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1668 — Groseilliers (the “Mr. Gooseberry” of old Hudson's 
Bay Company documents), with an English expedition under the 
command of Captain Zachary Gillam, reached Rupert River, 
James Bay. The building there of Fort Charles effected the first 
direct and vital contact of the Northwest with Europe. 
1670 — King Charles II of England granted a charter to the 
“Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading into 
Hudson's Bay” and their successors, constituting them “the 
true and absolute lords and proprietors” of that vast, practically 
unknown territory draining into Hudson Bay, with the sole trade 
and commerce rights in a region more than half as large as 
Europe. The title was later changed to the “Hudson's Bay Com- 
pany” after amalgamation with The Northwest Company. In rapid 
succession, trading posts were established at the mouths of the 
Albany, Moose, Rupert, Nelson, Severn, and Churchill rivers, the 
whole territory receiving the name Rupert's Land, after the chief 
promoter and first governor, Prince Rupert. 
1684 — Establishment of York Factory near the mouth of 
Hayes River, following the destruction of Fort Nelson by the 
French the preceding year. This post was the oldest permanent 
settlement in Manitoba until its abandonment in 1957. It long 
served as the main supply centre of the company, goods from 
England for the interior being routed through it, and furs being 
collected there for the return voyages. 
1686 — John Abraham explored Churchill River, naming it 
after Lord Churchill, later first Duke of Marlborough, the newly 
appointed governor of the Company. 
1689 — A party including the explorer, Henry Kelsy, built 
the first Fort Churchill on the west bank of the river estuary. It 
was destroyed by fire the same year. 
1690 — Henry Kelsy travelled from York Factory up the 
Hayes, Nelson, and Minago rivers, reaching Saskatchewan River 
near the present The Pas the following year. He was the first 
European to see the Indians and buffalo of the plains. 
1717 - James Knight, the first Governor-in-Chief on the 
Bay, rebuilt the timber Fort Churchill on its original location. 
It was later named “Prince Wales fort” in honour of George, 
Prince of Wales, later George II. 
