Anne Orthwood's Bastard Summary

John Pagans Anne Orthwood’s Bastard takes place in Colonial America in the year of 1663. Anne Orthwood was an indentured maidservant from Bristol, England that immigrated to the Colony of Virginia with her master; Jasper Cross. Leaving Bristol for the fictitious opportunities that everyone in England expected when traveling to the New World, her indenture was sold to William Kendall to help pay for her voyage to Virginia. William Kendal; who was originally indentured, became the most prosperous man after marrying his former master’s widow. The law of coverture was the norm in Colonial America; this law decreed that any property owned by a woman would become the man’s property. William Kendal realizes the struggles Anne endures yet turns a blind eye despite the fact that he himself was once indentured. William Kendal applied his business skills to the newly acquired property which helped him later ascend into local politics and become Speaker of the House of Burgesses. Romance sparked between Anne Orthwood and John Kendall; William Kendal’s nephew. William Kendal recognized the relationship between Anne and John as potentially …show more content…
The court may or may not decide a ruling based on the popularity of the case within the community. Meaning those with municipal power could misuse or bend the rule of law in their favor when they found it necessary. Waters v. Bishopp, Ex Parte Kendal and Rex v. Kendal are primary examples of the injustices ruled in the Virginia court room. In the case of Waters v. Bishopp, the court ruled in favor of Waters because they found Anne’s pregnancy a burden on Waters during her labor as an indentured servant. The agreement of purchase between Waters and Bishopp was found to be more important than the wellbeing of a pregnant woman. This shows us how brutal life must’ve been living as an indentured servant; being treated as mere property rather than as