This week we went over some British history as well as analyzing two stories written by former slaves Olaudah Equiano and Mary Prince.

We first talked about the geographic location of England then went into Medieval England discussing the Roman Empire, the shifting of the English language. We then mentioned works such as Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-Norman and Middle English.  We then went into the Renaissance and how it was the “rebirth” of letters and arts.

We also discussed the religious changes that happened during the Renaissance such as the Reformation of the Catholic church. As well as Henry VIII’s creating the Church of England pulling away from the Catholic church. We talked about the Tudor’s which was Henry VIII’s origin. 

We discussed the Romantic Era as well as some of the events like the American and French Revolutions, Abolition, The Industrial Revolution, and Economic Shifts. During this time reading became more accessible to the average citizen.

Both, Olaudah Equiano’s and Mary Prince’s, stories told their lives and experiences with slavery such as masters, working conditions, and life as a slave.

Olaudah Equiano’s experience with slavery was a lot less intense than Prince’s, Equiano tells how he traveled to England when he was 12. He also discussed how he built relationships with his master’s two of which where Michael and Daniel Queen

Mary Prince tells the horrors of slavery, such as long work days, injuries, working conditions and limited food. Prince talked about 17 hour work days, her having to stand in salt and the injuries from working in the salt mines and her limited diet of corn.