The History Twins podcast is currently covering “This Man’s A Spy!,” Carla and Keyes’ musical retelling of the treasonous plot between American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre during the American Revolutionary War. In today’s episode we focus on our song ``A Woman’s Wiles”, which introduces Arnold’s wife Peggy Shippen as the femme fatale of the story.

Margaret “Peggy” Shippen was the socialite daughter of a Loyalist family in Philadelphia. When the British occupied Philadelphia early in the Revolution, she attended many parties, and was a close friend of British Major John Andre. There was also rumors of their courtship.

After the British left Philadelphia, General Benedict Arnold was named Military Governor there, while he healed from wounds from the Battle of Saratoga. He courted the young Peggy Shippen, whose father Edward Shippen originally rejected the match. Her father later changed his mind, and Peggy married General Benedict Arnold.

After their marriage, Arnold reached out to the British, in order to change sides. He could not  deliver his messages to the British himself, so he utilized Peggy’s inner-circle of friends. The letters would be passed from person to person and then given to someone who was capable of getting into New York City.

It wasn’t until the 1930’s that historians discovered that letters from Peggy Shippen contained secret messages written with invisible ink.

Carla and Keyes also discuss the research and creative process that went into the composition and arrangement of their song “A Woman’s Wiles”.

The History Twins podcast teaches that history is more than just dates and dead people. It’s for people interested in history, and the creative process involved in bringing history to life through performance.

You can find The History Twins podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Amazon podcasts, as well as your favorite podcast catchers.

Links:

10 Facts About Benedict Arnold and Peggy Shippen
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-benedict-arnold-and-peggy-shippen

Major John Andre designing a costume for Peggy Shippen:
https://silkandsass1776.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/operation-meschianza-pt-2-the-dress-deets/

Peggy Shippen on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Shippen

Historically Speaking: History shows Arnold's wife had role in treason
https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/opinion/columns/2013/09/28/historically-speaking-history-shows-arnold/42789003007/

Peggy Shippen Biography
https://www.thoughtco.com/peggy-shippen-biography-4176715

Peggy Shippen sharing with Theodosia & Letter from Alexander Hamilton, demonstrating his weakness for “damsel’s in distress” https://www.lmelliott.com/lauras-blog/other-peggy-one-who-fooled-alexander-hamilton

Turncoat
https://www.amrevmuseum.org/read-the-revolution/turncoat

Books:

Treacherous Beauty by Mark Jacob and Stephen H. Case.

Turncoat: Benedict Arnold and the Crisis of American Liberty by Stephen Brumwell

The Exquisite Siren: The Romance of Peggy Shippen and Major John Andre by E. Irvine Haines

History Twins Video Podcast on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/-icfph5qvaY

HistoryTwins Audio Podcast on Anchor.fm

Carla and Keyes Blog:
https://CarlaandKeyes.com

Join the Carla and Keyes Mailing List:
https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join