Wilmont Kreis

It was just such a raid by the Iroquois on the Allard’s home village of Charlesbourg. This raid begins the action in Book Two: The Hunter. While out hunting, young Jean-Baptiste Allard and Joseph happen upon the raiding party. More from luck than skill, the boys thwart the effort and are regarded as heroes. You will have to read the book to discover how, but this notoriety drives much of their young adult lives. Read More 

Indian raids were common in both the French and English Colonies, and they were often related to the alliances between the two native groups and the two European colonies. Several famous raids are part of the stories and are found as late as Book Five: The City in the Wilderness. A few are well-known like the wars of Pontiac and Tecumseh and more are less renowned but equally interesting. Read More 

For two hundred years, the Jesuits sent reports of their dealings with the Native Americans back to France where they were published and sold in chronicle form. In their day, they were among the most widely read publications in France. Originally published in Latin, French and Italian, today the enormous collection of 73 volumes is available in many languages including English. They provide researchers with priceless information of the times and the native people. I also drew upon these books when researching The Allards. Read More 

A Catholic teaching order, the Jesuits are still active today and run many American Catholic schools and Universities. They were not the only order active in French-Canada but arguably had the greatest impact, particularly on the natives who they taught and converted regularly. Unfortunately along with religion they spread many diseases new to the New World such as smallpox, eliminating great swaths of the population. Read More