Jean Ribault

Jean Ribault (1520 - October 12, 1565) was a French naval officer, navigator, and a colonizer of what would become the southeastern United States. He was born in the English Channel village of Dieppe. In 1562, Ribault was chosen to lead an expedition to the New World to establish a haven for the Huguenots. With a fleet of 150 colonists he crossed the Atlantic Ocean and explored the mouth of the St. Johns River near modern-day Jacksonville, Florida.

Related Topics:
1520 - October 12 - 1565 - French - United States - English Channel - Dieppe - 1562 - New World - Huguenots - Atlantic Ocean - St. Johns River - Jacksonville, Florida

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Ribault?s fleet then proceeded north and chose to settle on Parris Island, one of the Sea Islands off the coast of present-day South Carolina. The colony was named Charlesfort in honor of the French king, Charles IX. Ribault oversaw the layout of the settlement, then returned home for supplies.

Related Topics:
Parris Island - Sea Islands - South Carolina - Charlesfort - Charles IX

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Warfare had broken out during Ribault?s absence from France between the Roman Catholic majority backed by Spain and the Protestant Huguenots backed by England. Ribault sought safety in England; despite a cordial welcome, he was arrested and detained in the Tower of London. English authorities feared he was plotting to steal their ships to use in French colonization efforts.

Related Topics:
France - Roman Catholic - Huguenots - England - Tower of London

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Meanwhile, Charlesfort fell into despair. A lack of supplies threatened the colonists' lives, most of whom followed René Laudonnière further south into Spanish territory to establish Fort Caroline at the mouth of the St. Johns River. The fort had early success, but the colonists had trouble feeding themselves after turmoil developed with the local Native American tribes. Some colonists sailed home while others deserted and became pirates. Following his release from prison, Ribault was dispatched by the French government to save the settlement.

Related Topics:
Charlesfort - René Laudonnière - Fort Caroline - St. Johns River - Native American - Pirates

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Spanish troops led by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés who had already established a fortified position at St. Augustine, Florida in 1565 were ordered to stop Ribault and attack him at sea. A naval confrontation was averted by Ribault steering his fleet off course, but the Spanish garrison stationed there to defend their territory were also ordered at the same time by Menendez to ambush Fort Caroline by land and destroy the illegal French settlement and take the settlers as prisoners. Shortly afterward a tropical storm destroyed Ribault?s fleet still out at sea. The few sailors able to make it ashore near St. Augustine, including Ribault, were killed by waiting Spanish soldiers.

Related Topics:
Pedro Menéndez de Avilés - St. Augustine, Florida - 1565 - Fort Caroline

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