Canonchet (also Nauntenoo[1] or Cononchet or Quanonchet,[2] died April 3, 1676[3]) was a Narragansett Sachem and leader of Native American troops during the Great Swamp Fight and King Philip's War.
Canonchet was a leader of the separatist Native community, or those who did not ally with English colonialists and did not accept the authority of European settlers.
[2] He developed a reputation for resisting the colonial leaders, who viewed him as "Ringleader of almost all this mischief, and great incendiary betwixt us [the English] and the Narragansetts," and who said that as "the son of Miantonomi, and heir of all his pride and insolence, as well as his malice against the English," Canonchet was "a most perfideous villain.
[4] He also maintained that traditional Native food sources, especially corn, were essential enough that it was worth risking capture to obtain them from contested regions.
[3] These beliefs made Canonchet a target of colonial leaders, who commissioned Pequot, Mohegan, and Niantic executioners to kill him.