How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 211 - Winter’s Bite (1)

211: Winter’s Bite (1)

211: Winter’s Bite (1)

From late 1607 to early 1608.

A great cold wave swept through Europe, North America, and other regions.

In the original history, Jamestown would be starting to be built around this time in this area.

Because of that, we can know whether this cold wave also affected the North American region.

Because conflicts with the Powhatan tribe, failed farming, and the terribly, terribly harsh cold that tormented them are recorded in their early settlement history.

The sea froze over, and even when they lit fires on the ice, it wouldn’t melt.

People amputated their frostbitten and rotting limbs and slept huddled together like beasts.

It’s said that even cannibalism occurred.

Then what about Europe, which had more people and better defenses?

Similarly, people froze to death in various places, and trading ships stopped as the North Sea filled with icebergs.

Even in Spanish and Italian cities, famous for their warmth and mildness, people froze to death, and lakes and rivers completely froze over in heavy snowfall.

Roads were cut off by snowfall and buildings collapsed.

And thus, winter…

Continued from March to May.

Winter had devoured spring.

The catalog describing the above had a dry writing style, but the phrase “a cold that might occur once or twice a century” sent chills.

There would not be another such cold wave for decades to come.

“I don’t think the grape harvest will be properly done this year.

Let’s stockpile as much wine as possible for now.”

“…”

“…”

“The same goes for food.

We need to relay this information to Oitotan and the knight brigade.”

Fortunately, we had the catalog, and I was here to read it.

Moreover, we’re now cultivating vast lands that can feed hundreds of thousands with tractors, with a population of about 100,000.

It’s not easy to starve to death no matter what famine strikes.

Cold?

Furs and firewood are abundant everywhere.

We can adequately prepare for the cold wave and famine.

But…

“…What will the situation in Europe be like?”

When I asked, everyone fell silent and lowered their heads.

In our hands was Bacon’s report on the situation in England, Ireland, and other places.

What about Europe?

Especially England, Scotland, and Ireland, which trade most closely with us?

Can they properly prepare for the cold wave?

I carefully read Bacon’s report on the situation in England once more.

And concluded.

The British Isles are now chaos itself.

==

“You all, what are you saying!”

“Exactly what you heard.

We’re wondering if perhaps you’re trying to become the king of Ireland.”

“Can you take responsibility for those words?

Can you take responsibility!”

Ireland…

was a series of chaos even after the immediate victory.

The meetings convened by various nobles from all regions faced difficulties day after day.

“Earl of Tyrone!

You originally only demanded self-governance for Ireland and the position of governor from the Queen of England!”

“Right!

If you truly intended to liberate us and expel those who don’t follow the Lord’s true words, you could have done so!”

“This fellow has just risen out of lust for power!”

These were absurd words to Hugh Mór O’Neill, the Earl of Tyrone and leader of the Irish forces.

Should he have eliminated any room for negotiation from the beginning by demanding recognition of Ireland’s independence and telling England to get out of Ireland?

They weren’t in such an advantageous position back then.

Moreover, most of them didn’t properly resist England at that time.

They were just latecomers who joined after momentum built up.

O’Neill tried to persuade them by mentioning such points while suppressing his anger, but they were unmoved.

From the beginning, their purpose was to prevent Hugh Mór O’Neill from becoming the king of Ireland.

Then who should become king?

‘Me!’

‘It should be me!’

‘I should be the monarch of the new Irish kingdom…!’

…Therefore, there was no way the Irish forces could properly unite to conduct the war.

It was all because the war had continued for too long, dragging on.

It was because all kinds of riffraff who had no intention of joining the rebellion in the first place had gathered to the point of all claiming their share.

English forces still remain.

Yet the behavior of those acting as if they had already won disgusted the commanders O’Neill and Hugh Ruadh O’Donnell, as well as the Spanish commanders.

As a result, they fell into premature distribution of merit and division in a war that hadn’t ended.

Without anything properly changing, they had to endure multiple famines and disasters.

It was terrible news for the Irish farmers who had joined the war hoping for freedom to worship as the Catholic Church wanted and liberation from foreign landlords.

Then, amid the revealed internal divisions in Ireland, what are the English doing to stab them in the back?

Are they preparing to impose the yoke of oppression and exploitation on Ireland once again?

“Fl-floods came several months ago, and I still haven’t recovered my home…”

“Please be charitable…!”

It doesn’t seem so…

“Waaah!

Give back our commons!”

“Aren’t those filthy nobles taking our land and putting up fences?

Let’s break down those fences!”

Rather…

“Aaaargh!

It’s a riot by Catholics!”

“Freedom of faith!

Death to the infidels who oppose the Pope!”

…There were difficulties.

First, due to the massive flood that occurred around January 1607, southwestern England and Wales were in a cauldron of chaos.

One village was completely submerged, and thousands of refugees were still wandering here and there.

So what did the government do to control or settle these refugees?

“You are to follow His Majesty the King’s orders!

If you don’t disarm and disperse immediately, we will exercise the king’s sovereignty in this land as permitted by the Lord!”

“Don’t be deceived!

Even if we give up our weapons, there will be those who want to kill us!”

“Damn, it’s over.

Attack!”

They had to stop the revolt that had just occurred.

The farmers’ revolt in the Midlands, in response to the enclosure movement, spread like wildfire in all directions, unlike in the original history where it was easily suppressed.

“This is all because Her Majesty the Queen is gone!

When Elizabeth was here, everyone lived well!”

“The King of Scotland is threatening Queen Elizabeth to usurp the throne!

The London revolt was actually instigated by James!”