The Queen's Goddaughter

01/18/22 • 31 min

4 Listeners

When Sarah Forbes Bonetta was seven years old, she was enslaved in the African kingdom of Dahomey and presented as a gift to a visiting British naval captain. The captain brought her to London in order to "rescue" her. The young girl would soon become the goddaughter to the most powerful woman in the world: Queen Victoria.

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Support Noble Blood:

— Bonus episodes and scripts on Patreon

— Merch!

— Order Dana's book, Anatomy: A Love Story

— Sign up to join Dana on the Mary Shelley Pilgrimage in April

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Prince Sado of Korea had gone mad. He was prone to violent fits of rage; he would assault and threaten and even kill servants at court. His father, King Yeongjo, needed a way to get rid of him.

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Noble Blood - The Queen's Goddaughter

Transcript Summary

In this episode titled "The Queen's Goddaughter," the speaker discusses the captivating life of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a young girl who was enslaved in Africa and later adopted by Queen Victoria of the UK. Sarah's story, often celebrated as a fairy tale, is examined in depth, shedding light on the complex power dynamics that overshadowed her individual agency. The episode delves into Sarah's early life in Africa, her rescue by Captain Frederick E. Forbes, and her journey to England. The involvement of Daomi Kingdom in the Atlantic slave trade and King Gezo's refusal to halt the practice are explored. Once in England, Sarah thrived under Queen Victoria's care and received an education. However, Queen Victoria's influence extended even to Sarah's personal life, as she compelled her to marry James Pinson Lubulo Davies. Sarah and James relocated to Lagos, where they had three children, but Sarah's health declined, leading to her untimely death at the age of 37. The episode concludes by highlighting the lasting support provided by Queen Victoria to Sarah's family and the memorial erected in her honor. This thought-provoking episode offers a captivating exploration of Sarah Forbes Bonetta's remarkable life, highlighting the complexities of her experiences within the broader historical context.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:00.760

Welcome to Noble Blood, a production of I Heart Radio and Grimm and Mild from Aaron Minky. Listener discretion is advised.

Speaker 100:00:10.560

One quick note before we begin. Today is the day my book Anatomy a Love Story is finally available in bookstores everywhere. I worked so hard on it. If you're a fan of Noble Blood, I really think you're going to like it. It's a story about grave robbers and surgery in nine

The Queen's Goddaughter Top Questions Answered

How did Captain Forbes contribute to the abolition of the slave trade?

Captain Forbes was part of the British movement to eliminate the slave trade globally.

Why did King Gezo refuse Captain Forbes' request to eliminate the supply of slaves?

King Gezo of Daomi refused Forbes' request to eliminate the supply of slaves because it was their primary source of income.

Who gifted Sarah Forbes Bonetta to Captain Forbes?

King Gezo gifted a small captive girl, Sarah Forbes Bonetta, to Captain Forbes.

What talents did Sarah Forbes Bonetta possess?

Sarah surprised the crew with her quick English learning abilities and musical talent.

How was Sarah Forbes Bonetta connected to Queen Victoria?

Queen Victoria became Sarah's godmother and arranged for her education. Queen Victoria also forced Sarah to marry James Pinson Lubulo Davies.

Where was Sarah Forbes Bonetta sent for education?

Sarah was sent to a missionary school in Sierra Leone and later returned to England.

Who played a role in containing the Ebola virus in Nigeria?

Sarah Forbes Bonetta's great great granddaughter, a doctor named Ameyo Adadevoh, played a crucial role in containing the Ebola virus in Nigeria and saved many lives.

What role did Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel play in Queen Victoria's life?

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom was opposed to slavery and received a copy of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which influenced her greatly.