Castle Hill, Newfoundland and Labrador facts for kids
Fort Royal
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| Established | 1662 |
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| Location | Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. |
| Type | Historic fortifications |
Castle Hill is a historic place in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It has the old remains of forts built by both the French and the British. These forts overlook the town of Placentia (which the French called Plaisance).
The French first built forts here to protect their fishing in Newfoundland. They also wanted to guard the way to their colony of Canada.
Contents
Early Forts and Battles
To protect the bay, the French built a fort called Fort Plaisance in 1662. It was also known as Vieux Fort.
King William's War: Attacks and Defenses
During a war called King William's War, British attackers raided Plaisance in 1690. They were led by Herman Williamson. They took over the town and destroyed the fort. The people were held in the church for six weeks. The British left with the colony's supplies.
The French then built a new fort, Fort Saint-Louis, in 1691. It had 50 French soldiers. In 1692, British ships attacked Plaisance. They damaged houses with cannons. The British fleet left after a few days. The French later attacked the British settlement of St. John's in 1692 and 1694.
Fort Royal: A Stronghold is Built
Fort Royal was built in 1693 on top of Castle Hill. This fort helped protect the French colony from British warships. By the end of 1693, about 60 soldiers were stationed there.
Governor Jacques-François de Monbeton de Brouillan led French forces. They attacked English fishing boats and captured prisoners. He was joined by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. D'Iberville led a harsh attack on English settlements. This was part of the famous Avalon Peninsula Campaign.
In 1697, a large British force took back St. John's. They found the town empty and destroyed. The British then started building a strong fort called Fort William in St. John's. It was finished in 1700.
Queen Anne's War: More Conflicts
During Queen Anne's War, Governor Daniel d'Auger de Subercase arrived in 1702. He improved the French army. He also got rid of soldiers who caused trouble. The fort was strengthened with help from the Mi'kmaq people.
In 1705, Subercase attacked English settlements. He took the town of St. John's. But the Fort William soldiers held out. After a five-week siege, Subercase went back to Placentia. He took many goods and hundreds of captured townspeople. French and Indigenous groups continued to attack English towns in 1706.
In 1708, England tried to starve Plaisance by blocking the harbor. The town also held 500 English prisoners. Despite the blockade, Joseph de Monbeton de Brouillan attacked English settlements. In 1709, he took St. John's with 170 men. He captured 800 prisoners and destroyed the town's defenses.
By 1711, the French fort had 250 soldiers. The governor believed they needed at least 300 soldiers to defend the colony well.
In 1713, the French gave up their right to settle in Newfoundland. They built a new strong fort at Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island. British settlers and soldiers then took over the forts at Placentia. They stayed there until 1811.
Father Rale's War: British Take Over
After taking over Fort Louis, the British built a new fort called Fort Frederick (Newfoundland). This helped them protect Placentia. It was the main military base for Newfoundland from 1721 to 1746.
There was a report that the Mi'kmaq people raided Plaisance during Father Rale's War. They were said to have killed 200 English people. However, Governor Drummer did not believe this report.
By the 1740s, the British started building a "New Fort." This fort was built over the old Fort Louis.
Castle Hill National Historic Site
Castle Hill National Historic Site was named a National Historic Site in 1968. This happened after many years of digging up old artifacts. Today, Parks Canada manages the ruins of the fort.
Key parts of the site you can see today include:
- Remains of the walls of Gaillardin Redoubt (built in 1692)
- Parts of Fort Royal (built 1693–1703) and a separate Redoubt (built 1697)
- La Fontaine Battery (built 1697) – these remains are still buried
- Remains of a British blockhouse (built 1762)
- Horseshoe Battery – these remains are also still buried
- Six smoothbore cannons – these were added in the 1930s
The visitor center has displays about the fort's history. You can also learn about the lives of the fishing families and soldiers who lived there long ago.
Images for kids
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Fort Royal
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Fort Frederick
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Fort Frederick Newfoundland Map
