This year marks the 350th anniversary of the Régiment de Carignan-Salières and what better place to hold a series of lectures about the famed regiment than the Société d’historie de la seigneurie Chambly (SHSC). After all, it was in Chambly where the soldiers from this regiment first built a wooden fort in 1665.
The Chambly seigneury historical society, located a few minutes southeast of Montreal, kicks off its eight-lecture series on Sunday, January 18. All of the lectures in the series will be presented in French. Some of the lectures will be delivered in Chambly; others will be presented in Carignan.
Sunday, January 18, 1:30 p.m., Carignan
Le Régiment de Carignan-Salières sur les rives de la rivière Richelieu, autrefois appelée la rivière des Iroquois
Michel Langlois, historian, genealogist, author
The Régiment de Carignan-Salières came to New France in 1665 to fight the Iroquois. Mr. Langlois will talk about five officers from the regiment: Henri Chastelard de Salières, Jacques de Chambly, Pierre de Saurel, Antoine Pécaudy de Contrecœur, and Pierre de Saint-Ours.
Sunday, March 15, 1:30 p.m., Carignan
Le Régiment de Carignan-Salières, Les premières troupes françaises en Nouvelle-France
Marcel Fournier, genealogist, historian, author
About 1,300 soldiers came to New France in 1665 and more than 400 of them remained in Canada. From this number, 285 married and left many descendants living today. Who are they?
Sunday, May 24, 1:30 p.m., Carignan
Le Régiment de Carignan-Salières, une épopée par sa constitution et sa traversée en 1665
Gilles Tremblay, researcher
The soldiers in the Régiment de Salières sailed in the ships Vieux Siméon, Aigle d’or, La Paix, La Justice, and Saint-Sébastien. What dangers would they have faced crossing the Atlantic during the 17th century? Mr. Tremblay will talk about the ships and the voyage from Tracy in 1664-1665 and provide anecdotes about transporting soldiers.
Friday, June 12, 7:30 p.m., Chambly
Les origines du conflit franco-iroquois avant la venue du Régiment de Carignan-Salières dans notre région en 1665
Laurent Busseau, history consultant and advocate for the preservation of heritage in the Eastern Townships
Mr. Busseau will talk about the presence and diversity of Aboriginals in North America before 1600 and the major impacts caused by the differences between First Nations and European cultures. The Régiment de Carignan-Salières: military failure and strategic success.
Friday, August 21, 7:30 p.m., Chambly
Le Fort Saint-Louis et ses fortifications successive jusqu’en 1812
André Charbonneau, historian, military colonial art, author, Parks Canada historical services
The first wooden fort erected by the Régiment de Carignan-Salières was followed by other wooden forts and then a stone fort was built in 1711. This last fort was used during the War of 1812.
September 27, 1:30 p.m., Chambly
Chambly, 1665-2015 : 350 ans d’histoire
Louise Chevrier, novelist, journalist, Chambly historian, past-president of SHSC
When Captain Jacques de Chambly’s troops built the first fort in 1665, this marked the birth of the Chambly seigneury. From the American invasion of New France, to the War of 1812 and its British military, to the industrialisation in the 19th century, to the dawn of the 21st century, these are the highlights of Chambly’s history.
Sunday, October 18, 1:30 p.m., Carignan
Le Fort Sainte-Thérèse et les humeurs de Monsieur de Salières
Réal Fortin, retired professor, historian, author
Mr. Fortin will talk about the construction of the forts on the Richelieu River, including Fort Saint-Thérèse that had the sole purpose of preparing the troops for an expedition into Iroquois territory to destroy them and stop future attacks. Why did they prefer the Richelieu River to the St. Lawrence?
Sunday, November 15, 1:30 p.m., Carignan
Les soldats du Régiment de Carignan-Salières et les Filles du Roy
Marie Royal, historian, genealogist, president of the Société d’histoire et de généalogie de Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
Who were the Filles du Roy? Where did they come from? How did they adapt to life in New France? A number of these young women married soldiers in the Régiment de Carignan-Salières and lived in the Chambly seigneury.
More information about this lecture series is available on the Société d’historie de la seigneurie Chambly’s website.
