Fort Anne — Decipher the Siege Conspiracy

Your investigation begins at the Fort Anne National Historic Site in Annapolis Royal. Here, in 1629, Scottish settlers led by Sir William Alexander erected Fort Charles on this strategic escarpment overlooking the confluence of the Annapolis and Allain rivers. In 1710, after the British conquest of Port-Royal by Francis Nicholson, the fort was renamed Annapolis Royal. It is on these foundations that Pierre Paul de Labat, inspired by Vauban, designed a star-shaped fort with four bastions and curtain walls, which you will explore to find the first clues of the conspiracy. This is where Governor Paul Mascarene defended the fort during the 1744 siege with cannon fire.

Continue to the Fort Anne Ramparts, remnants of 18th-century fortifications. These walls bore witness to the 1744 sieges, where French, Acadian, and Mi'kmaq attacks attempted to regain control of this strategic position. The site offers breathtaking views of the Annapolis River and Goat Island, a crucial observation point for spotting enemy movements. As you walk along these ramparts, you will uncover engraved symbols that, once deciphered, will reveal the intentions of the assailants led by François Dupont Duvivier and the flaws in the British defense.

The Fort Anne Graveyard, adjacent to the fort, is your next stop. Used from the early 18th century by British settlers and soldiers, this site testifies to the post-1710 period after the British conquest. The gravestones, with their often-eroded inscriptions, hold secrets. By examining the oldest burials, you will discover names and dates that echo the documents you have already collected. A coded message, hidden beneath an ancient funerary monument, could well reveal the identity of a traitor within the Annapolis Royal garrison.

Next, head to the Annapolis Royal Wharf, along the Annapolis River. Historically used for supplies and naval attacks, this wharf is bordered by salt marshes protected by dikes since approximately 1640. It is a vital access point for the town of Annapolis Royal and an ideal location for a secret exchange. A contact awaits you here, bearing crucial information about the movements of François Dupont Duvivier's troops and promised or diverted reinforcements. The Fort Anne Powder Magazine, an 18th-century structure for storing ammunition, located nearby, is another key point for understanding the logistics of the 1744 siege.

Your investigation culminates at the Officers' Quarters Museum, the 18th-century building that served as headquarters for British governors like Paul Mascarene. This exhibition center on the site's history since 1710 houses the final archives. By piecing together the information gathered along the route, from the Port-Royal Habitation to St. Charles Church and the Fort Anne Redoubt, you will unravel the plot. You will not only have saved the fort and Nova Scotia from certain downfall but will also have explored the rich Acadian and military heritage of Annapolis Royal, discovering unsuspected details of its complex history.