Christopher Priestley

**Christopher Priestly** worked as the doctor of the settlement of Jamestown. He was Samuel Castell’s closest friend and confident, and therefore fells guilty when his romantic feelings for his wife, Jocelyn Castell, start to develop. After Samuel’s sudden death, Christopher starts to hope he might wed her. However, it becomes clear to Christopher that the widow doesn’t share his affections. It’s unclear if he survived the Indian Massacre of 1622 because he was left unconscious and badly injured. He was carried back to Jamestown by the Sharrows but since Christopher was the only doctor in the settlement he probably died.

## Personality

Christopher is a man of medicine and science, therefore, he does not believe in superstition, witchcraft or magical powers: he believes in what his eyes can see and the rational mind can conjure. With a progressive and enquiring mind, he manages to extricate himself from much of the politicking within Jamestown. Christopher is as sharp-witted as he is trustworthy and helpful, and has a keen eye for analyzing human behavior. His compassionate and understanding nature made him a beloved person in the settlement, particularly with Jocelyn Castell.

## Physical Appearance

Christopher is a dark-haired and dark-eyed man of medium height. He usually dressed himself in dark colors. After Samuel’s death, he started to dress himself in yellowish tones, like Castell used to.

## Throughout *Jamestown*

* Season One
* Season Two
* Season Three

Jocelyn Woodbryg tells her betrothal, Samuel Castell, she prefers Sir George Yeardley to be Samuel’s groomsman instead of Christopher Priestley. After the man declines her pleas, Jocelyn pretends to become ill and drops to the ground. She is taken home where she is attended by doctor Priestley. Jocelyn, then, explains to the doctor why he must step aside and allow Samuel to gain the governor’s favor. Christopher sarcastically remarks he finds it awkward that Samuel didn’t mention this himself. Christopher speaks to Samuel about the groomsman deal and suggests that if they play along with Jocelyn’s scheme she will recover in time for the wedding. Later, Jocelyn thanks him for stepping aside and Christopher remarks that the governor as Samuel’s groomsman would send an odd message of manipulation and distrust. Jocelyn changes her mind and Christopher remains the groomsman.

At Christopher’s apothecary, Jocelyn complains about Secretary Farlow and Marshal Redwick with her husband, Samuel. She insists both men are afraid that Samuel will expose him and are determined to destroy him. Christopher recalls his positions cannot be openly challenged. After Verity Rutter’s sentence, Redwick falls ill. Christopher, alongside Reverend Whitaker, tends for the sick man. The Reverend immediately suspects witchcraft for he witnessed Verity cursing the Marshal. The doctor, however, doesn’t believe the sickness to be caused by charms and spells, and the Reverend calls his words “medical blasphemy”. The next day, Christopher tells Samuel the Marshal denies proper treatment for his affliction and both men seem surprised when Jocelyn suggests it’s best to let him die. Meanwhile, Secretary Farlow pays Christopher a visit at his apothecary and shares his belief that the Marshal’s glove was poisoned by Jocelyn Castell. Despite of Christopher’s objections, Farlow orders him to examine the glove. When the secretary leaves, the doctor notices one of his bottles is missing. Mercy also becomes ill and receives immediate care from Christopher that recognizes the same symptoms as the Marshal. He realizes it was Jocelyn’s doing. Unlike Redwick, Mercy accepts his treatment. Mercy is recovering and Christopher informs Samuel that Jocelyn spent the night awake feeding the servant girl the medicine. He points to Samuel they still need to find the cause of the sickness. Both men point the old bathroom as the reason for the illness that afflicts Jamestown, for it contaminates the water from the well. Christopher returns to Redwick and offers him the same medicine that cured Mercy. He also insists Verity’s name shall be cleared should the treatment cures the Marshal.

When the Indians attack Jamestown, Christopher tends to Meredith Rutter’s wounds. Rutter believes their purpose was to capture their women, but the doctor disagrees, remarking if that was the case they would have taken Verity Rutter. Later, Samuel Castell speaks with Christopher about Redwick’s desire to start a war with the Indians and Jocelyn interrupts them, stating they need to return the Indian to his chief. The next morning, Jocelyn speaks to Christopher and encourages him to force Samuel to travel with the governor for the meeting with the Pamunkey. The doctor admits he cannot help because he doesn’t want to belong to her. Samuel travels with the governor, regardless. Late at night, Mercy confesses to Jocelyn that she’s afraid of the dark. Nevertheless, Jocelyn orders her to fetch the doctor. Christopher arrives and Mercy is gone. Jocelyn urges him to dance with her to keep her calm. He eventually turns away and informs he spoke with Silas about making Samuel’s responsible for Chacrow’s release. He explains that it is humiliating for a Pamunkey to be handed over in that manner and that Jocelyn’s actions might have gotten Samuel killed. Samuel returns to Jamestown in good health, however, and Christopher watches with sorrow as Jocelyn hugs and kisses her husband.

While walking around town late at night, Christopher witnesses a shadowy figure digging in the cemetery. The next morning, Sir George Yeardley and others are made aware of the encounter and discover it was Lord De La Warr’s grave that has been dug up. Nicholas Farlow ponders whether the man had acquired the Portuguese map to the gold mines of Virginia. The governor wonders who would, at this point, dig up his grave to find out. After the group splits, Samuel remarks De La Warr was on his way to Jamestown as the new governor when he died at sea. Christopher also states that Farlow had the man buried with haste. During Alice Kett and Silas Sharrow's wedding Christopher speaks with Jocelyn in private and confesses he failed Samuel by visiting her at night. Jocelyn insists the encounter was innocent and, therefore, should remain a secret. Later, Christopher resumes his chat with Jocelyn and she tells him they have done nothing wrong but the doctor admits he betrayed Samuel because he loves her.

Christopher examines Sir George Yeardley and diagnoses him with kidney stone. He confirms the governor will need an operation and it could be fatal, doing nothing, however, can also kill him. Yeardley promises him a decision the following day. Later that night at the tavern, Nathan Bailey shots Fletcher during a drunken fight and the doctor is called to intervene. He doesn’t manage to save the man from bleeding to death, however. The next day, Christopher is confessing his worries as a doctor to Samuel when Bailey and the militia storm the tavern and ransack it. Later that night at the tavern, Nathan Bailey shots Fletcher during a drunken fight and the doctor is called to intervene. He doesn’t manage to save the man from bleeding to death, however. The next day, Christopher is confessing his worries as a doctor to Samuel Castell when Bailey and the militia storm the tavern and ransack it. Meanwhile, Jocelyn visits Christopher’s apothecary and asks for belladonna for a burning in her fingertips. The doctor denies her the medicine and pleas her to tell him her worries. Jocelyn confesses her past to him and asks him if he hates her. Christopher claims he loves her. Secretary Farlow enters and catches the two on the verge of kissing. After Jocelyn leaves, Farlow states Christopher will not be blamed should the governor die during the surgery.

The governor’s operation begins and with help from Temperance Yeardley and Samuel, Christopher manages to extract the stones from his kidney. In the morning, Secretary Farlow speaks with Christopher at the church and implies his affair with Jocelyn Castell. Christopher denies his accusations but the man proceeds to tell him the story of a woman convicted for adultery that was forsaken by the entire town. This woman was his mother. The next day, Meredith Rutter visits his apothecary and asks for his help concerning Verity’s thievery. Christopher says he isn’t able to identify her affliction. Henry Sharrow returns to Jamestown and claims to have found silver. James Read is able to transform Henry’s metal into a silver coin but the governor is not convinced and asks Henry if the doctor could test it. Christopher finds a solution to test the metal and later discovers it to be worthless. Jocelyn tells Christopher that Temperance Yeardley received a letter from her cousin from Oxfordshire revealing things from her past. The doctor recommends that she tells Temperance the truth in hopes of being spared. The next day, Samuel and Christopher find Jocelyn at the tavern. To spare Jocelyn from her husband’s questions, Verity Rutter tells Samuel that Jocelyn is pregnant and the man is delighted with the news but Christopher seems suspicious. Later, Christopher examines Jocelyn but decides to keep the baby rumor intact

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Jocelyn Castell goes to Christopher and asks him if he returned from fishing with her husband, Samuel Castell. The doctor denies it but Mercy swears those were her master’s words. Meanwhile, Henry Sharrow and Silas Sharrow return from their trades with the Indians and bring Samuel’s corpse. Jocelyn collapses at the sight. After Mercy finding of the catholic totems among Samuel's belongings, Jocelyn tells Christopher about them and confesses her fear that they might consider her a catholic spy. The doctor counsels her to tell Yeardley about it. During the christening of Silas and Alice Sharrow’s babe, Christopher promises he will honor the devotion he had for Samuel by being in constant service to Jocelyn. Under the governor’s order to unravel if Christopher is the Spanish spy of not, Jocelyn has to become close to him and, therefore, the following day they both visit the location where Samuel’s body was found. The doctor confesses his belief that Samuel was murdered. Later, Christopher confesses Jocelyn that he suspects Secretary Farlow murdered Samuel and informs her that Farlow has a enormous debt back in England.

During mass, James Read stares at Jocelyn and Christopher gasps his long gazes. When they are leaving church, the doctor remarks to Jocelyn that the blacksmith can’t keep his eyes off her. Jocelyn approaches James and insults him in the streets. Later that night, Christopher treats Meredith Rutter for gout and states it’s a disease of drinking men. The men discuss Samuel Castell’s death and Christopher wonders what Samuel was doing at the river at such an hour. The doctor will only give him the medicine if the tavern keeper tells him what he knows. Meredith reveals that Samuel was doing the governor’s business. Later on, Redwick visits Christopher and asks him for medicine for sleeping. The doctor asks if he believes the Spanish will invade, and the Marshal informs that he has written to King James expressing his wish of turning Jamestown into a naval base and to conquer Spanish Havana. Christopher asks him if the governor shares his convictions and Redwick implies Yeardley is a coward. Meanwhile, Christopher continues his pursue for information, this time with Edgar Massinger, who visits him due to an eye infection. The doctor says he had heard tales of men blinded by rage and implies if the Massinger is angry at the governor. He describes the governor as a man ruled by avarice and loyal only to himself. When Christopher says if the politics have no patriotism, Massinger interrupts him by asking why any man would. The next day, at night, Christopher visits Jocelyn and reminds her that he swore to uncover the truth about Samuel’s death. He tells her about Massinger not owing loyalty to his own country but his main suspect is Redwick for he hates the Spanish with fierce and might have placed the totems in Jocelyn’s house to incriminate her and make them believe there is a Spanish spy in the colony.

While Henry Sharrow brings his new wife, Winganuske, to Jamestown, Jocelyn remarks it’s not his love but his desire for his bride that has tamed Henry. Christopher replies she may mock love but he will not let her hide from the possibility of remarrying. The next day, Christopher points out Jocelyn is all finery in that morning, by wearing a brooch and a hairpin, and asks her if she wishes to go to the wharf to see the new maids to be wives that will arrive. Jocelyn declines his offer and states she wishes to remain in the settlement. Later, when Jocelyn intervenes on James Read’s behalf while the governor whishes to punish him for wearing a garment beyond his social position, Christopher appears suspicious.Soon that day, James is lashed by Marshal Redwick for his refusal to take the doublet off and Christopher mends his wounded back. The blacksmith asks him if he intents on marrying Jocelyn, and while the doctor says it’s not his place to ask such thing, eventually inquires why he’s so interested by that possibility. Instead, Read speaks about how he fantasized for months about his deceased betrothal, Corinna. Later that night, at the governor’s request, Jocelyn visits Christopher. She asks him why he left England to come to Virginia, and he replies it was his wish for knowledge and claims to have an adventurous spirit. Jocelyn tries to imply Jamestown is a nest of poison vipers but the doctor dismisses her words, stating she relish at every battle. He says it was fortune that brought them together and kisses her, but Jocelyn doesn’t return his kiss. He apologizes and explains the reason he’s been acting oddly is because now that Samuel is gone, he might have a change to wed her, and this thought is painful for him because Samuel was his closest friend.

Secretary Farlow arrives at Jamestown alongside a comely fellow named Simeon Peck. They visit Christopher’s apothecary in search for several ingredients for Simeon’s experiment. Jocelyn arrives and asks about the items the men required from him, but Christopher refuses to answer because she only seeks him out for information. Jocelyn claims she only wishes to prove that Farlow is the Spanish spy. Christopher still refuses and says he once felt her love for him. He asks him why she vanished and Jocelyn replies she doesn’t know. But the doctor claims she does. Jocelyn tells him about what Temperance Yeardley said to her on the day Samuel died, that she must remarry and quickly. But she makes it clear to Christopher that she has no intention of following her advice . The next day, Jocelyn is distress after witnessing Secretary Farlow fighting against his feelings for Simeon, and Christopher stops her at the streets. He asks her why she’s so keen on proving to the governor that Farlow is the spy. She replies that the governor suspects the doctor to be the spy because she told him so herself. Christopher becomes enraged and admits he can’t stand be around Jocelyn anymore. Later on, Simeon agrees to perform the alchemic ritual alongside Christopher, Farlow, James Read and Jocelyn. The alchemist claim to have made liquid gold but the governor believes he’s hiding something. Simeon drinks the liquid and claims to be transform into a woman. Yeardley asks Christopher to examine the madam, and Simeon requests that such an inspection to be conducted also by a woman. Both the doctor and Alice Sharrow conclude that Simeon is a hermaphrodite. Later at Read’s shop, Sir George Yeardley asks Christopher if he believes Simeon was transformed from a man to a woman by alchemy. The doctor replies he thinks Simeon has always been a hermaphrodite. The governor, then, asks when will he marry Jocelyn and Christopher says she seems to relish being a widow. Yeardley says they need to take that comfort away from her.

Mercy arrives at the town, that’s preparing for a presumed Spanish invasion, with a blind Edgar Massinger. Christopher asks her to bring him to his apothecary. Christopher examines him and says he’ll try a medicine of mistletoe and peony but if it fails Massinger will be blind for his remaining days. The next morning, while the doctor is treating Massinger, Jocelyn Castell storms in and asks to speak to Christopher in private. The doctor is not pleased. Jocelyn asks him where he kept Samuel Castell’s wedding ring. He grabs for the box and opens it. It’s full of maggots. Jocelyn says the ring was beside her pillow and fears Samuel has risen from the grave but Christopher say it’s a trick from someone committed in tormenting her. Meanwhile, Sir George Yeardley and Temperance Yeardley enter and ask Jocelyn to not say a word about ghosts in town. Jocelyn say it’s too late for that for Meredith Rutter and Pedro have seen it too. Later, after the ritual to find Samuel’s killer is concluded, and Massinger is found guilty, Christopher tells Jocelyn it was not the corpse that bled but Massinger’s noise out of anger. Jocelyn states there is no way she could have known that. Days later, Christopher runs into Jocelyn Castell on the streets and tells her he can’t delay his conversation with her any longer. Jocelyn tries to go away and Christopher asks if she’s avoiding him. Jocelyn pretends to faint in order for the doctor the leave her alone. Christopher performs a surgery on Pedro, who was stabbed in the stomach by Maria, but his prognoses are not favorable. Meanwhile, Christopher visits the Castells household and Mercy tries to send him away. He gets inside anyway and discovers that Jocelyn escaped through the window. The next day and while leaving church, Jocelyn and Christopher see all of the townsfolk on the streets with pans and bones. Christopher tells Jocelyn she’ll have to endure a Skimmington to shame her for failing to remarry. The doctor tries to stop her but she goes ahead among the crowd anyway. She’s taunted by the townsfolk screaming “shame” and “harlot”.

Christopher trades for medicinal herbs with the Chickahominy and they tell him that Silas Sharrow has been giving secret information about Jamestown to the Pamunkey. He later confronts James Read about it. Read denies it as gossip and states that the doctor must have misunderstood what has said to him. James also advices him not to gamble in politics. Christopher hints that he knows about James and Jocelyn's affair. Christopher and Jocelyn walk through the streets and he recalls her that she has made an enemy out of the governor. Jocelyn reveals it’s the other way around for she’s aware that he was the one who arranged for her Skimmington. The doctor advices her to be careful and informs he won’t pursue her any longer. Later, Christopher visits James Read’s shop and commissions for two rapier swords. James asks him the purpose of the weapons and the doctor assures there is time for explanations later. Later on, James gives Christopher the swords he ordered. The doctor tells him that one of them is his and challenges him for a duel because of James’ affair with Jocelyn. Read doesn’t wish to fight him because he’s a proven swordsman while Christopher is not. The doctor insists for them to meet at Ridgewater at dust otherwise he’ll reveal the blacksmith’s affair with Jocelyn to the entire of Jamestown. Christopher shares his belief that Jocelyn doesn’t wish to marry him because of James. Jocelyn visits Christopher’s apothecary and fakes a tooth ache to flirt with him. The doctor recalls that in England blacksmiths are employed to extract teeth. Jocelyn says she wouldn’t let James Read lay his hands upon her but Christopher reveals that he knows about her affair. Jocelyn denies it but Christopher doesn’t believe her. Even so, Christopher reveals he would still marry her. He informs her of his duel with James Read. The two men meet but Read refuses to fight the doctor. James eventually fights and bests him. He says the doctor has his honor and is the only man in Jamestown that does. That night, Jocelyn’s farm gets burned to the ground. In the morning, James shows that he has found Pamunkey items in the field. Sir George Yeardley and Marshal Redwick waste no time in blaming the natives for the fire. Meanwhile, Christopher informs them that Silas Sharrow has been giving information to the Pamunkey.

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At the wharf, Jocelyn Castell awaits for Christopher’s return to Jamestown from his voyage to England. Jocelyn asks Christopher if he brought what she asked for and he gives her a package. The doctor also reveals he’s to marry a woman named Lettice but it’s yet to be decided if she’ll come to Jamestown or he’ll go back to England. Back in Jamestown, the assembly is joined to talk about Silas Sharrow. Christopher shows the other men a portrait of Lettice as he’s congratulated on his betrothal. Later, Christopher heals Redwick’s face. Yeardley asks him if they can charge Henry Sharrow for firing against the militia but Redwick says they can’t prove it. Yeardley promises he’ll show Jamestown how authority speaks.

At the apothecary, Jocelyn asks Christopher about his bride Lettice. He tells her Lettice eyes are green. Jocelyn implies people with green eyes tend to be shallow. Christopher notices she’s afraid but they are interrupted by Henry Sharrow and Winganuske’s arrival. Henry says the baby has been taken ill with fever. Winganuske insists they must take the child to the Pamunkey but Henry dismisses her. He tells the baby has been sick for two days and doesn’t stop crying in pain. Christopher says the baby has an ague and must be bled with leeches. Winganuske is reluctant but Henry is sure the doctor will heal the baby. At the apothecary, Mercy is helping Christopher healing baby Virginia. They talk about the native’s medicine. The doctor assures the child will heal best if he bleeds her. Meanwhile, Pepper Sharrow arrives with Chacrow and a Pamunkey healer. But Christopher comes outside his apothecary to tell Henry and Winganuske that their baby has died. Back at Jamestown, Henry confronts Christopher. The doctor says he never promised the child would live and perhaps the native medicine would have saved her. Henry says he never again wants to feel the doctor’s measly eyes upon him.

At the apothecary, Christopher finds Virginia’s toy lying on the ground and is filled with guilt. Jocelyn arrives and asks if Lettice writes to him often. He gives Jocelyn the toy he found and says he must face Henry. However, Jocelyn asks Christopher about Willmus Crabtree. Christopher says Thomas Redwick came to ask him about Willmus this morning. He tells about an incident that happened when they were about to sail to Jamestown: a man recognized Crabtree and he was not pleased and showed a ring to him. Afterwards, this man abandoned his intention to travel and return to shore. Christopher goes to face Henry. Henry says he won’t blame the doctor for his daughter’s death because it was he who insisted on treating Virginia with English medicine. However, Christopher was the one who informed Yeardley about Silas dealings with the Pamunkey therefore he’ll never be a friend to the Sharrows. Meanwhile, Pedro arrives with a hurt Yeardley. Christopher tells Pedro to take the governor to his apothecary. Temperance asks what happened. Pedro replies Yeardley fell into a bear trap and the governor praises him for saving his life.

At his apothecary, Christopher confirms Temperance Yeardley’s pregnancy. Christopher tells Meredith Rutter that Verity is distressed. Meredith doesn’t recall what he did. The doctor says he told Tamlin Appleday that he was a rat that doesn’t deserve a mother and a father. Meredith says he would never say such a thing and he’ll talk to the boy. Christopher informs him that Tamlin has left Jamestown. Yeardley invites Christopher Priestley to his office for him to sign as a witness on his will. The doctor insists on reading it and discovers that the governor bequeaths Maria and Pedro to his children. Christopher is against it.

At the apothecary, Christopher has taken ill and Yeardley threatens him into remaining silent about the content of his will. Later, Christopher wants to get up but it’s stopped by Verity because he’s too weak. The doctor says he must call upon Pedro and Maria. Meanwhile, they both arrive to Yeardley's farm. The doctor tells them the governor has written in his will that Maria and Pedro are to be passed on to his children upon his death. They realize they will never be free. Pedro says that even if he kills Yeardley, the governor will own them beyond the grave. Verity asks what can be done. Christopher promises he’ll write to England to the Virginia Company but Maria doesn’t trust in English promises. Pedro thanks Christopher for his wish to help them. That night, Christopher goes to Jocelyn's house and tells her that Yeardley has bequeathed Pedro and Maria to his children in his will. Jocelyn decides she’ll be the one to stop Yeardley.

Christopher visits Willmus Crabtree at the garrison. The doctor asks Willmus why he doesn’t use the king signet to free himself. Willmus says it’s because then the governor would conceal the business upriver that it’s yet to be discovered. Christopher asks how would the arrest of the mariners who brought the African slaves to Jamestown depose the governor but he’s interrupted by Yeardley’s arrival. The doctor pretends to be giving medicine to Crabtree and leaves. Later, Yeardley visits Christopher’s apothecary. He asks the doctor if he visited Crabtree at the garrison last night and killed the rats but Christopher denies it. However, Yeardley is not convinced. He asks the doctor if Temperance has asked him for sleeping potions in spite of knowing the answer.

At Jamestown, Chacrow observes as the English entertain themselves. Christopher invites him to join them and he accepts. Later, Christopher and Jocelyn talk about Mercy's marriage to Pepper Sharrow. Christopher teases the prospect of losing such faithful servant must pain Jocelyn but she promises she’ll find another girl. At the woods, Christopher is attacked by Pamunkey warriors but Chacrow saves him. Chacrow takes an unconscious Christopher to the Sharrow Hundred and warns Henry and Silas about the attack and tells them to go to Jamestown. They run back to Jamestown. The gates of the settlement are closed and locked.
## Relationships

* Samuel
* Jocelyn

They were best companions and confidants. Christopher held Samuel Castell in high regard and valuated his opinions and views, often seeking his advice. It’s implied they shared the same political beliefs, although Christopher distanced himself from politics. The devotion he had for his friend is clear on his fierce wish to uncover his murderer and the reasons behind it.

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Christopher fell in love with Jocelyn Castell even before Samuel’s death. It’s unclear if Jocelyn felt the same for him or if it was only a maneuver for him to do her biting, despite their almost-kiss moment. Nevertheless, Jocelyn confide in him several times, including with her past and her worries about the letter Temperance Yeardley was to receive from her cousin. Christopher sheltered Jocelyn countless times, for instance when he knew she had poisoned both Redwick and Mercy with belladonna, and hide the true cause. He felt great guilt in his feelings towards her, while Samuel was still alive and even after his death, for he was hopeful that he might marry her, after all. However, he starts to notice that Jocelyn’s feelings for him have vanished and even suspects the way she talks with James Read. He is sure she doesn’t feel the same when he kisses her and Jocelyn doesn’t return the kiss. Christopher seems to have fallen out of love with her when Jocelyn confesses to him that she told Governor Yeardley that he might be the Spanish spy.

## Gallery

 Appearances

 Episode 8 | **Appears**

 Episode 8 | **Appears**

## References

1. ↑ Episode 1.02
2. ↑ Episode 1.05
3. ↑ Episode 1.01
4. ↑ Episode 2.05
5. ↑ Episode 1.01
6. ↑ Episode 1.02
7. ↑ Episode 1.02
8. ↑ Episode 1.05