355-year-old Royal Charter that survived the Blitz sells for $13m in Canada

A 355 year old Royal Charter credited as one of Canada’s foundational documents has been sold for C$18 million ($13 million; £9.6 million) to two of the country’s wealthiest families, ensuring the historic manuscript remains on Canadian soil.

The 1670 Hudson’s Bay Company Charter, issued by King Charles II, granted the company sweeping commercial and territorial powers across what would later become parts of Canada. It laid the groundwork for centuries of trade, exploration and settlement, making it one of the most significant documents in Canadian history.

The charter went up for auction after the Hudson’s Bay Company’s parent corporation filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. With the future of the document uncertain, firms owned by the Weston family and David Thomson – chairman of Thomson Reuters – stepped in with a joint offer that secured the winning bid.

Historians and archivists welcomed the purchase, noting that it prevents the document from potentially leaving the country. The new owners have committed to placing the charter under shared stewardship of Canadian museums and archives, allowing the public continued access while ensuring the manuscript is preserved under professional care.

The document has survived remarkable chapters of history. During the Second World War, it was moved from Britain to a rural manor to protect it from bombings during the Blitz. Its survival through those turbulent years adds to its cultural value and symbolic weight.

The Royal Charter’s sale comes at a moment of renewed public interest in Canada’s colonial past and the role the Hudson’s Bay Company played in shaping the nation. The company’s influence reached far beyond commerce, affecting relationships with Indigenous communities and the development of political and economic structures across the territory.

For many Canadians, the document represents both historical legacy and complex heritage. Museums are expected to develop new exhibitions that place the charter within its broader historical context, offering opportunities for deeper discussions about colonisation, trade and nation building.

With its future now secured, the charter will continue to serve as a vital link to Canada’s origins, preserved not in private hands but in the institutions dedicated to telling the country’s story.