By the wonders of that witchcraft that do be called the Zoom and the PowerPoint, Mistress Agnes and Master Christopher have been entertaining folk from across the globe (even some from countries that haven’t been discovered in their time). They foregathered in Plymouth’s Minerva Tavern in 1670 to chat about plague, about fire, about witchcraft and the late war. By chance, Sir Francis was residing in that same tavern. It was a full twenty five years since he and Master Christopher last met and they reminisced about times past. A little known fact about Mistress Agnes was revealed. She was fair set to sail upon the Mayflower but having travelled from Rotherhithe, decided to abandon ship at Plymouth, where she encountered Master Christopher, who was ship’s surgeon on board a vessel at anchor in that city. They had spent the intervening years in Bideford on Devon’s northern shore but had lately come to Plymouth, finding the activities of Bideford’s rector, one Nathaniel Eaton, uncongenial. In fact, Mistress Agnes was in danger of being taken up as a witch. So thanks to Devon Family History Society for their role in organising a fascinating conference about all things Mayflower and for asking the folk of Swords and Spindles to take part.
Swords and Spindles Living History 