Jean Ribault and the Huguenot Massacre at Fort Caroline
78Fort Caroline
Fort Caroline Founded
In the year 1562 a French expedition led by Jean Ribault landed at what is now the St. Johns River in Florida. He then moved up the coast and left 28 men to build a settlement know as Charlesfort.
Ribault then returned to Europe for replenishment's but was arrested due to the French Wars of Religion that were raging at the time. Consequently, this colonization attempt floundered due to the lack of supplies and the hostility of the Native American tribes in the area.
His second-in-command on the 1562 voyage was Rene Laudonniere, who led a group back to Florida and founded Fort Caroline in 1564 on the present site of Jacksonville, Florida. The colony suffered many travails but survived until the return of the released Ribaut in June of 1565.
With the Norman navigator were several hundred soldiers and settlers who revitalized the settlement. Unbeknown to them, however, the Spanish had dispatched the recently appointed governor of Spanish Florida, one Pedro Menendez, with orders to destroy any protestant French settlements.
Ribault's ships sailed south to confront the Spanish after they had reached the coast but after a brief battle the French were caught in a violent storm pursuing Menendez- who shortly after founded St. Augustine- and were ship-wrecked. The Spanish leader then decided on an overland trek to wipe-out the French Huguenots at Fort Caroline.
Menendez's Soldiers Capture Fort Caroline
The Spanish Attack
With a fanatical indifference to any obstacles, Menendez led 500 picked troops overland through the lakes, wastes, and forests which divided St. Augustine from Fort Caroline. Laudonniere and the settlers had no suspicion of what was soon to befall them.
Cruel and dark, if not strange, was the superstition which seems to have clouded the senses of these people. All they appear able to do was pray on bended knee while a holy terror was rushing forward to slaughter them.
The feeble garrison was surprised, and dreadful was the carnage that ensued. The old, the sick, women and children, were alike massacred.
The humanity of Menendez, after the havoc had raged for some time, interposed to save some of the women, and children under fifteen years, that still survived. But many of the garrison were preserved for a more terrible sacrifice.
Its difficult to call this atrocious crime an act of faith, and lay it at the feet of a benevolent and kind God who their bibles told them only came to save the world.
The living and the dying, after the fury of the fight was over, were hung together from the limbs of a tree, and left to shrivel in the sun.
An inscription on a stone beneath solemnly declared: "We do this" wrote these Catholic fanatics, "not to Frenchmen, but to heretics."
Fort Caroline Massacre
Memnendez's Mercy
Nearly two-hundred people were massacred. A few, escaped into the woods; among them were Laudonniere, and two settlers called Challus and Le Moyne. These men had no idea where to turn, death was all around them; the forests had no refuge, the sea no hiding place.
"Shall we surrender to the Spaniards, and appeal to their mercy?" was the question asked. "No!" said Challus,-- "Let us trust in the mercy of God- we can not in these men. "
Unfortunately, several who choose to count on the conquerors having sated their blood-lust, turned themselves in, and quickly joined those hanging from the trees.
Those who followed the wise counsel of Challus were picked up by the son of Ribault on two vessels that had survived the storm and discovered the fate of the fort.
His work thoroughly finished, the butcher Menendez led his soldiers back to St. Augustine, all the time fearing a possible retaliation by Ribault. Of the stranding of this unfortunate commander he new nothing.
Cast upon the shore with few provisions or weapons, the Frenchmen were almost overwhelmed with despair. A long stretch of swamp and forest, filled with enemies, lay between them and their supposed place of refuge at Fort Caroline.
They split into two bodies with one reaching the banks of a small river twelve miles south of St. Augustine. There they encountered Menendez at the head of forty soldiers. It was at this time the Spanish learned the fate of Ribault's fleet.
Menendez invited them to rely on his compassion. The French being weak and famished complied and were brought across the river. As they stepped on the bank their hands were tied.
Apparently, they took no alarm at this as the first two hundred over were taken into the forest, out of sight of those remaining to cross and, "at a line marked with his cane upon the sand," and at Menendez's signal, they were set upon and butchered. Their corpses were left unburied where they were slain.
Jean Ribault and His Men Are Murdered By Pedro Menendez
Ribault and Menendez
A few days elapsed, when the remaining party, under Ribault himself, appeared at the same river, and were met by the inveterate Spaniard. Menendez had a more imposing force this time.
Protracted negotiations ensued, but the Frenchmen were offered unconditional surrender only.
It is in the history that Menendez even set food and refreshments before them as an enticement. Ribault crossed the river with several of his officers and was respectfully treated for awhile.
They were then conducted to the spot where their comrades had been slaughtered and left to the elements. They were also informed of the fate of Fort Caroline.
It was in vain that these wretched men urged, that, as the two monarchs of their respective countries were not only at peace, but in alliance, they should not be treated as enemies.
The answer was, "the Catholic French are our friends and allies; but with heretics I wage a war of extermination." With this final answer Ribault returned to his men, resolved to submit himself, along with one hundred and fifty others, to the Spanish.
The remainder of his comrades, around two hundred in number, determined more wisely to brave every form of danger rather than submit to one who showed himself so merciless. A melancholy good-bye of this forlorn band took place.
Ribault led his men into the hands of Menendez, and being tied up with ten others, suffered death with all the rest. Some French writers assert that Ribault was flayed alive, his body burnt, and his stuffed skin sent to Europe as a worthy trophy of the conqueror.
The two hundred who kept their pitiful arms returned to the wrecks of their vessels and raised a temporary fortress. But their inhuman enemy was not willing to leave his work unfinished.
He pursued them and drove them from their refuge to an elevated piece of ground. They were determined to sell their lives dearly which caused Menendez to hesitate and open negotiations.
They received assurances of security and kind treatment, but no assurance from those who had been so faithless before could satisfy the commander of this little party.
His name became lost to history as he escaped with his followers into the trackless forest. The Spaniards hunted for them in vain. They were never heard of again.
The second half of this story: Fort Caroline and De Gouruges Vengeance.
copyright Jan 2012 All rights reserved alastar-packer.hubpages.com
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A fascinating presentation of a tragic event, well told! I am familiar with this event, and yet I read from beginning to end, knowing already what would happen, and nevertheless I was spellbound.
Unfortunately history is riddled regularly with intolerance and wars of extermination. Huguenots suffered great persecution in France, and sadly the pattern was repeated in the New World as well with this event.
Thanks for sharing.
So very true and tragic about which guise the human animal often pops up in. You said it perfectly my friend. My pleasure here James, thank you very kindly sir. This type of story can sometimes be the most challenging to write and research but also very satisfying in a way. The other half of this early American history brings some French Florida vengeance in spades.
You are a fantastic storyteller, my friend. I had heard nothing about this terrible tale until you educated me about it today. The human animal can be many things. Sadly, one that keeps popping up is a monster.
Thank you for an outstanding article.
The best offers come from kind readers like yourself dear Eddy; and thats good enough for me. This is a bit of a gruesome long ago story but I felt it was an important one in European and American history with the religious intolerance; also these were the first attempted and permanent settlements in the New Land. For sure appreciate your interest here Eddy, thanks!
I have read and re-read parts of this and again i have to give it to you ; you are indeed a marvellous teacher and any offers you have in this departmnt I woud snap them up if I were you.
You have the gift of being able to teach and tell a story so naturally and we flow along with you words taking them all in at the same time.
An up up and away here for sure.
Take care and enjoy your day.
Eddy.
Interesting but sad, yes, thanks quality girl. This event took place in long ago Florida; its easy to mistake it for N.C. with Ft. Caroline in the title and text. Appreciate your interest and comment, always quality girl.:)
very and interesting but sad tale-thanks for educating more on our NC war history!
Even a cursory read on the Catholic-Protestant 30 years War in Europe is enough to make one shake their head in imagined horror. And yes, your absolutely right Peggy in that the intolerance continues on through the present day. "Crazy" is a perfect descriptive word for it all. Thank you Peggy and perhaps your also correct in letting the little ones watch cartoons while they can. Maybe not SpongeBob so much as there was something in the news awhile back about a problem with subliminal messaging there. But that's another story as they say.
It continually amazes me what horrors take place in the guise of religion and it continues even today. So many people think that theirs is the ONLY path to heaven and that all other "infidels" must be killed. Crazy!
Another good piece of history from you Alastar although gory in the details. Let our little ones enjoy the Spongebobs while they can. Our world is certainly not "heaven on earth."
Up, useful and interesting votes.
Thank you poetvix, I couldn't help but feel for the innocents either. Something about men, women, and children peacefully braving dangers in a wilderness only to be snuck-up on and destroyed cruelly for their religious beliefs. Poetvix, some believe your wish is soon to come, may it be so.
Green tea is good and so are Mr Epi's very kind plaudits. A merry, safe and happy holiday season to you in return my friend. Thanks for all your support and friendship in 2011; and my fervent wish is for your continued health and happiness in the coming year as well, you truly deserve it. Cheers Colin!
Man's quest to destroy knows no bounds. You have a real talent for writing history in such a way that it's really interesting and still informative. I so felt for these people. I can't say I think it will, but may 2012 bring the world and us all less fighting, death and meaningless destruction.
....always a great story here to be told by you Mister Packer - you are truly our world class historian in residence here at the HUB - and here I am sit sipping green tea by the high winds and whitecaps of lake erie time 4:31pm wishing you sincerely a very merry safe and happy holiday season and continued health and happiness in the coming new year in 2012.
Boxing Day. 2011
It is an important but painful tale; and a valuable lesson against intolerance if we take heed. The Spanish commander was prepared to do anything in his quest to destroy anyone out-side his religion. This was intended as a single story but after the comments I got to thinking there was a good deal more to what happened, hence, a follow-up. Thanks a mil for the insightful comment and votes Nurse Mar, and a very, very Happy Christmas and holidays to you!XO
Dear Alastar,
I will agree with many of the powerful comments made before me. This was a painful, yet necessary read. It is beyond horrifying to think of these atrocities, in the name of 'faith', such innocence lost forever. The idea of preparing a meal to lure someone to torture is incomprehensible.
I am glad you have split this piece up due to the intensity of the content. Voted high UP & UABI,Nurse mar.
Mighty appreciative lyric, thank you my friend. This story isn't that well known and it is good to learn new things. They were definitely cruel when it came to anyone they considered heretics back then. The second half of this particular story will deliver some biblical justice however. Best wishes to you and yours too lyric, Merry Christmas!
Up, useful, awesome, and interesting votes Alastar. I also share your passion for history and I can respect this very much so. Such a traggic story this is. This is the first time I heard of it. Always good to learn new things. If we compare current times to the past, it would seem to me that those times of the past are more cruel then of today. Very well written Alastar. Best wishes and have a Merry Christmas my friend. Take care.
Thank you very much WillStarr! And I really like your short stories. Your new Christmas one is simply magnificent!
I really like these historic Hubs! Up and awesome!
Take those triple-header comments anytime Nell..lol. This story is brutal history and one reason it intrigued me was after reading about the Thirty Years War and events like the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in France, here was where the religious persecution of those times carried over to America. Thanks for checking it out and commenting Nell...Triple Tack!
Sorry about the duplicate, my computer crashed at that moment! lol!
Hi, fascinating story, Menendez certainly had a lot to answer for. As you said, they weren't even at war with each other, it was purely religious persecution! doesn't suprise me though because round the same time Cortes was butchering the Aztecs! didn't know this history, thanks it was brutal but a great read, cheers nell
Hi, fascinating story, Menendez certainly had a lot to answer for. As you said, they weren't even at war with each other, it was purely religious persecution! doesn't suprise me though because round the same time Cortes was butchering the Aztecs! didn't know this history, thanks it was brutal but a great read, cheers nell
Thank you Canook! You know I enjoy yours too. Your new one with the German wounded badge was a good find and pick.:)~Tarheel.
Hi! Tarheel Another good hub. I enjoy your history stories. Canook
Aww Hyph, I had a feeling this one would mean something extra to you. Bless your sweet heart. Your able to see and feel the injustice and terror of something from long ago better than I could ever hope to. No, God or nothing else decent was with those heartless killers like they thought. Thank you dear lady and though its on a comment up top this is worth repeating: later on the favor was returned on the Spanish by the Frenchman De Gourgues and his soldiers on the same spot as the massacre; and a different memorial replaced the old one. It said: "I do this, not to Spaniards, nor infidels; but to traitors, thieves, and murderers."
This one made me weep Alastar. After so many years, the pain of loss feels strong in my heart. When men perpetuate atrocities like this and defame God and His word, they are standing on their own wishes. God was not with them. Again, you amaze me with your knowledge and attention to detail. Thank you.
Martie I wonder how many folk know the true origins of their country. This story of the first permanent settlements in America is a captivating one despite its horribleness. Sharing air with the killers of today...what a unique phrase and thought. Too bad mother nature can't be selective in her allocation of O2. Thank you Martie, always look forward to your great comments.
Superb way of phrasing it. Menendez was certainly the Destroyer in the New Land at that time. A terrible but important lesson in American history like you say my friend. Thanks for the insightful input Bryan.:)
Glad you brought up Franco Spirit. The Spanish Civil Wars a good modern one to compare this story with. The freely elected govt. in Spain didn't suit the church so they took Franco's fascist side in that war. Remember reading early in that conflict on how the Nationals machine-gunned an entire stadium full of people. Tragically things do continue on in like-wise fashion today it seems like. Appreciate you Irish, glad it was an enthralling read for you, was to me too.
The Lumbee and Melogeon[?]- just to name two- people of the South had European blood-lines in them so its not out of the question that those men might have found refuge in some Native American tribes. That's so true about religious atrocities continuing on into the present day Angelia. Yes, burning crosses in people's yards and then going to church next day was the height of hypocrisy. Thank you Angelia, and again so true about ignorant people stupidly repeating history.
Your welcome Augustine, thank you. It was a massacre of biblical proportions. Maybe we could call it America's St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Appreciate your interest and insightful thoughts on this one A.A.
Thank you Randy. I'll be checking the Kingsley Plantation hub out ASAP. If the out-standing Jekyll Island hub is any indication it'll be quite a treat. Brutal times back then indeed.
Alastar - as always I hang on your lips. This is such a captivating piece of history. The cruel, merciless killings did not shock me – it was the order of the day at that time, and actually until....
I do think the 2nd World War (perhaps even the 1st), had lifted the Westerner to a higher level of humanity. But still, even today, we have to share oxygen with merciless killers who have the mentality of a Middle Aged barbarian.
Voted up and extremely interesting.
It seems Menendez was the Hitler of New Land...An epic tragedy Alaster of an important lesson of history.;-))
This is a particularly savage tale but not surprising in light of Spanish and French history. Mendez reminds me of general Franco and the cruel way in which he conquered and ruled his own people for generations.The atrocities inflicted then continue to this day and all that differs is the stage and the bodies used to do so. Thank you Dixie for another enthralling history lesson.
Alastar,
Like Boomer, I too would like to hope the escapees survived. Odds were totally against it but on occasion, miracles happen whether we know of them or not.
I am forever amazed at the atrocities committed by people claiming Christianity as their faith, or worse claiming the atrocities are committed because it's their holy quest to rid the world of whatever brand of infidel it is they're wanting to eradicate.
It's easy to be aghast at what happened so long ago, but many Christians continued the tradition into modern times.
Wear a sheet on Saturday night and burn torches while torturing. But, make sure to be on time for church come Sunday morning. Gotta sing hymns with the choir and teach Sunday School class.
I voted it up too, and very glad you gave us such a well written account of the incidents. When some people ignore history, they are often bound to stupidly repeat it.
femme
This was a massacre of biblical proportions. It wasn't uncommon for people women, children, and infants to be killed during the times of the Israelites. This was done to ensure that complete eradication occured. People who felt their "religion" was the true one usually followed suit. Completely fascinating, thank you for sharing.
Nice article, Alastar. I did a bit of research on Fort Caroline while visiting and writing the hub on the Zephaniah Kingsley plantation on Fort George island very close to the Fort Caroline site.
A brutal world at the time!
Kelly, is really all that different today? Sometimes I wonder. Menendez said he didn't massacre Frenchmen, only heretics from his religion. Thanks for checking this one out Kelly. Maybe the men who took their chances in the forest have decedents in the Lumbee or Melogeon people of today.
Polly the wars of religion back then have few equals in history for their barbarity and inhumanity. Can you imagine that these were the first permanent settlements in America. Maybe the little ones should be taught these things instead of watching SpongeBob. Thanks Polly, wouldn't surprise at all if that guy caught hell-fire somewhere later on.
Hi Alastar - can you imagine - life in those years? Really interesting story though yes, not a happily ever after!
Hey Thomas, thanks for the read and comment bro. Are you ever on target with the Thirty Years War. Unbelievable destruction and death in that one. Oh yes, darn tootin about not trusting the dude that strings your friends up. Best to head into the hinterlands. Your instincts are in fine order ole boy!
Some history is so devastating, no wonder teachers only gave us dates to memorize. I believe there is a special hot spot in hell for men like this, I really do. Apparently you told the story very well, lol.
Alastar...
When I normally think of the brutality engendered by religious strife in warfare, I think of the Thirty Years War,this skirmish 50 years earlier was as brutal as anything I've read.
My rule has always been...if I see a guy hang a bunch of my friends in a tree to whither...I won't trust that guy. Although I had never heard of Menendez or Ribault before...this story has proven my instincts were correct.
Great Job Sir!
Thomas
Thank you Gail, it is a merciless story. It also shows the brutal wars between Catholics and Protestants weren't exclusive to Europe but followed over to the New World. At some point down the road the French gained some justice on the Spanish and put up a little memorial of their own on the spot were the Spanish had theirs that said, " I do this, not to Spaniards, nor infidels; but to traitors, thieves, and murderers." Talk about an eye for an eye.
It would be nice to think that the band of resisters who entered the forest really did survive.
This story was distressing on so many levels - the cruelty of Menendez and his fanatical reasons for the cruelty were truly chilling.
That said, this was a fascinating read and I'm voting it up and interesting.
Alastar Packer Hub Author 3 months ago
Appreciate you reading and commenting stressily. You have a most interesting site, going on after to read your latest on Enya. Men at Work is another one of several that caught my eye. Love the acoustic take on their popular tunes. To the story: A very tragic incident in American history with the Huguenot Massacre at Ft Caroline, certainly. You stated it perfectly about the past being riddled with religious exterminations. Notice Menendez inscribing "We do this not to Frenchmen, but to heretics." The second half of this tragedy will be published soon with what could be considered a bit of Protestant payback. Hope you find it as spellbinding. Thank you so much stressily.