They first cut one of his Fingers round in the Joynt, at the Trunck of his Hand, with a sharp Knife, and then brake it off, as Men used to do with a slaughtered Beast, before they uncase him; then they cut off another and another, till they had dismembered one Hand of all its Digits, the Blood sometimes spirting out in Streams a Yard from his Hand... yet did not the Sufferer ever relent, or shew any Signs of Anguish.... In this Frame he continued, till his Executioners had dealt with the Toes of his Feet, as they had done with the Fingers of his Hands; all the while making him Dance round the Circle, and Sing, till he had wearied both himself and them. At last they brake the Bones of his Legs, after which he was forced to sit down, which 'tis said he silently did, till they had knocked out his Brains.
King Philip's War, also known as Metacomet's Revolt (Rebellion) does more than supply the original name to the main character of Fiery the Angels Rose, it provides a historical analogue (and supports) the brutal idea of bodily destruction that explains the gender ideas within the character development of LotA.
For more on the war:
Jill Lepore, author of the book, Name of War: King Philips War and the Origins of American Identity
Review of Name of War: King Philips War and the Origins of American Identity
Fiery the Angels Rose
