1534: Cartier planted a 30-foot cross in Gaspé Bay, took two of Donnacona's sons. 1536: kidnapped Donnacona + 9 others, promising return in 12 moons. 9 never came home.
Jacques Cartier kidnaps Chief Donnacona and the myth of the Kingdom of Saguenay
CanadaGeneral
Site mentioned
Key facts
- In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier sailed into Gaspé Bay, and erected a 30-foot cross, claiming the land for France.
- Chief Donnacona of Stadacona (near present-day Quebec) protested and was lured onto Cartier's ship, who then seized two of his sons, Domagaya and Taignoagny.
- The sons told Cartier about a rich kingdom called Saguenay in the northwest.
- In spring 1536, Cartier kidnapped Donnacona and nine others, promising they would return within 10 or 12 moons.
- Donnacona died in France around 1539; nine of the ten Iroquoian captives died in France.
- When Cartier returned in 1541, he told the new chief that Donnacona and the others were living as lords in France and chose not to return.
- At Cap Rouge, Cartier's men found quartz they believed were diamonds and iron pyrite they believed was gold.
- Some historians believe the Iroquoians may have encountered Norse visitors centuries earlier, with stories distorted over generations.
Sources
Jacques Cartier 1534-1542 | Virtual Museum of New Francehistorymuseum.ca
The 30-foot cross he erected at Pointe-Penouille seemed improper to Donnacona, the Native chief. Fearing the consequences of this discontent, Cartier lied, ...
Gaspé History – Cradle of French Canada & Jacques Cartierkupi.com
1534 — Jacques Cartier lands on the peninsula and erects a wooden cross, which is considered the symbolic moment of the founding of French Canada. 1758 — During ...
An Analysis of Jacques Cartier's Exploration of the Gaspé Coast, 1534erudit.org
We believe that Jacques Cartier and his crewmen erected the 30-foot (9-m) wooden cross on Pointe de Penouille, right next to the Iroquoians' encampment, and its ...
Cross of Gaspé - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
The original Cross of Gaspé was erected on July 24, 1534 overlooking the bay of Gaspé, by the team of Jacques Cartier on his first trip exploration in the Gulf ...
Cartier Erecting a Cross at Gaspe - C.W. Jefferyscwjefferys.ca
Cartier set up a great cross, bearing a shield with three fleurs-de-lis, the arms of France, hung from its centre, with the words, "Vive le Roy de France," ...
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