he final act of the
expedition was to build a small stone house
as an experiment to see how English buildings survived Arctic winters
and as a means of attracting the Inuit to peaceful trade. The building
was constructed at the summit of the
Countess of Warwick's Island.
From its walls hung mirrors, bells, whistles, toy figures, and other
items; bread was also baked and left in the oven for the Inuit
to taste.
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Reproduction of the stone house built by Captain Edward Fenton on
the summit of Kodlunarn Island in August 1578.
Photographs: Steven Darby
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"This daye the Masons finished a house which Captaine Fenton
caused to be made of lyme and stone upon the Countesse of Warwickes
Ilande, to the ende we mighte proue againste the nexte yere,
whether the snowe coulde ouerwhelme it, the frosts breake vppe,
or the people dismember the same. And the better to allure those
brvtish and vnciuill people to courtesie, againste other times of
oure comming, we left theirin dyuers of oure countryie toyes, as
belles, and kniues, wherein they specially delight, one for the
necessarie vse, and the other for the great pleasure thereof. Also
pictures of men and women in lead, men a horsebacke, lookinglasses,
whistles, and pipes. Also in the house was made an ouen, and breade
lefte baked therin, for them to see and taste."
(George Best's account of the 1578 voyage)
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The remains of the house built by the English are still clearly
visible on the summit of Kodlunarn Island. They are the earliest
known remains of a European house built in America north of the
Caribbean.
Photograph: Robert McGhee
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