Sir David Kirke was born in Dieppe, France in 1597 to an English father and a French mother. Kirke is an interesting character in Canadian history not least because of his daring plan to rescue King Charles I from execution.
In 1627 some London merchants formed a company with the intent to trade and found settlements along the St. Lawrence River. When war broke out later that same year between England and France (as tended to happen in those days) the company financed an expedition to the New World under Kirke in order to drive out the French. Accompanied by his brothers he set out with three ships. The campaign went well with a quick capture of Tadoussac as well as a supply ship headed for Quebec. Kirke had surrender conditions delivered to Champlain (then in charge of the outpost). Champlain, confident in the settlement's defences and expecting supplies from France, refused to surrender. Kirke for his part decided not to attack the well-armed outpost. However, Champlain just couldn't catch a break. The French supply ships were captured by the English and Champlain was eventually forced to come to terms.
A small wrinkle in all this was that peace had been declared in April and Quebec captured in July. It would be several years of negotiation before the French colony was returned in 1632. In 1633 for his service to his king (and perhaps as compensation for having to give Quebec back) Kirke was knighted.
In 1637 he was made co-proprietor of Newfoundland along with the Marquis of Hamilton and the earls of Pembroke and Holland. He would become Governor of the island in 1639. He was given a grant of arms that in the intervening period would fall into obscurity only to re-emerge later and be adopted as Newfoundland's coat of arms. He had an unenviable position as governor as he had to contend with a foreign fishery that did not want local settlement on the island. Nevertheless he brought about 100 colonists to the settlement of Ferryland where he also erected fortifications.
In 1627 some London merchants formed a company with the intent to trade and found settlements along the St. Lawrence River. When war broke out later that same year between England and France (as tended to happen in those days) the company financed an expedition to the New World under Kirke in order to drive out the French. Accompanied by his brothers he set out with three ships. The campaign went well with a quick capture of Tadoussac as well as a supply ship headed for Quebec. Kirke had surrender conditions delivered to Champlain (then in charge of the outpost). Champlain, confident in the settlement's defences and expecting supplies from France, refused to surrender. Kirke for his part decided not to attack the well-armed outpost. However, Champlain just couldn't catch a break. The French supply ships were captured by the English and Champlain was eventually forced to come to terms.
A small wrinkle in all this was that peace had been declared in April and Quebec captured in July. It would be several years of negotiation before the French colony was returned in 1632. In 1633 for his service to his king (and perhaps as compensation for having to give Quebec back) Kirke was knighted.
In 1637 he was made co-proprietor of Newfoundland along with the Marquis of Hamilton and the earls of Pembroke and Holland. He would become Governor of the island in 1639. He was given a grant of arms that in the intervening period would fall into obscurity only to re-emerge later and be adopted as Newfoundland's coat of arms. He had an unenviable position as governor as he had to contend with a foreign fishery that did not want local settlement on the island. Nevertheless he brought about 100 colonists to the settlement of Ferryland where he also erected fortifications.
King Charles I During the English Civil War Sir David Kirke sided with the Royalists. This is when a most daring plan was concocted. He implored King Charles to seek sanctuary at the Ferryland settlement. This is not as far-fetched as it sounds since, when well supplied, the settlement was virtually unassailable by sea. Sir David began improving the colony's defences and outfitting a fleet. In 1648 the plan became even more feasible when a large part of the English Navy deserted to the Royalists. Prince Rupert, a leader on the Royalist side, wanted to use the fleet to rescue the King who was being held on the Isle of Wright. It is an open question whether the two men were actively working together but Cromwell did fear the island would be used as a Royalist base to strike at English shipping and kept it under strict monitoring. Alas, the planning and preparation of both men came to naught and King Charles was murdered by the Cromwell regime in early 1649.
It seems Sir David may have intended to continue the fight as he hired 400 sailors, ostensibly as fishermen, in 1649. However, Cromwell had access to the colony too strictly controlled and Sir David was forced to make peace with him. The remains of the Royalist fleet commanded by Prince Rupert was reduced to a handful of ships by 1653.
Sir David was recalled to England where he died of natural causes but his family would remain at the Ferryland settlement for some time. It would take a raid on the settlement in 1673 and another in 1696 to finally dislodge the Kirkes from Newfoundland.
It is interesting to speculate on what might have been had King Charles made his escape to Newfoundland. It is unlikely Parliament would have recalled a man they had just fought a bitter war with. It is indeed possible that the centre of of what was at the time still a modest empire would have shifted to Canadian shores.
Regardless, Sir David Kirke showed loyal service to his king and the fledgling colony of Newfoundland.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
Sir David was recalled to England where he died of natural causes but his family would remain at the Ferryland settlement for some time. It would take a raid on the settlement in 1673 and another in 1696 to finally dislodge the Kirkes from Newfoundland.
It is interesting to speculate on what might have been had King Charles made his escape to Newfoundland. It is unlikely Parliament would have recalled a man they had just fought a bitter war with. It is indeed possible that the centre of of what was at the time still a modest empire would have shifted to Canadian shores.
Regardless, Sir David Kirke showed loyal service to his king and the fledgling colony of Newfoundland.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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