Providence Plantations (Pirate AU)
This page is part of the Pirate AU plot! For more information on the real-world colony, visit Wikipedia.
The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is located in the modern day area of Rhode Island in North America. The land was originally part of the lands of the Narrangansett tribal nation, until it was purchased by Muggle Roger Williams in 1636.
After its purchase, the area was settled by dissenters from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who disagreed with the Puritans' persecution of other communities. Known among Muggles for its "liberty of conscience" and its relatively good relations with the Narrangasetts, it became a safe haven for many different minority groups -- from Jews and Quakers to a fledgling magical community, which was able to live much more openly than their compatriots in other parts of the world.
In the 1650s and 1660s, the colony passed several progressive laws for its time, including the abolishment of witchcraft trials.
By the 1690s, the colony's magical community had a strong presence in several towns, including Providence and Newport, and were used to interacting fairly openly with many of their neighbors. The implementation of the Statute of Secrecy and the Salem Witch Trials up north caused great consternation.
Many wixes living in Providence Plantations were graduates of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the western part of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Thought to be an extremely liberal school because one of its headmasters was a Muggle, Ilvermorny was shunned by many traditional wizards, but was embraced by the progressive magical community in Providence.
In Absit Omen's Pirate AU
- Werewolf Howell Bagnold settles here with his wife in the late 1650s, following persecution in England. They raise several of their children in Providence, including their sons Shay and Kurby.
