Shapeshifted Peace: Passaconaway’s Pacification of Settlers

Shapeshifted Peace takes up where Shapeshifter’s Peace left off. The story begins with an overview of European reasons for colonizing as well as the legal documents that authorize the colonization. Key English players are introduced from early New Hampshire history: men such as Rev. John Wheelwright and Captain Jonathon Danforth. Then come events such as the accidental death of Reginald Jenkins; the marriage of Passaconaway’s daughter that led to Whittier’s romanticized version of the wedding Bridal at Penacook. From there we are observers of the Great Chief of the Penagok Confederation’s uneasy peace with the English settlers and the death of the Great Chief at over 120 years of age and the assumption of duties by his son, Waolinasad. The story takes place from 1621 to 1664 when Passaconaway is believed to have died. This is a pivotal period in American history. Although there is peace, the peace is like a lid on a boiling pot. Much of the wars that later occur are based on what takes place during this time and the, in comparison to Passaconaway, rather short chieftainship of Waolinasad.