In the early years of the 17th Century, religious warfare was raging in Europe and England was struggling with various reform factions that caused deep divisions and violence. Recent archaeological evidence from Jamestown suggests that the Colony was far more religiously diverse than previously realized and those divides had an enormous impact on the shape of the Colony’s politics and governing principles. Our host, John Ericson, will explore this history with guest speaker Mark Summers.

Mark Summers is the Director of Public and Youth Programming at Jamestowne Rediscovery. Summers has an expertise in the English Reformation with a focus on how the religious divides in England carried over to the first permanent English Settlement in Virginia. Summers has an undergraduate degree in History from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Master’s from the University of Mississippi. 

Intro and outro created by Thomas Fosdick. Project supported by a grant from Virginia Humanities.