Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History No. 18

The Construction and Occupation of the Barracks of the King's Bastion at Louisbourg

by Blaine Adams

Preface

Although a considerable amount of research has been done on the construction and furnishings of the barracks of the King's Bastion, there has been no adequate over-all survey of the history of the building and its inhabitants. This report, which attempts to provide such a history, is based upon the excellent notes compiled by Yvette Theriault for her report on furnishings. Further research clarified points raised in the notes and filled in gaps not already covered. As is often the case, this in turn led to further studies on related topics. Though not all problems have been solved, a considerable amount of new material has emerged.

I am indebted to my fellow researchers at Louisbourg who shared with me any information they found on the barracks. In particular I made ample use of John Fortier's notes on English sources, and Charles Lindsay's work on guardhouses.