catching the game than they are.

Yes, there you go. And initially, things are pretty good. They're dining together. They're sort of exchanging stories. Some of the natives are joining their party as translators. And everything's fine. And they spend about four to six weeks exploring the area, learning about the population, testing the soil, sort of figuring out exactly what they want to do.

Yes, there you go. And initially, things are pretty good. They're dining together. They're sort of exchanging stories. Some of the natives are joining their party as translators. And everything's fine. And they spend about four to six weeks exploring the area, learning about the population, testing the soil, sort of figuring out exactly what they want to do.

And at this point, you know, they're not meant to stay. This is a scouting expedition. So they decide, hey, we're going to go back to England. They let the natives know. And actually, two of them, the Croatoan Manteo and the Roanoke Wanchese, Join them. So these two guys are going to go back to England with this group of colonists. And I always, you know, I forget what movie it was.

And at this point, you know, they're not meant to stay. This is a scouting expedition. So they decide, hey, we're going to go back to England. They let the natives know. And actually, two of them, the Croatoan Manteo and the Roanoke Wanchese, Join them. So these two guys are going to go back to England with this group of colonists. And I always, you know, I forget what movie it was.

There have been several movies made about the colonization of America. But in one of them, it depicts a scene like this where a couple of the American Indians go back. And I always imagine, what must that have been like? Because you're in this sort of like green, fertile, natural place with very little development. And then you get on this rickety boat. You sail across the ocean for months.

There have been several movies made about the colonization of America. But in one of them, it depicts a scene like this where a couple of the American Indians go back. And I always imagine, what must that have been like? Because you're in this sort of like green, fertile, natural place with very little development. And then you get on this rickety boat. You sail across the ocean for months.

And then you get to this massive city that is probably astounding in what it looks like. But also, you know, all the problems of a massive city, particularly in the 1500s. You can only imagine what London was like. And I just can't even imagine what that was like to see that for those two guys.

And then you get to this massive city that is probably astounding in what it looks like. But also, you know, all the problems of a massive city, particularly in the 1500s. You can only imagine what London was like. And I just can't even imagine what that was like to see that for those two guys.