Right Hudson’s Bay Company Royal Charter, a historic document 355—year—old, granted by King Charles II in 1670. Its future has now been auctioned off for C$18 million, around $13 million or £9.6 million. This significant piece of Canadian history is regarded as one of the nation’s founding documents, granting the Hudson’s Bay Company extensive powers over vast territories that now comprise modern Canada.
The charter, which allowed the Hudson’s Bay Company to create laws and establish colonies, was initially stored at Windsor Castle before being transferred to the company’s headquarters in London. It remained there until 1940. When the United Kingdom entered World War II, it was again moved, this time to an estate in Hertfordshire, for its protection. In the 1970s, the charter made its way back to the Hudson’s Bay Company’s new headquarters in Toronto.
The sale of this historic document marks a notable chapter in the legacy of the Hudson’s Bay Company, as it was the legal foundation for the company’s sale of its North American territories to Canada in 1869. This transaction was without the consent of the Indigenous peoples who originated and existed on those lands.
The winning auction bid was made by two of Canada’s richest families. It derived from companies controlled by the Weston family and David Thomson, chairman of Thomson Reuters. The advantage of the winning bid is that it earns the charter, but it agrees to invest C$5 million into custodian museums. This funding will advance ongoing stewardship and increase public education surrounding this culturally significant artifact.
As a member of the Mohawk Nation, Dr. Cody Groat spoke on the importance of the charter and how it connects to Indigenous history in Canada.
“All kind of associated with this initial document, signed by King Charles II.” – Cody Groat
He expressed an increasing excitement among communities to save these kinds of historical treasures, writing,
“We saw this sustained push-back over time, and we started to see these wealthy families and corporations start making quite sizeable offers to purchase this and then donate it immediately to a public institution.” – Dr. Groat
The Hudson’s Bay Company has agreed to deposit the charter into the custodianship of responsible institutions. These institutions are committed to working, in full partnership and collaboration, alongside Indigenous communities. We hope this approach will help make sure that all of the complicated history around the charter is recognized, put into context and properly understood.
“The Charter will be placed in the care of trusted institutions committed to, among other things, working in consultation with Indigenous communities so the Charter’s complex history can be acknowledged, interpreted and shared with all Canadians.” – The Hudson’s Bay Company