I get this email every morning from the History Channel - that A&E property that doesn't show Law and Order? You know the one. So today is the anniversary of the marriage of Pocohantas and John Rolfe in Jamestown (then renamed Delaware after Baron Del a Warr or some such nonsense. Not exactly a marriage of convenience:
"In the spring of 1613, English Captain Samuel Argall took Pocahontas hostage, hoping to use her to negotiate a permanent peace with her father. Brought to Jamestown, she was put under the custody of Sir Thomas Gates, the marshal of Virginia. Gates treated her as a guest rather than a prisoner and encouraged her to learn English customs. She converted to Christianity and was baptized Lady Rebecca. Powhatan eventually agreed to the terms for her release, but by then she had fallen in love with John Rolfe, who was about 10 years her senior. On April 5, 1614, Pocahontas and John Rolfe married with the blessing of Chief Powhatan and the governor of Virginia." A little wedding music maestro.