1600-1750 British Mercantilism Rhetoric History Presentation

Presenting the 17^th century in our costumes that I sewed based on historical research.

We represented various historical people within the 17th century, focusing on governments, the Age of Reason, and mercantilism.

Then we stepped into the first half of the 18th century to extend our presentation on mercantilism.

1619 FIRST THANKSGIVING IN AMERICA

My son portrayed Captain John Woodliff who had survived the starving time of Jamestown.

In 1619 he was commissioned to board passengers from Berkely, England en route to Jamestown, to settle a new colony.

Remembering the starving time, he insisted on only taking laborers and not gentlemen.

On December 4, 1619, they landed at a site near Jamestown, later to be named Berkeley.

The men gave thanks, historically documented as the first British colonial Thanksgiving in America, two years before the pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts.

Becoming History with the 17th century 1619 Captain John Woodliffe of the Berkeley One Hundred in Virginia — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

1660 KING LOUIS XIV FRENCH COURT

Portraying a French lady in the court of King Louis XIV, I attended the queen.

As I told the inside story of the development of the French absolute monarchy, I shared how King Henry IV tightened control in the late 16th century after the religious wars.

The country had been decimated and excellent leadership was paramount to France’s survival. {{{which later becomes a model for Napoleon in the aftermath of the French Revolution}}}

Henry IV provided strict governmental control, while considering the needs of the people.

Meanwhile Cardinal Richelieu followed this pattern as did Cardinal Mazarin after him.

After King Louis XIV ascended the throne, he continued absolute control, but without once considering the needs of the people.

Hence, the people started pulling away their support of the king.

If his successors choose to follow this pattern, they should watch their neck!

I shared how to this day in 1660, the people of France greatly esteem King Henry IV, a model that King Louis XIV would be wise to follow.

{{{Through the presentation I used a coffee table picture book, purchased at the used bookstore for a couple of dollars, of the many palaces of France, including the most recent one, Versailles.}}}

1660 gown drafted and draped from Janet Arnold Patterns of Fashion — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

1657 ENGLISH CIVIL WAR AND OLIVER CROMWELL’S RULE

My daughter portrayed a young Anglican lady from England, whose father supported Cromwell and the beheading of King Charles I.

Going into detail about the Long Parliament and the Rump Parliament, both of which her father was involved, she explained her disagreements with him.

sharing details of the English Civil War at our 17th century Becoming History presentation — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH’S BRANDENBURG CONCERTO

While enjoying the background music of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto, we feasted on dishes inspired by the flavors imported from afar, through mercantilism of course!

MERCANTILISM FEAST

All the recipes came from one of the Colonial Williamsburg cookbooks.

Since 17th century England enacted the Navigation Acts requiring products from other lands to be shipped to England first before going to the colonies as part of their mercantilism economy, I included those exotic spices in the dishes:

We had East India Company Fried Chicken, seasoned with cinnamon and white pepper, carrots glazed in two ways with ginger, rice pilaf with saffron, and salmagundi, a British salad with protein, with dressing that had a touch of cayenne pepper.

The spices from afar were neatly arranged on a plate for a guessing game during dinner: which spice is which, and where did it come from?

spices imported through mercantilism activity for Becoming History with the 17th century Feast — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

Then for dessert, chocolate!

historic chocolate in reproduced 17th century vase for Becoming History with the 17th century Feast — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

Since chocolate was mainly drunk and not eaten in the colonial era, our chocolate was thusly served.

I explained how France came onto the world stage as the ultimate in fashion, cuisine, and all things elegant and fashionable, so as the French lady I pretended we had the best chocolatier who made chocolate toasting cups for us.

The blue vase was purchased a few years ago at the Jamestown Glasshouse, where it was handblown by glassblowers reenacting the 17th century glasshouse of Britain’s first successful colony of Jamestown.

After I toasted King Louis XIV, the English lady (my daughter) remembered King Charles I who was beheaded, and the captain of a new settlement in Virginia (my son) toasted to the success of the Berkely Hundred!

MANNERS AND ALMANACK OF THE ERA

Then we discussed some of the books I found at the Colonial Williamsburg post office (print shop).

A book on manners for children published in London in 1701 provided fun while reading aloud some of the rules.

And a Virginia almanack published in Williamsburg in 1749, where we had fun comparing the current weather with that listed in the book, which humorously matched!

MERCANTILISM INTERACTIVE TOUR

We did a great deal of research on mercantilism so that we could create an interactive opportunity to experience mercantilism.

All products used were purchased at Colonial Williamsburg.

Specific details were obtained by extensive interviewing of the interpreters. {{{thank you for indulging our many queries!}}}

The setting for our activity is various spots around the world in 1750.

PRENTIS STORE ORDERS PRODUCT FROM BRITAIN

My daughter portrayed the proprietress of the Prentis Store, the first store in Williamsburg, built in 1740.

Meanwhile my son portrayed an agent with Norton and Sons, based in Yorktown.

Norton and Sons Yorktown agent for mercantilism activity Becoming History with the 17th century — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

Here she is doing inventory with a period accurate colonial blank book (a gift) and a colonial pencil from CW.

Prentis Store accounts for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

Into her purchase order she adds her tobacco notes, obtained as payment from her customer or from the sale of her own harvested crop of tobacco.

Prentis Store purchase order and tobacco note for port of Jamaica for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

Prentis Store purchase order for port of Britain for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

SAILOR FOLLOWS NAVIGATION ACTS FROM BRITAIN

We assigned our guest to portray a British sailor who must follow the Navigation acts of Britain, which I gave to him to read.

Sailor's compass for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

After he winced at the many pages of legalese, I gave him a verbal synopsis.

All goods leaving the colonies must be shipped and could only be shipped to Britain.

Any goods arriving in the colonies from lands not owned by Britain had to be shipped to Britain first, with a few exceptions.

The colonies and West Indies could trade directly.

SAILOR LEAVES VIRGINIA

Since a fully loaded cargo ship was also the postal system between the colonies and Europe, the proprietress gave her purchase orders to the sailor, one for London and one for Jamaica.

Prentis Store purchase orders for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

SAILOR FIRST STOP: LONDON

Following the trade winds and prevailing currents, the British sailor headed to London first, where he delivered the purchase order.

Upon arrival, the purchase order was sent to the proper London merchant, who added the listed items to his purchase orders.

Receiving these purchase orders, the sailor sails to the Far East.

When he arrived in China, he loaded tea on his ship.

Sailor sails for China for tea for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

SAILOR SAILS TO FAR EAST

Then he sailed to India for spices like cinnamon and ginger…

Sailor sails to India for ginger and cinnamon for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

Next he stopped at Madagascar for vanilla beans.

Sailor sails to Madagascar for vanilla beans for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

SAILOR SAILS TO ENGLAND

When he arrived in England, he unloaded his cargo into the warehouse where duties were placed on each item. (my kids played multiple roles)

Then the sailor recollected these items to deliver to the colonies, along with requested licorice root that is harvested in England.

licorice root harvested in England for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

SAILOR SAILS TO JAMAICA

Before he stopped at the colonies, he went to Jamaica where he delivered the other purchase order from the Prentis Store merchant and collected sugar and chocolate.

SAILOR SAILS TO VIRGINIA

With a fully loaded ship, the British sailor sailed to Yorktown where he unloaded his goods.

PRENTIS STORE COLLECTS IMPORTS

An apprentice to the Prentis Store merchant loaded merchandise onto the wagon to be transported to the Prentis Store in Williamsburg.

As the apprentice stocks the shelves with the newly arrived imports, the proprietress accounts for everything.

Prentis Store accounts for imports from Britain in mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

VIRGINIA PLANTER TOBACCO NOTE

Enter a Virginia planter who brings her harvest of tobacco in hogshead barrels to Yorktown.

Virginia planter brings hogshead tobacco to Norton and Sons Yorktown agent to credit for tobacco note and have shipped to Britain for mercantilism activity Becoming History with the 17th century — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

Before they can be shipped, she has her agent, John Norton and Sons, inspect the tobacco.

Asked the planter several questions as he completed the appropriate paperwork, double copies, one for the agent and one for the planter.

After receiving the tobacco notes, the planter rides in her carriage to the Prentis Store.

Upon arrival, the planter hands the proprietress her tobacco note to pay off the debt she had accumulated in the past year.

Virginia planter pays store debt with tobacco notes for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

While there the planter shops for items in the store (that had journeyed from afar), while the proprietress records everything in her ledger.

Prentis Store accounts purchases in ledger of Virginia planter purchases for mercantilism activity for 17th century Becoming History — *17th century Becoming History Presentation on Mercantilism*

This scenario is the normal way of life in Colonial America, not a cash payment system that we use today.

HAIL BRITANNIA

As proud British citizens in the colonies of 1750, we sang Rule Britannia! written a few years before.

That completed our presentation of history from 1600-1750.

For more photos, check my Flickr set.