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| English: Historic HBC buildings and cemetery in Centennial Park, Moose Factory, Ontario, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Okey dokey.
It's the middle of the 17th century.
France is involved
in the 30 years war which continues to rage in Europe and not-so-jolly-old England is in
the midst of a bloody civil war.
Meanwhile
back at the ranch in North America things are progressing as if they can't hear
the screams.
The French
have become quite comfortable in their little love nest on the St. Lawrence and
are now expanding south.
They reach the Mississippi about 1682 and claim
it for France.
The rescals also venture north into territory claimed by the English king, (before his own people cut his head off).
And even though the Brits had kept it hidden for so long Radison and
Grossliers found Hudson's Bay in 1661.
So it shouldn't be a surprise,
(although I would have been surprised to see armed French troops marching across the tundra),
to learn that in 1686
they caught the British by surprise at the Moose Factory Hudson's
Bay Trading Post.
And that day, my friends, when the English surrendered,
was when the shit hit the Canadian fan, our
troubles started.
10 comments:
I'm not surprised they were caught unawares - the tundra's not exactly the place you expect a sneak attack! I would have thought the French were too busy 'getting busy,' lol!!
I am thoroughly enjoying these history lessons.
love history (they way you tell it )
I remember RADissawn and GRAWSaleers from history class at school. French pronunciation was a mystery to prairie school teachers in those days.
Hahaha...I love your teaching style, Francie. I don't remember any of this (it's been so long) and it was time for a refresher course --- but only if it was interesting! I guess the French took a little time out from l'amour.
Thanks for the comments everyone.
And I must say that Prairie kids were apparently more polite than Ontario kids. We called Radison and Grosliers Radishes and Gooseberries
oh Francie, you are something... it was kind of funny though because when I first read "France is engaged in a 30 year war..." I actually read "Francie is engaged in a 30 year war..." :)
Am I horrible for thinking, "I bet the French looked cute in their extra official uniform as they marched through treeless terrain, at the mercy of the rifles of anyone who might be watching..."
You know, I should do a series of Dominican history as I see it... I wonder if I can get through it without suffering a heart attack.
I assume the French language police immediately changed Moose Factory to L'Usine du orignal?
Ha ha. Or maybe l'usine pure laine
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