Soldiers who came to Canada in the 16th century were for the most part soldiers and gentlemen engaged by the commanders. Jacques Cartier's first voyage in 1534 did not have a large contingent of either soldiers or gentlemen: there was only the captain and his officers, and at least one artilleryman, since cannons were fired. Cartier was more prudent on his second voyage in 1535, when he arrived at Hochelaga (Montreal) with "gentlemen, and twenty-five well-armed men" who "carried as many cudgels of war" according to his accounts. Their arms were probably pikes and halberds.
The Sieur de Roberval, at the head of 300 "men of war," was set in command of the third expedition with Cartier. The goal was not only to explore the territory, but to establish a colony as well. Cartier set out first in 1541, arriving in Stadacona where he planned to set up camp. However, relations with the Iroquois deteriorated, and hostilities broke out during the winter of 1541-42. The French finally took to their ships in June 1542 and sailed back to France.
About a month after Cartier abandoned the attempt, Sieur de Roberval arrived in Canada and reoccupied Cartier's settlement near Stadacona. The Amerindians left them alone this time, perhaps because of the large contingent of soldiers that came with Roberval. During the winter of 1542-43, they were struck by an epidemic of scurvy and a quarter of the population died. Demoralized, with his colony decimated and his dreams of wealth shattered, Roberval too abandoned the enterprise. The soldiers and remaining colonists returned to France at the beginning of September 1543.
