The Pequot & Mohegan War,
1636-61: Native American Conflicts of Colonial New England

A 17th century conflict between English settlers and the Pequots of the Eastern seaboardThe Pequot War (1636-38) was a savage conflict in early colonial New England between the Pequot tribe and an alliance of English colonists from Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Connecticut, supported by indigenous Mohegan and Narragansett tribes. The Pequots controlled the fur and wampum trade, leading to friction with English and Dutch settlers. The Mohegans, led by Uncas, were once part of the Pequot nation, but had acrimoniously separated, allying with the English. Whilst tensions simmered, the murders of two English traders provoked retaliatory raids which escalated to full warfare. Pequot warriors besieged Fort Saybrook throughout the winter of 1636-37. The war's most infamous event, however, was the Mystic Massacre (1637) when English forces under Captain Mason and Mohegan allies surrounded a fortified Pequot village and set it ablaze. Hundreds of Pequots, mostly non-combatants, were immolated, cut down or shot. Survivors fled but were defeated at bay in the Fairfield Swamp Fight. The Mohegans then became the most powerful tribe in the region. This bookLeonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.