Why were historical romances popular in 19th-century Canadian fiction?

In 19th-century Canadian fiction, the historical romance emerged as the most popular form of the novel. These works were frequently used to explore and romanticize the nation's past, particularly the seigneurial life in New France and the societal shifts following the British conquest of 1759.12

Authors utilized this genre to ground their narratives in specific historical settings, such as the 1763 uprising led by Pontiac in John Richardson’s Wacousta; or, The Prophecy (1832) or the colonial experiences depicted in William Kirby’s The Golden Dog (1877). In French-Canadian literature, historical romances like Philippe Aubert de Gaspé’s Les Anciens Canadiens (1863) reflected the nostalgic and didactic preoccupations of the era, often serving to reinforce a sense of identity and cultural survival among French Canadians. By blending historical events with dramatic or gothic elements, these writers helped establish a literary tradition that sought to define the Canadian experience through its unique history and landscape.12