Meanwhile, on March 22, 1594, a new king, Henri IV ascended the throne. France was plunged at that time into the economic doldrums and the state of finances was deplorable. Even the king was poor.

France's state-owned investment bank, Bpifrance, plans to spend up to 25 million euros ($26.95 million) on little-known ...

about 1000 young women - nicknamed the king's daughters - arrived in New France to help populate the colony. (As portrayed in Canada: A People's History) Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Secretary of State ...