First of the Filles du Roi arrive in New France
Arrival of the “Filles du Roi” in New France, Eleanore Fortescue Brickdale. Library and Archives Canada, 1996-371-1
1663
New France was not an attractive place for young women of marriageable age, and few immigrated. This led to a shortage of wives for the largely male population, hampering the growth of the colony. To address this, the French Crown paid for the passages of some 800 Frenchwomen between 1663 and 1673 — the so-called Filles du Roi or Daughters of the King — who arrived in the colony with trousseaus and were encouraged to find suitable husbands as quickly as possible. Mostly women of modest birth, those chosen had to be judged fit to handle the rigours of life in the rough colony.
Each day for 150 days leading up to the opening of the Canadian History Hall, we’re presenting one moment among the many that have shaped our country. Discover more of Canada’s significant historical events in the new Canadian History Hall, opening July 1, 2017.