King Philip’s War, one of America’s first and costliest wars, began in 1675 as a raid on several farms in Swansea, MA but quickly escalated into a full-scale war engulfing all of southern New England. In a video presentation, author Eric B. Schultz describes the major events of the War and how it was interpreted at the time and many years later. Click here for a 52-minute video of Schultz’s March 21, 2024 presentation by Wayland Cable Television.

Schultz begins by describing the lineage of the Pokanoket Massasoit Metacom (King Philip), under whose leadership the War broke out following a trial of three Native warriors accused of the death of Praying Indian John Sassamon in early June, 1675.

Metacom escaped from his homeland at Mt. Hope located in today’s Bristol and organized attacks on Middleborough and Mendon during the next month.

After the massacre of hundreds of Narragansett people in Southern Rhode Island, that tribe joined the War against the English. Following a successful attack on Sudbury (click to enlarge), MA in April, 1676, Native warriors began to run out of food and amunition. The English, led by Benjamin Church, got the upper hand and finally killed Metacom and captured his general, Anawan, in Rehoboth, thus ending the War.