August 23, 2006
Sainte Marie among the Hurons, 1639-1649.
At the time, Sainte Marie was the largest European settlement west of Montreal. Home of the Canadian Martyrs and a famous Christmas Carol, it served (much later) as the basis of an excellent film. In 1649 the village was burned to prevent its loss to the Iroquois, and the inhabitants moved to Christian Island before returning to Quebec.
Yesterday, starting with a fire in the smithy, the village burned again.
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God I loved that movie, as I had Brian Moore's book beforehand. It's afantastic adaptation and could have been sponsored by the Canadian Tourist Board - some of the pull-away shots of the canoe heading up the river through heavy forest were sublime. I'll be enjoying these lovely links, Capt. Thanks.
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Some more details on the Martyrs themselves here. Features vivid contemporary accounts of their torture and death.
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Slightly more info on the fire.
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Wouldn't this make it more authentic? Given the use of wood at the prime building material during the time period, and the lack of fire departments, there must have been plenty of fires. Also, Renaissance Fairs need more plague victims wandering around.
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Nicely posted, Cap'n. I sometimes think that the Iroquois had the right idea.
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Vistors...learn among other things, fire starting techniques... Well, there's your problem right there. Northern: Don't be hatin' on the lepers. Lepers need love, too. Wanted sign in front of visitor's center: Village in need of an idiot.
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re: Black Robe: It's been a while since I've read/seen either one, but I remember loving the book and being greatly disappointed with the movie.