In this episode we learn the political and geopolitical foundations of New France and the importance of the beloved King Henri IV to French expansion in North America. We follow Champlain in his youth, including his first adventure in the New World on a Spanish ship, and the circumstances under which he inherited a lot of money. We also meet the remarkable characters who recruited Champlain, or vice versa, to sail on an expedition to the St. Lawrence in 1603, where Champlain first heard tell of the big lakes in upstate New York, one of which bears his name, the Great Lakes, and the Hudson and Detroit rivers. Oh, and we learn the origin of the expression “a chicken in every pot.”

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Selected references for this episode

David Hackett Fischer, Champlain’s Dream

Eric Yanis, The Other States of America History Podcast

Geaux Tigers

Heartwarming Ted Lasso Moments (YouTube)