10 Interesting Facts about Samuel de Champlain

If you love to read some historical story or visit historical place, then you should first read one of these following facts about Samuel de Champlain. Samuel de Champlain, also known as the Father of New France, was a French navigator, cartographer, draughtsman, soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnologist, diplomat and chronicler. He found New France and Quebec City on July 3, 1608 and is important to Canadian history because he made the first accurate map of the coast and he helped establish the settlements. To get to know more about him, here are some other facts about Samuel de Champlain you may like.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 1: Early Travels

In 1598, his uncle-in-law, a navigator whose ship Saint-Julien was chartered to transport Spanish troops to Cadiz pursuant to the Treaty of Vervins, gave Champlain the opportunity to accompany him.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 2: Founding of Quebec City

On July 3, 1608, Champlain landed at the “point of Quebec” and set about fortifying the area by the erection of three main wooden buildings, each two stories tall, that he collectively called the “Habitation”, with a wooden stockade and a moat 12 feet (4 m) wide surrounding them. This was the very beginning of Quebec City.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 3: Marriage

One route Champlain may have chosen to improve his access to the court of the regent was his decision to enter into marriage with the twelve-year-old Hélène Boullé. She was the daughter of Nicolas Boullé, a man charged with carrying out royal decisions at court.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 4: Relations and War with Natives

During the summer of 1609, Champlain attempted to form better relations with the local native tribes. He made alliances with the Wendat and with the Algonquin, the Montagnais and the Etchemin, who lived in the area of the St. Lawrence River. These tribes demanded that Champlain help them in their war against the Iroquois, who lived further south.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 5: Exploration of New Franc

On March 29, 1613, arriving back in New France, he first ensured that his new royal commission be proclaimed. Champlain set out on May 27 to continue his exploration of the Huron country and in hopes of finding the “northern sea” he had heard about. He traveled to many places since then.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 6: Military Expedition

On September 1, at Cahiagué (A Huron community on what is now called Lake Simcoe), he and the northern tribes started a military expedition against the Iroquois. The party passed Lake Ontario at its eastern tip where they hid their canoes and continued their journey by land.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 7: Improving Administration in New France

Champlain returned to New France in 1620 and was to spend the rest of his life focusing on administration of the territory rather than exploration. Champlain spent the winter building Fort Saint-Louis on top of Cape Diamond.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 8: Last Return and Last Years Working in Quebec

Champlain returned to Quebec on May 22, 1633, after an absence of four years. Richelieu gave him a commission as Lieutenant General of New France, along with other titles and responsibilities, but not that of Governor. Despite this lack of formal status, many colonists, French merchants, and Indians treated him as if he had the title; writings survive in which he is referred to as “our governor”.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 9: Journals and Maps

He kept very detailed journals that had maps and pictures of all his voyage.  He made the firstaccurate map of the coast.  He was the first person to make a map of Acadia and the Great Lakes.

Facts about Samuel de Champlain 10: Illnesses and Death

Champlain suffered a severe stroke in October 1635, and died on 25 December 1635, leaving no immediate heirs. Jesuit records tell us he died in the care of his friend and confessor Charles Lallemant.

For such a great person like Champlain who has successfully made an amazing journey and maps, these article is really worth reading. Hope you would find these Samuel de Champlain facts really interesting and useful.