Page 90 - All About History - Issue 54-17

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EMIGRANTS: WHY THE

ENGLISH SAILED TO THE NEW WORLD

Faith, fortune and fealty to the king were just some of their reasons

Author James Evans Publisher Weidenfeld and Nicolson Price £20 Released Out now
acing an uncertain future — and who went to America are incorporated
braving a long and potentially into the narrative as well. Drawing upon
perilous voyage — nearly 400,000 contemporary sources like diaries, letters
English men, women and children and court hearings, Evans gives life and
F sailed across the Atlantic during voice to those people once more. Henry
the course of the 17th century. Leaving Norwood’s loyalty to the deposed King
the Old World for the New, many of Charles I, John Smith’s frustrations as
them would never return. This mass the colonists frantically searched for
migration became known as the gold, and Anne Hutchinson’s defiance
‘swarming of the English’. For those who in the face of a society that saw her as
went, it was a life-changing trip, and inferior are among some of the personal
those journeys — those lives — left an stories vividly re-told.
indelible mark on world history. They Glimpses, however brief and bleak, are
influenced language, law and culture. also given into the lives of indentured
They shaped the America we know servants, voices that do not always make
today — but why did they go? it onto the pages of history. In focusing
In Emigrants, James Evans sets out on personal stories and the exploration
to uncover the reasons and motivations of people’s reasons for making the
that drove such a large number of people journey across the Atlantic, Emigrants
to make the crossing. Each chapter offers an engaging and thought-
explores a particular subject including, provoking perspective on the migration
among others, the enticing prospect of English settlers to the New World
of wealth, matters of religion and across the ocean.
conscience, and sheer desperation. Over In short, Emigrants is a detailed and
the course of the book, Evans builds deftly written account of this vast shift
up a detailed picture of the various in human population. A wide-ranging
factors that compelled so many to leave book, it is likely that it will find a wide
England. The scope of this work is readership. While it may appeal more
consequently impressive, covering many to those interested in the history of
aspects of 17th century history. migration in general, or the settlement
Yet this significant event and period of the New World in particular, its broad
of history is not only discussed but scope means that it may also prove a
becomes in some way tangible. The good read for anyone with an interest
depiction of events — a first glimpse in this period.
of the New World with gulls circling Indeed, for those wishing to delve
overhead, a man sailing into Plymouth into the world of the 17th century, this
with a barrel of earth clutched under his is the sort of book that can help readers
arm — makes for absorbing reading. to haul in the anchor, unfurl the sails “A wide-ranging book, it is likely
Further to this, the lives and and venture back to explore the lives of
experiences of some of the individuals those who dwelt there. that it will find a wide readership”
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