RebeccaR-(almost)forgotten
Deliverer of Wales,Europe,the Americas,Africa and Asia?(and
original Buffy the Vampire
Slayer?)
c.Xmas1625-cEaster1647(?)
Is this an exaggeration?Possibly,but it makes up
for centuries of neglect.Whether it is true in every sense depends upon whether
you accept the existence of the Harveydeed-a contract drawn by William Harvey at
the direction of his patron(CharlesI) to allow the bearer to take as a slave any
inhabitant of the patron`s present and future colonies &possessions,possibly
including those of his heirs and successors,which would include most of the
inhabitants of the places above.
Rebecca is thought to have been sent aboard Lion or Swallow by New
Englander Thomas Rainsborough to capture and translate the document before it
reached Spanish slave traders who had reputedly paid a deposit for expected
pickings.Rebecca therefore became the "bearer"and translator on the return
voyage,but chose not to exercise the deed`s options.The deed`s options in regard
to obliging all populations of the above areas to accept Harvey`s orthodox
medical system(as opposed to alternatives)seems to have been exercised by
someone.Not by Rebecca,however,who was firmly in the opposition
camp.
If you hold a map of Wem near this picture,Rebecca
Roberts faces the direction Lord Capel was planning to march through Wem
in his aim to occupy Wales to the West coast.Rebecca`s militia devastated
his army and thwarted the plan.
The birthplace of RebeccaR was probably at a farmhouse sited
above modern Aberdovey(pictured),from where her parents traded woollen
cloth as far as Lyme Regis.
These trips on her father`s boat took her past the legendary
landing site on Christ`s supposed route to Glastonbury,part of the
inspiration for the hymn `Jerusalem`.RR`s early version mentions the
`clouded hills`of her home area&Boudicca`s bow& chariot for
burning Roman forts.
Her stranding in Lyme on the outbreak of Civil War led to
joining the womens` militia there and becoming a leading
figure.
A swivel gun of this type may have been mounted on .the
family`s trading boat during the"ship-money" tax crisis,as puritans
suspected courtiers of encouraging pirate (privateer)attacks to raise
money and encourage payment of the tax.It was light,and packed with chain
or loose shot could devastate a pursuing ship or massed attack on land
.RR`s experience with the weapon may have been the inspiration for the
defence at Lyme and, later, Wem.
Wem, where RR`s militia defeated Lord Capel`s army and
prevented capture of a route to the Welsh coast.
