The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents - Excerpts on New France (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering voyage details, people, Indigenous warfare and customs, and daily life described in the notes.

Father Biard

Jesuit missionary who wrote the letter to Reverend Father Christopher Baltazar, Provincial of France, describing the 1611 voyage to New France.

La Grace de Dieu

A roughly sixty-ton ship with 36 sailors/men, commanded by Monsieur de Biancourt, used for the voyage to North America.

Biancourt

Leader and commander aboard the ship La Grace de Dieu during the voyage to New France.

Campceau

Location where the voyagers disembarked on their journey (later celebrated Mass).

Port Royal

Early French settlement in New France (Acadia) where they arrived and rested; noted for Pentecost Mass.

Pentecost

Holy day on which the party arrived at Port Royal after their voyage.

Azores

Mid-Atlantic stop where the voyage passed near; noted as a waypoint in the journey.

West wind

The violent, obstinate wind encountered during the voyage, described as the sworn foe.

Shield (cedar shield)

A long cedar shield used in battle, carried over the right shoulder and protecting the left side; inner thongs from animal skins reinforce it.

Indigenous warfare motives

Indigenous groups fought to avenge injuries to themselves or allies, rather than to extend dominion.

Swords and guns

Weapons that Indigenous peoples had obtained from Dutch and English traders to enhance warfare.

Torture of prisoners

Gruesome practices inflicted on captured enemies, including nails, binding, fire, roasting, and other brutal torments.

Capturing enemies alive

A wartime practice described as an aim to capture rather than kill enemies.

Sagamita

A staple food among Indigenous people, made from corn flour mixed with oil.

Hot-stone cooking

Cooking method using red-hot stones dropped into a vessel with meat and water to heat and cook.

Bark receptacles

Early containers made from closely joined bark used before pots and kettles were adopted.

Powder of rotten wood

Dust used by mothers to wipe hands, clean infants, and even as a bedding material.

Body painting and colors

Use of body paints (blue noses, black lines, etc.) to look formidable and to mask fear; some beliefs claim it hardens the skin.

Eating customs

They squat while eating, rarely drink during meals, and divide food among guests rather than self-serving; a carver may sit apart.

Liberality and generosity

A cultural trait noted as they give away property and aid the poor, often preferring gifts over threats.

Discipline of children

Children are treated with little formal discipline; impudence increases with age.