Charles Bayly
Encyclopedia
Charles Bayly, the first overseas governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, likely spent his early years in the court of Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I
. He was an English born French Roman Catholic in this Protestant court and this implies that his father was part of the Queen's staff.
Bayly was sent to France at age 12 or 13 and some time later was returning to London, was brought on board a ship headed for America and spent 14 years as a bond-servant. He appears in Quaker
records as a member and living in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
in 1657. He returned to England in 1660 and there followed years of travel and imprisonment for various actions as a Quaker.
In 1670, for reasons undetermined, Bayly was released from prison and made the first overseas governor of the Hudson's Bay Company
and in June sailed for Fort Nelson at the mouth of the Nelson River
. This was the first headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company in North America.
Bayly spent 1670 and 1671, until they sailed home, exploring and trading, mostly from the HBC location at Rupert River
which had been established in 1668 by an expedition of Médard des Groseilliers
. In subsequent years he established the first post at Moose Factory and explored and developed trade.
In 1679 Bayly was recalled under charges of mismanagement; probably related to poor management rather than dishonesty. His career at the HBC, despite the charges, was successful. Although he neglected book-keeping detail, his activities in James Bay
were important to the Company's first ten years of its existence. He died while the charges were being prepared.
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
. He was an English born French Roman Catholic in this Protestant court and this implies that his father was part of the Queen's staff.
Bayly was sent to France at age 12 or 13 and some time later was returning to London, was brought on board a ship headed for America and spent 14 years as a bond-servant. He appears in Quaker
Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
records as a member and living in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Anne Arundel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is named for Anne Arundell , a member of the ancient family of Arundells in Cornwall, England and the wife of Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. Its county seat is Annapolis, which is also the capital of the state...
in 1657. He returned to England in 1660 and there followed years of travel and imprisonment for various actions as a Quaker.
In 1670, for reasons undetermined, Bayly was released from prison and made the first overseas governor of the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
and in June sailed for Fort Nelson at the mouth of the Nelson River
Nelson River
The Nelson River is a river of north-central North America, in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Its full length is , it has mean discharge of , and has a drainage basin of , of which is in the United States...
. This was the first headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company in North America.
Bayly spent 1670 and 1671, until they sailed home, exploring and trading, mostly from the HBC location at Rupert River
Rupert River
The Rupert River is one of the largest rivers in Quebec, Canada. From its headwaters in Lake Mistassini, the largest natural lake in Québec, it flows west into Rupert Bay on James Bay. The Rupert drains an area of . There is some extremely large whitewater on the river, but paddlers can avoid...
which had been established in 1668 by an expedition of Médard des Groseilliers
Médard des Groseilliers
Médard Chouart des Groseilliers was a French explorer and fur trader in Canada. He is often paired with his brother-in-law Pierre-Esprit Radisson who was about 20 years his junior...
. In subsequent years he established the first post at Moose Factory and explored and developed trade.
In 1679 Bayly was recalled under charges of mismanagement; probably related to poor management rather than dishonesty. His career at the HBC, despite the charges, was successful. Although he neglected book-keeping detail, his activities in James Bay
James Bay
James Bay is a large body of water on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Both bodies of water extend from the Arctic Ocean. James Bay borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; islands within the bay are part of Nunavut...
were important to the Company's first ten years of its existence. He died while the charges were being prepared.