The Queen unveiled a monument to the courage of a native American Indian who died serving his people almost three hundred years ago.
Her Majesty, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, attended a service at Southwark Cathedral dedicated to the Native American leader of the Mohegan tribe, Mahomet Weyonomon.
Weyonomon was the 'Sachem', or leader, of the Mohegan tribe in 1735 when most of their planting and hunting lands was lost to English settlers.
Mahomet travelled to England with John and Samuel Mason, who were supporters of the tribe, in order to petition King George II and seek justice for his people.
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The Queen receives a copy of the original petition brought over by Mahomet Weyonomon in 1735
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Mahomet and the Masons rented rooms in the Aldermanbury in the City of London. They visited many influential members of the Court and prepared their petition and the king referred it to the Lords Commissioners on foreign trade and plantations. Before the commission was fulfilled, John Mason died of smallpox and a few weeks later, Mahomet succumbed to the same disease.
As a foreigner, Mahomet was not allowed to be buried in any of the cemeteries of the city of London. Instead, his body was carried in a torch-lit funeral procession through the streets of London and over London Bridge to be buried at 'St Mary Over's Burial-Place' which is now Southwark Cathedral.
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Her Majesty meets members of the modern-day Mohegan tribe
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The events at Southwark cathedral celebrated Mahomet's extraordinary sacrifices and acknowledged his grave at the cathedral, where he has lain in obscurity for over 270 years.
On arrival, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were met by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and The Very Reverend Colin Slee, Dean of Southwark Cathedral.
After meeting Chapter staff, they attended a service dedicated to the Native American Indian leader.
Current members of the Mohegan tribe Indians gathered in the churchyard, dressed in their turkey feather headdresses, to perform a traditional Mohegan burial rite before Her Majesty unveiled the new monument.
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The Queen watches a tribal dance by the Mohegans
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The Queen was presented with a native American peace pipe during the ceremony and a copy of the petition Mahomet had failed to hand over personally to the 18th century monarch.
Bruce Two Dogs Bozsum from the tribe said of the event:
'He didn't have a proper funeral in our tribal tradition. This is what we want to give him now. Mahomet has his stone now - and his place in history.'
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