Charlesbourg-Royal

Fort Charlesbourg Royale

Drawing of Charlesbourg Royale (1542)
Location On the north shore of the St. Lawrence River at the tip of present day Cap-Rouge
Coordinates 46°45′15.3″N 71°34′15.9″W / 46.754250°N 71.571083°W / 46.754250; -71.571083Coordinates: 46°45′15.3″N 71°34′15.9″W / 46.754250°N 71.571083°W / 46.754250; -71.571083
Area 1 hectare (2.5 acres)
Built 1541-42
Location of Fort Charlesbourg Royale in Quebec

In 1541, on his third and final voyage, Jacques Cartier attempted to establish a French colony of 400 people, at present-day Cap-Rouge. Fort Charlesbourg Royale consisted of an upper fort, and lower fort located near the mouth of Rivière du Cap-Rouge. The upper fort, constructed at an elevation of 40 metres, offered a strategic defensive position, while the lower fort provided a potential anchorage for ships. The two forts had three towers. Charlesbourg Royale was named after Charles II, Duke of Orleans, third son of King Francis I of France.

During the first winter, 35 of Cartier’s men perished.[1] Fort Charlesbourg Royal was abandoned by the summer of 1543 due to the harsh weather, scurvy, and attacks from neighbouring Iroquoians of Stadacona and other villages.[1]

In August 2006, Quebec Premier Jean Charest and Canadian archaeologists under Yves Chretien announced the discovery of this long-lost settlement. Chretien identified its location from fragments of a decorated c.1540-1550 Italian style ceramic plate and six wood timber samples dated to the mid-16th century by a United States laboratory.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Conrad Heidenreich; K. Janet Ritch (2010). Samuel de Champlain Before 1604: Des Sauvages and Other Documents Related to the Period. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 43–44. ISBN 978-0-7735-3757-6.
  2. Canwest News Service (August 22, 2006). "Pottery shard unearths North America's first French settlement". Canada.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
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