The Forts of Colonial North America: British, Dutch and Swedish colonies (Fortress)

The second in a two-volume study of forts in colonial North America, this title offers a detailed look at various types of fortifications built between the times of the earliest British settlements in North America in the late 16th century until the end of the Seven Years War, when France ceded New France to Britain. With photographs of these sites as they are today, specially-commissioned artwork depicting the forts in their original uses and detailed maps, author Rene Chartrand also provides readers a valuable look back at early American colonial life. Altogether, a comprehensive, detailed look into an important aspect of American history, and one that is still visible across the landscape today.Forts included:- Roanoke Island: fours forts built by the colonists of North Carolina, 1585-90- Jamestown: he first permanent settlements built by colonists, starting in 1607- Early British fortifications in New England, Nova Scotia, and along the coast- Early Dutch fortifications in what is now New York, Connecticut and New Jersey- Swedish fortifications in Delaware, 1638-55- Forts in Newfoundland and the Hudson Bay area, built by the French but ceded to Britain - Castle William, Boston- Fort Oswego, Lake Ontario- Frontier forts along the Ohio River and Lake George- Fort Pitt and Crown point, built to secure British-American conquests. The second in a two-volume study of forts in colonial North America, this title offers a detailed look at various types of fortifications built between the times of the earliest British settlements in North America in the late 16th century until the end of the Seven Years War, when France ceded New France to Britain. With photographs of these sites as they are today, specially-commissioned artwork depicting the forts in their original uses and detailed maps, author Rene Chartrand also provides readers a valuable look back at early American colonial life. Altogether, a comprehensive, detailed look into an important aspect of American history, and one that is still visible across the landscape today. Forts - Roanoke fours forts built by the colonists of North Carolina, 1585-90 - he first permanent settlements built by colonists, starting in 1607 - Early British fortifications in New England, Nova Scotia, and along the coast - Early Dutch fortifications in what is now New York, Connecticut and New Jersey - Swedish fortifications in Delaware, 1638-55 - Forts in Newfoundland and the Hudson Bay area, built by the French but ceded to Britain - Castle William, Boston - Fort Oswego, Lake Ontario - Frontier forts along the Ohio River and Lake George - Fort Pitt and Crown point, built to secure British-American conquests 'Unlike the French and Spanish settlers of the New World, who enjoyed elaborate fortifications sponsored by governments keen to see their overseas possessions flourish, those arriving from Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden often had to use their own resources. These settlers were often religious refugees whose rulers were happy to see them relocate. As a result, their fortifications were more likely to be small garrison houses or wooden stockade forts than vast Vauban-style fortresses. They saw their fair share of fighting, however, with the French and Indians to the north a constant menace, and some fortifications changed hands several times, including the nascent settlement of New Amsterdam (later New York). This book provides an in-depth study of the construction and location of these fortifications, and examines what it was like to live and fight inside them, with the forts themselves illustrated by beautifully detailed artwork.' "Unlike the French and Spanish settlers of the New World, who enjoyed elaborate fortifications sponsored by governments keen to see their oversees possessions flourish, those arriving from Britain, the Netherlands, and Sweden had to use their own resources. These colonies were often settled by religious refugees whose rulers were happy to see them relocate. As a result, their fortifications were more likely to be small garrison houses or wooden stockade forts than vast Vauban-style fortresses. They saw their fair share of fighting, however, with the French and Indians to the north a constant menace, and some fortifications changed hands several times, including the nascent settlement of New Amsterdam (later New York). This book provides an in-depth study of their construction and location, and examines what it was like to live and fight inside them"--Page 4 of cover