Maple History: A Canadian History Podcast

Radisson and Groseilliers make it to London where they will begin working with the English on their plan to reshape the fur trade. Don't worry though, there are some more people Radisson will screw over in the next few years. He can't help himself.

Sources:
Bush Runner: The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson by Mark Bourrie
The Company: The Rise and Fall of the Hudson's Bay Empire by Stephen R. Bown
Company of Adventurers by Peter C. Newman

Martin Fournier, “RADISSON, PIERRE-ESPRIT,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 2, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed October 7, 2026, https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/radisson_pierre_esprit_2E.html

Mockerman, Mitchell (2017) “Men of the Fur Trade, ca. 1620-1770s,” McNair Scholars Journal: Vol. 21: Iss. 1, Article 10

Saunders, Richard M. “The Emergence of the Coureur de Bois as a Social Type.” The Canadian Historical Association Annual Report 18, no. 1 (1939): 22–33.
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Pierre Esprit Radisson had many admirable traits such as bravery and charm, but his willingness to throw over any sense of loyalty to family or nation when it suited him was truly remarkable. This episode covers his early days in North America where he will craft a plan to change the path of the fur trade in Canada.

Sources:

Bush Runner by Mark Bourrie

The Company: The Rise and Fall of The Hudson's Bay Empire by Stephen R. Brown

Martin Fournier, “RADISSON, PIERRE-ESPRIT,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 2, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed October 7, 2026, https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/radisson_pierre_esprit_2E.html.
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The late 17th century was a time of great transition in New France. The shift from the free-wheeling coureur de bois to the more recognizable voyageurs is part of this time of change.

Sources

The Canadian Frontier 1534-1760, Revised edition. by W.J. Eccles

Mockerman, Mitchell (2017) “Men of the Fur Trade, ca. 1620-1770s,” McNair Scholars Journal: Vol. 21: Iss. 1, Article 10

Saunders, Richard M. “The Emergence of the Coureur de Bois as a Social Type.” The Canadian Historical Association Annual Report 18, no. 1 (1939): 22–33.

Slater, Sandra. “Fur Traders, Voyageurs, and Coureurs des Bois: Economic Masculinities in French Canadian Fur Trade Society, 1635–1754.” Masculinities: A Journal of Identity and Culture, no. 1 (2014): 92–108.
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She may be known for bravely fighting off a Haudenosaunee attack at her family fort at 14 but you can find out why I think she was a horrible in this episode. Some salty language in this one but it is warranted.

Sources:

Heroines & History: Representations of Madeleine de Verchèreres and Laura Secord by Colin M. Coates and Cecilia Morgan

Noel, Jan. “New France: Les femmes favorisées.” Atlantis 6, no. 2 (1981): 80–98.

Noel, Jan. “Women in New France: Further Reflections.” Atlantis 8, no. 1 (1982): 125–130.

André Vachon, “JARRET DE VERCHÈRES, MARIE-MADELEINE (baptized Marie-Magdelaine) (Madeleine, Madelon) (Tarieu de La Pérade),” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 3, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed August 19, 2026, https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/jarret_de_vercheres_marie_madeleine_3E.html.

Coates, Colin M. “Warrior Women: The Legend of Madeleine de Verchères.” The Beaver 82, no. 2 (April–May 2002): 8–13.

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Let's take a quick look at what was happening in Acadia after the feud between D'Aulney and La Tour ended.

Sources:

A Great and Noble Scheme by John Mack Faragher

The Aboiteau in Acadia (info about the unique dike system used in Acadian)

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