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Prince of Wales Fort, 1770
by Katie Churchill-King
Pub Date
Apr 22 2025
| Archive Date
Not set
Description
In 1770, Prince of Wales Fort and the hinterlands of Canada are kingdoms within themselves. From well-established trading ceremonies to clandestine relationships with Native women to age-old smuggling operations, the fort is a microcosm of the chaotic New World, hosting dreary days and bacchanal nights.
Shenandoah, descendant of the famous Montour family, is sold to a Chipewyan chief and accompanies the Chipewyan people to the shores of Hudson Bay to trade furs for guns, blankets, and wares. Apprentice Jeremiah has arrived on the latest supply ship with dreams of advancement and riches. Instead, the young man finds himself unable to escape the intrigues that pervade this isolated post.
In a land where wet powder or an exploded gun means certain starvation and everything worth knowing is hidden from the "directors" across the pond, the stage is set for the development of a shaky and uncertain existence that clings to decorum while ever threatening to unravel.
In 1770, Prince of Wales Fort and the hinterlands of Canada are kingdoms within themselves. From well-established trading ceremonies to clandestine relationships with Native women to age-old...
Description
In 1770, Prince of Wales Fort and the hinterlands of Canada are kingdoms within themselves. From well-established trading ceremonies to clandestine relationships with Native women to age-old smuggling operations, the fort is a microcosm of the chaotic New World, hosting dreary days and bacchanal nights.
Shenandoah, descendant of the famous Montour family, is sold to a Chipewyan chief and accompanies the Chipewyan people to the shores of Hudson Bay to trade furs for guns, blankets, and wares. Apprentice Jeremiah has arrived on the latest supply ship with dreams of advancement and riches. Instead, the young man finds himself unable to escape the intrigues that pervade this isolated post.
In a land where wet powder or an exploded gun means certain starvation and everything worth knowing is hidden from the "directors" across the pond, the stage is set for the development of a shaky and uncertain existence that clings to decorum while ever threatening to unravel.
A Note From the Publisher
Katie Churchill-King graduated in 2004 from Reed College with a BA in English and went on to receive her nursing degree. She has spent the last fourteen years working as a nurse in Bangor, Maine, and raising her three children. She is currently enrolled in the English MA program at the University of Maine. Katie spends her spare time reading history and creating characters and plotlines inspired by roguish, struggling, and conflicted individuals who inhabited past and forgotten worlds.
Katie Churchill-King graduated in 2004 from Reed College with a BA in English and went on to receive her nursing degree. She has spent the last fourteen years working as a nurse in Bangor, Maine, and...
A Note From the Publisher
Katie Churchill-King graduated in 2004 from Reed College with a BA in English and went on to receive her nursing degree. She has spent the last fourteen years working as a nurse in Bangor, Maine, and raising her three children. She is currently enrolled in the English MA program at the University of Maine. Katie spends her spare time reading history and creating characters and plotlines inspired by roguish, struggling, and conflicted individuals who inhabited past and forgotten worlds.
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9798888246702 |
| PRICE |
$15.95 (USD)
|
| PAGES |
120
|
Available on NetGalley
NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Send to Kindle (PDF)
Download (PDF)
Additional Information
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9798888246702 |
| PRICE |
$15.95 (USD)
|
| PAGES |
120
|
Available on NetGalley
NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Send to Kindle (PDF)
Download (PDF)
Average rating from 1 member
Featured Reviews
Phyllis R, Reviewer
"Prince of Wales Fort, 1770" is a compelling novella inspired by the historical writings of Samuel Hearne, who served under Moses Norton, a significant administrator at the Prince of Wales Fort in the 1770s, Manitoba, Canada. The narrative delves into the complex life of Norton, a man of mixed race who concealed his Native identity to assimilate into a society that openly discriminated against non-Europeans.
Despite its brevity, the novella offers a profound exploration of the interconnectivity between the English and Native Canadian tribes, highlighting their mutual dependence for trade and survival. The children born from European men and Native women navigate the challenging duality of their heritage, seeking acceptance in both worlds. The author skillfully draws from Hearne's memoirs to depict key characters, particularly Norton, who is portrayed as a man of outward virtue but inward jealousy and cruelty towards his concubines.
The novella remains true to the social attitudes of the era, depicting life at an outpost populated by dubious men and the normalized mistreatment of Native women and children. It underscores the destructive nature of greed and the relentless exploitation of humans in the pursuit of wealth, natural resources, and social status. Additionally, the author weaves in glimpses of Native myths and religious beliefs, cleverly juxtaposing them with European Christian beliefs to highlight the absurdities and inconsistencies of both.
"Prince of Wales Fort, 1770" is a succinct yet impactful novella that introduces readers to historical and fictional characters who will reappear in future works. It is a thought-provoking read that offers a deep dive into the complexities of colonial life and the enduring impact of cultural intersections.
Featured Reviews
Phyllis R, Reviewer
"Prince of Wales Fort, 1770" is a compelling novella inspired by the historical writings of Samuel Hearne, who served under Moses Norton, a significant administrator at the Prince of Wales Fort in the 1770s, Manitoba, Canada. The narrative delves into the complex life of Norton, a man of mixed race who concealed his Native identity to assimilate into a society that openly discriminated against non-Europeans.
Despite its brevity, the novella offers a profound exploration of the interconnectivity between the English and Native Canadian tribes, highlighting their mutual dependence for trade and survival. The children born from European men and Native women navigate the challenging duality of their heritage, seeking acceptance in both worlds. The author skillfully draws from Hearne's memoirs to depict key characters, particularly Norton, who is portrayed as a man of outward virtue but inward jealousy and cruelty towards his concubines.
The novella remains true to the social attitudes of the era, depicting life at an outpost populated by dubious men and the normalized mistreatment of Native women and children. It underscores the destructive nature of greed and the relentless exploitation of humans in the pursuit of wealth, natural resources, and social status. Additionally, the author weaves in glimpses of Native myths and religious beliefs, cleverly juxtaposing them with European Christian beliefs to highlight the absurdities and inconsistencies of both.
"Prince of Wales Fort, 1770" is a succinct yet impactful novella that introduces readers to historical and fictional characters who will reappear in future works. It is a thought-provoking read that offers a deep dive into the complexities of colonial life and the enduring impact of cultural intersections.
