Finding Karin Doull University of Roehampton Human Stories

Finding Karin Doull University of Roehampton

Human Stories and the East India Company Project

Inspiration

Starting the Search I Sir Thomas Dale of London knight being in perfecte healthe, both of body and minde yet callinge to my rememberance and duely consideringe the certainte of deathe to every man, and the incertainte of the time tereeof; and havinge nowe a purpose verie shorthly to make a veinge into the East Indies doe make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge that is to say ffirst I commande and comitt my soule into the handes of Almightie God assuredly hopinge by and through the only merrittes of Jesus Christmy Savior and Redeemer to be saved, and I will my bodie to be buried in Christian burial by the discretion and direction of my executrix hereafter named, And for the disposeinge of such wordlie substance as it hath pleased God to bestowe upon me, Now asmuch as I dee finde the same to be partlie sufficient for the convenient mainenance ans staie of livings of my deare and lovonge wife Dame Elizabeth Dale I doe therefore geve and bequeathe all my plate money houshold stuffe goodes and chattelles whatsoever unte my deare and lovinge wife Dame Elizabeth Dale whome I dee also make and ordaine the solde executrix of this my last will and testament, http: //govthomasdale. blogspot. co. uk/2011/11/captain-thomas-dale. html

Site Visits V. & A. Artefact Repository The Clothworkers' Centre for the Study and Conservation of Textiles and Fashion

Scouting out treasures Chintz from Masulipatnam Ivory Double long stemmed clay pipe case 1600 s Rosewood and ivory cabinet 1620 s

The Joys of British History Online http: //www. british-history. ac. uk/no- series/london-map-agas/1561 On March 15, 1618, Thomas Dale wrote his last will and testament and six days later departed for the East Indies after organizing a small apartment for Lady Dale at Black Friars http: //govthomasdale. blogspot. co. uk/2011/11/captain-thomas-dale. html

Calendar State Papers Wm. Methwold, a factor at Masulipatam, in a letter to the East India Company, says that when Sir Thomas was advised of his extremity of sickness he desired to have some place fitted for him on shore. He was brought to the Company's house, where after twenty days' of languishing sickness and many testimonies of good Christianity, contempt of death, and singular zeal and affection towards the Company's service, he died, and his body was "enclosed and housed in form of a tomb, which is almost finished" (782) http: //www. british-history. ac. uk/search/series/cal-statepapers--colonial--east-indies-china-japan

More Site visits

Input from Experts Hilary Green ~ author of historical novels Sofia Niazi ~ artist and Illustrator

The need to visualise What could Elizabeth see from Blackfriars? ia/ n i irg V ia/ e ? v a Bat ’s tim How much is 500 weight / h t m e na izab t of Chinese silk? a l p i W E l hat asu ike in h M ave furni l d i k and ture at d d loo h Themes ~ the w wh W pfor at d ould river/time E id i De t lo lizabe ok passing? like th Patterns on Stuart dress? ? What could Elizabeth have looked like? lain e c r r po o ” e war n a p d “Ja k like? Kalimkari patterns i d t o a h o l W from hina C m o fr Masulipatnum? What type of dogs did they have at this time ? Arasaratnam, S. & Ray, A. , (1994) Masulipatnam and Cambay - A history of two port towns 15001800 Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers: New Delhi

The background details Who is who ~ additional characters ~ keeping the relationships straight. Timelines !!!! ~ How to keep control of events. Pejoratives about Elizabeth ~ What the company complain about her. Research diary ~ where to keep all those little titbits of information … and where you found them! Plot ~ always a good idea!! Character Sketch ~ What are the important things to know about Elizabeth given that she was a real person?

The detective clues The Plot requirements The clue Where it was found The resolution Dale sends gifts home to his wife ~ a cabinet with spices and some cloth ( as seen at V&A) “Dale also sent by this ship some silks and chinaware to his wife Lady Dale” Dewey Scarboro, D. & Davis, T. (ed) (2005) The Establisher, The story of Sir Thomas Dale, Marshall and Deputy Governor of the Virginia Colony 1611 -1616, Admiral of East India Company 1617 -1619 Old Mountain Press IOR/E/3/6 ff P 235 -242 Dale letter March 1619 I can imagine that he also sent other gifts even if we don’t have evidence for it. What exactly was Elizabeth’s complaint? “Lady Elizabeth Dale printed details of her dispute with the East India Company” Kyle, C. R. , (2012) Theatre of State: Parliament and Political Culture in Early Stuart England, Stanford University Press http: //quod. lib. umich. edu/e/ eebo/a 19763. 0001. 001? view =toc Elizabeth’s petition online I can present from her point of view not just the Company

Opening and Closing “Oh, he was ever one for venturing to parts beyond the seas was my man, the Lord Thomas Dale, gentleman, knight and soldier” … “Oh I was most dear and very loving to him before he left to remind him to come back to me. ” … “My lord was lost in the summer heat as Braveheart and I romped in the golden cornfields. He was gone by the time that the harvest was gathered in. We knew not his fate ‘til the turn of the year with him gone nigh on six months. ”…. “I fear that I will never recover what was stolen from me but … sometimes …. the fight itself is enough regardless of victory or defeat. ”

The Tale of Lady Dale ~ being the journal of Dame Elizabeth Dale detailing her business with the Company of Merchant Traders to the East Indies ~