The tributes to Samuel de Champlain in the valley named after the man are numerous. There are six statues or monuments in his honor, many more historical interpretive signs, a college in Vermont's largest city Burlington, several public schools, and a town on the northern tip of New York State all dedicated to Samuel de Champlain. And, of course, there's the lake that he put his name on.
It is certainly a unique case in that Champlain is much more frequently discussed in Canadian histories rather than American. Yet here in this region of the U.S., we have a density of monuments in Champlain's honor that are second maybe only to Quebec City. Yet Champlain himself would only visit the lake that bears his name once in 1609.
Many of the tributes to Champlain were a result of the 300 and 400 year celebrations of his travels on the lake in 1909 and 2009 respectively. These monuments were not only a testament to the man Samuel de Champlain, but also largely emblematic of the French connections to the Champlain Valley that are numerous. From 1609 - 1759, France laid claim to the valley with forts and habitations. In the 1830's, there was a large reimmigration of French Canadians back to the Champlain Valley. There was even a contingent of French Canadians who fought with the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War would settle in the valley. They looked to Champlain, the lake and the man, with a sense of pride.
But what is the story behind Samuel de Champlain? And why did he travel to this isolated valley in 1609? We'll start at the beginning.
Champlain's Beginnings
Samuel de Champlain was born August 13, 1567 in France. Given how long ago this was, it is interesting to note that it was only 2012 when we found definitive evidence of when he was born. His birth date had remained a mystery before then, with guestimates ranging from 1564 to 1580. However, a French genealogist was finally able to discover his baptismal records. A couple of reasons it took so long to discover - Champlain claimed to have been born in Brouage, however the baptismal records were located in La Rochelle, which to that point had not been associated with Champlain.
Second, the baptismal records misspelled Champlain as Chapeleau. This was not uncommon for church or government records in France. In fact, that is one of a few variations on the spelling of the name Champlain that have been discovered.
The baptismal record also confirms what some historians had suspected all along - Champlain was baptized and raised as a Protestant. We will get to why this is incredibly important. Many clues before the discovery of this record indicated this was the case. The region he was born in was heavily Protestant. Also, the name Samuel was popular with Protestants at the time, and was virtually non-existent among Catholics.
So why is Samuel de Champlain's religious affiliations important to his story? The reason is this: Champlain grew up in a very violent time in French history. Over the course of 40 years, there were 9 civil wars! These were cruel and bloody conflicts that at times would engulf all of Europe. It is estimated that somewhere between 2 and 4 million lost their lives in these conflicts. These civil wars were almost exclusively Catholics vs. Protestants, and they were particularly violent.
This religious animosity and almost constant state of war would have a profound impact on Samuel de Champlain. At a young age, he witnessed the atrocities committed on both sides firsthand.
Although Champlain was born and raised Protestant, he would convert to Catholicism later in life. As would another man for whom Champlain had a very close and interesting relationship with: Prince Henri de Bearn and Navarre, of the House of Bourbon. Henri would eventually become the monarch of France: King Henri IV, in 1589.
There are many mysteries as to why and how Champlain was so close with King Henri IV. He was a loyal soldier in his forces, and it seems that the Champlain family was one of Henri's most adamant supporters during the religious wars. But even then, their relationship seems to go beyond that of a loyal family's support.
At a young age, Samuel de Champlain was given the title of "Sieur", a title of nobility. However, at the time the records indicate this title, he was only 28. He had not accomplished anything of record at that time, nor had he come from a noble family of wealth. He also received a royal pension every year from 1602 to 1610 (the year of Henri IV's death), and only sparsely received a pension after that.
One speculation is that Samuel de Champlain may have been an illegitimate son of Henri IV. I should note that there is no serious evidence that exists to support this claim whatsoever. However, if this were true, it would certainly explain a lot of mysteries, including those previously mentioned.
Champlain had seemingly unlimited access to King Henri IV. Whatever their relationship was, Henri had nothing but respect and admiration for Champlain. It might also explain why, after Henri IV's death, Marie de Medici (who assumed the crown) and Cardinal Richelieu treated Champlain with a borderline hostile attitude. There are also the oral histories of some First Nations leaders who claim they heard Champlain was the son of a king. One even claimed to have heard this from Champlain himself.
There's also the fact that Henri IV was known to... enjoy the company of ladies. I'll try to keep this PG-13, but Henri IV, well, "got busy" with some frequency. He was known to have at least 56 mistresses and have fathered at least 11 illegitimate children with at least five women. Henri frequented La Rochelle at this time, as his mother was living in that region.
Again, I will reiterate that there is no evidence to this claim. But if this were true, it would certainly explain a lot of these mysterious circumstances.
I am Henri IV, I am
Back quickly to King Henri IV. Before he was King of France, he was King of the medieval state of Navarre, the Basque region that bordered France and Spain at the Pyrenees Mountain Range. Just as he had assumed the role of King for that region, he married hist first wife in a grandiose ceremony in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Many high ranking Protestants where in attendance, somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,500 Protestant leaders. Rumors that the Huguenots were going to assassinate the King and take the throne drove the current King, Charles IX, to a state of paranoia. He ordered the first move and arrested Henri. That triggered a massacre. Nearly 1,500 Protestants were killed - Men, women, and children. Bodies were mutilated on the streets of Paris. This would come to be known as the Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day. Henri barely escaped with his life, and was forced to convert to Catholicism or face execution.
King Charles IX died a couple of years later, and Henri III took over as King, a moderate from a different house who would attempt a middle ground to end hostilities. However, Henry III and the Catholic leader, Henri of Guise, were beginning to notice with jealousy the rising popularity of Henri of Navarre. Confused yet? France would be thrown into yet another state of war, with the War of the Three Henri's. King Henri III would have Henri of Guise assassinated, and in turn Henri III would be assassinated by a Catholic fanatic. This would leave Henri of Navarre and Bearn left standing to become King Henri IV. The first King from the House of Bourbon, whose dynasty would last over 200 years until the French Revolution.
Lastly on King Henri IV, he would become one of the most popular Kings in the history of France. Although he was Protestant, he promised peace in France and even received support from some war-weary Catholics who wished to bring an end to the civil wars of religion. Then, in a surprise move, he converted (for a third time) to Catholicism. It is believed that Champlain himself converted around the same time as his beloved mentor.
But that was not enough for some hardline Catholics, and yet again another Civil War broke out. Once again, other European powers would enter the conflict, notably Spain on the side of the Catholics and England on the side of King Henri IV. Samuel de Champlain served in this war and would gain valuable military experience during the heavy fighting in Brittany. He would also gain valuable leadership skills, which would eventually serve him well in the New World. He would also serve with soldiers who had been to the New World, and Champlain took note of their experiences.
This conflict would come to an end with the Edict of Nantes, which declared Catholicism as the official religion of France, but tolerated Protestantism in a certain degree. It was a monumental middle ground that resulted in an end to the fighting. From the Edict of Nantes, King Henri IV started a major shift from religious unity to civil unity. First and foremost, the populous were citizens of France. Religious affiliation would come second. This finally brought peace to France, and enhanced the Humanist Movement that both Henri IV and Champlain were a part of. The idea at the core of humanism was the evolving idea that all humankind are created equal. This movement would manifest itself in the Enlightenment period, for which many of America's founders were greatly influenced. It is from the Humanist Movement and these beliefs that Champlain, with the mentorship of King Henri IV, would carefully plan France's ventures into North America.
Samuel de Champlain, the Spy
As King Henri IV looked to use this rare time of peace in France to expand French ventures into the New World, he looked to none other than his trusted ally, Samuel de Champlain. Champlain's uncle was a renowned mariner who had a large ship called the Saint-Julien. Through his uncle's connections, Champlain would accompany the ship which was rented by the Spanish and made his first journey to the Americas. Officially, Champlain was merely there to accompany the ship and make sure that the vessel was being well taken care of by the Spanish. However, his real mission per King Henri IV was to act as a spy and gain intelligence on the Spanish Americas and report back his findings.
On his adventures in Spanish America, Champlain visited Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican, and more. There, Champlain met his first Native Americans. He writes in his journals how impressed he was by their intellect and physical characteristics. Champlain believed the indigenous peoples to be of the same intelligence as Europeans. In terms of strength, Champlain was very impressed stating that the natives were stronger and better built than many of his European counterparts.
However, being in Spanish America, Champlain was a firsthand witness to the brutalities and horrific treatment of the indigenous peoples. Among the many cruelties he witnessed, he noted indigenous and African slaves being forced to dive to lethal depths in the pearl fisheries off of Venezuela. He also witnessed natives being mauled for skipping Catholic Mass. Champlain also makes note of something even more cruel - natives being burned alive for suspected heresy. In his accounts, Champlain creates a very vivid picture of a native being burned at the stake. In his journals, Champlain writes that the Spanish "...enslaved them or put them to death in such great numbers that the mere account of it arouses compassion for them." He saw the brutality in the Spanish Americas, and knew any French ventures into the New World would require a partnership with the First Nations to be successful.
Meticulous Planning
Samuel de Champlain was meticulous in his planning for the ventures in the New World. Beginning with his adventures in Spanish America, Champlain had studied previous failures by the French to establish themselves in the New World. Jacques Cartier had ventured to the St. Lawrence River in the 1530's, but was unable to establish a permanent base. In large part, this failure was due to Cartier's treatment of the First Nations, who he treated with brutality, and even kidnapped leaders to bring to New France - they never returned to their homes. Champlain knew that a peaceful cohabitation was the only way a French establishment would be successful.
As part of this meticulous planning, Champlain ventured to the New World on a scouting mission. They went to Tadoussac, northwest of present day Quebec City, where a French outpost had failed under Pierre de Chauvin in 1602. Champlain would accompany a merchant named Francois Grave Du Pont on a trading expedition in the area of Tadoussac. While there, Champlain encountered the Montagnais First Nation and immediately established a good relationship. This relationship would help shape New France and North America for centuries to come. He would publish his journals in a work titled "Des Sauvages, ou, Voyage de Samuel de Champlain, De Brouage" and remains in print today.
Now, it is important to put historical context on the language in which Champlain refers to the people of the First Nations. At this time, the term "sauvage" DID NOT have the negative connotation that the word "savage" has today. At the time of Champlain's journeys, the term "sauvage" simply meant and translated to forest dwellers, or people of the forest.
After this successful scouting mission, Champlain would return to the New World in 1604 with Pierre Dugua de Mons, a Protestant trader who had been given a monopoly on the fur trade. Together they would try to establish a base on the Atlantic Coast in Passamaquoddy Bay on an island he would call St. Croix Island, in what is the St. Croix River. This river, and the island are in between present day Maine in the U.S., and New Brunswick in Canada. Champlain figured that the latitude was equivalent to that in France, so the climate should be the same. He was proven fatally wrong.
The winter of 1604 on the island was brutal, to say the least. The first snows began the first week in October. The temperatures were frigid. The river froze, thawed, and refroze again to the point where the river was impassable. The 79 men were stuck on the island. The habitants started to succumb to disease, including scurvy. It would be unknown until centuries later, but scurvy was actually not a disease, but rather vitamin C deficiency. Champlain began to suspect as much, owing to the fact that those who ate fresh meat, instead of the salted meats and bread diet of these habitants, were more likely to survive the winter.
When spring arrived, there were less than a dozen of those 79 habitants who were considered in good health. Many had died. This would be one of Champlain's biggest mistakes.
The following year, they decided to move the settlement to Port Royal in what is now Nova Scotia, across the Bay of Fundy from St. Croix. Learning from his mistakes, the settlement at Port Royal would be much more successful, with a much higher survival rate. Champlain would also explore much of the Atlantic seacoast to as far as Cape Cod. Champlain had established gardens, and once again established positive relations with the First Nations around Port Royal. Port Royal would also be home to one of the first plays in North American history, put on in honor of Champlain, the settlers, and the First Nations. It was put on by Marc Lescarbot and was titled "Le Theatre de Neptune."
Despite the commercial and habitational success, Champlain and de Mons would be forced to leave, as the company that was responsible for the fur trade had their monopoly revoked due to Paris politicking. The company was broke. Reluctantly, Champlain sailed back to New France despite his successes.
Founding of Quebec
Now to the part of Samuel de Champlain's story that directly connects to the Champlain Valley. After the business failure of Port Royal, the markets in Europe were shifting, and demand for furs was growing rapidly. One of the best areas of North America for quality furs, including the highly desirable beaver pelts, was the St. Lawrence River Valley. De Mons and Champlain were busy in the courts of Paris trying to convince King Henri IV and others that settlement was worth another shot in North America. The king eventually agreed, and Champlain and de Mons were busy planning this new venture.
They would settle on three settlements, two along the St. Lawrence River, and one at the aforementioned Port Royal, for which the Mi'kmaq nation had taken good care of out of respect for the French. Champlain looked for a spot on the interior of the river valley that would be more suitable and where the currents were a little more forgiving. That place would be Quebec City. There Champlain built an impressive complex that could be defended easily, and was designed in a very European manner. It was hard work to get the settlement ready, and Champlain nearly didn't survive due to an attempted mutiny.
Four workers were fed up with being driven tirelessly by Champlain. They had conspired to murder him, take over the colony, then seek a partnership with Spain. The day before these events were to transpire, Champlain was warned of the plot and had all four men arrested. Three were returned to France where they would be tried, and the ring leader, Jean Duval, was sentenced to death. He was strangled, hung, and decapitated - his severed head placed on a spike to discourage future uprisings. Champlain learned a lot about leadership during this event.
After this nearly fatal episode, Champlain began regular meetings and visitations with the area First Nations, the Montagnais and the Algonquin. They were also interested on Champlain's proposal for a mutually beneficial partnership. However, in return, they asked Champlain and the French for assistance with their common enemy. That enemy was the most feared nation and among the most skilled warriors in all of North America. They were the Mohawks.
For Part 2 of this article, click here. Sources included at the end of Part 2.