In the age of Pacific exploration, two men spearheaded expeditions to parts of globe previously uncharted by Europeans - Jean François de La Pérouse and James Cook. Although La Pérouse and Cook would never meet, both men would converge on Cape Breton Island in the year 1758, near the beginning of their careers. This episode … Continue reading Podcast Episode 04 – Explorers La Pérouse and Cook Converge on Cape Breton, 1758
Canadian history podcast
Podcast Episode 02c – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
Note - Since the publishing of this podcast, historian Éva Guillorel from the University of Rennes in France has done significant research into the origins of “La Complainte de Louisbourg.” She has uncovered evidence that this Acadian folksong is based on an older French song written about one of the sieges of Philippsburg. Her findings … Continue reading Podcast Episode 02c – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
Podcast Episode 03 – French Explorer La Pérouse and the Shores of Cape Breton, 1757
Jean-François de La Pérouse was one of the most renowned mariners and explorers of the 18th century, but in 1788 he and his expedition disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a mystery that would take decades to unravel. La Pérouse visited Cape Breton Island several times during his early years at sea - this episode … Continue reading Podcast Episode 03 – French Explorer La Pérouse and the Shores of Cape Breton, 1757
Podcast Episode 02b – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
The second part of episode 2 analyzes the lyrics of “Louisbourg’s Lament” in order to see how it holds up against the historical record of the fall of Louisbourg in 1745. Note - Since the publishing of this podcast, historian Éva Guillorel from the University of Rennes in France has done significant research into the … Continue reading Podcast Episode 02b – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
Podcast Episode 02a – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
In the first part of our second episode, we examine the traditional Acadian song “La Complainte de Louisbourg”, or “Louisbourg’s Lament”, a song believed to have originated with an eye-witness to the 1745 Siege of Louisbourg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iPMhPJ1kD0&t=12s Video credit: - Songs of Nova Scotia - Producing Agency: National Film Board of Canada Photo credit: - … Continue reading Podcast Episode 02a – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
The Lost World of Cape Breton Island 