Eric Yannis in his Other States of America history podcast presents his own take on how tension between the Pokanoket leadership of the Wampanoag Paramount Chiefdom and the English settlers boiled over into King Philip’s War (1675-1676), one of the deadliest wars per capita in colonial history. Click here for a 100-minute video of his presentation posted on April 3, 2024.

(Above) The Pokanoket Massasoit Metacom, otherwise known as King Philip, was thought to be plotting a war against the English settlers uniting tribes in the region following the murder of Praying Indian John Sassamon in February, 1675.

Philip was able to get the cooperation of Pocasset Chief Weetamoo, who had married Philip’s older brother, before Philip engaged his own and other tribes to inflict major damage on dozens of English settlements throughout the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies.

(Above, left) John Eliot converted hundreds of Native people to Christianity, but during the War he forced them into starvation on Deer Island. (Above, center) Settler Mary Rowlandson reported in detail on Philip’s warriors after they held her in captivity for eleven weeks. (Above, right) Col. Benjamin Church led friendly Native warriors against Philip, eventually killing him near his home at Mount Hope.