Background
Jean Ribault, born at Dieppe in 1520, was either a son of members of the Reformed faith or a convert thereto.
Jean Ribault, born at Dieppe in 1520, was either a son of members of the Reformed faith or a convert thereto.
He became a skillful sailor and one of Admiral Coligny's most trusted naval captains. He had many English friends and spent the winter of 1546-47 in London, but when the French took Calais from the English in 1558, Ribaut commanded during the action one of the transports of supplies. The next year he was sent to Scotland to handle the French interests there, and was successful in his mission. In 1562 Coligny determined to plant a colony in the New World, which Verrazzano, sailing under a French flag in 1524, and Jacques Cartier in 1534-45, had explored for France.
The new colony was not only to be an extension of French power but an asylum for the Huguenots, who were regarded with increasing disfavor by the royal family. Ribaut was chosen to lead the expedition to found a New France on the coast of Florida. With a fleet of three vessels and 150 colonists, provisions, artillery, and René de Laudonnière as his lieutenant, he set sail, in the spring of 1562.
He sighted land on April 30, and on the next day entered St. John's River, which he named Rivière de May, setting up a column bearing the French arms in token of occupation.
On the first of May 1924 another column was erected on this spot in commemoration of Ribaut's discovery. Thence he sailed north and settled his colony at the present Port Royal, South Carolina, which he called Charlesfort, in honor of the king. Here a second column was erected which has recently been replaced by the United States government "in honor of the first Stronghold of France in North America. " After laying the foundations of Charlesfort, Ribaut returned to France, reaching Dieppe July 20, 1562.
During his absence civil war had broken out in France between the Huguenots and the Catholics, and Ribaut was unable to keep his promise to return with aid for the new colony. Finding themselves without succor, the colonists at Charlesfort sailed for home. Ribaut, meanwhile had been drawn into the war; he fought in defense of his native town and upon its capture fled to England, in October 1562. He was cordially received and an English version of his report to Coligny was published in London, under the title, The VVhole And True Discouerye of Terra Florida (1563).
The subject of Florida was much discussed, and Queen Elizabeth suggested to Ribaut that he join an enterprise being promoted by one of her subjects, Thomas Stukeley, to settle an English colony in that region. Ribaut, however, had no desire to aid an English settlement in New France; furthermore, he learned that Stukeley was a Catholic and in league with Spain. He thereupon attempted to flee from England, but was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower. Coligny meanwhile had sent Laudonnière to continue the Huguenot colony, and the latter, finding Charlesfort abandoned, had built Fort Caroline on the Rivière de May.
In 1565 Ribaut, released from captivity, took out a large reinforcement for the colony in a fleet of seven ships. Spain had, however, taken alarm at the founding of a "heretic" colony on land she claimed as her own, and Pedro Menéndez de Avilés had been sent to drive off the French, although there was nominal peace between the two nations. Menéndez, after building St. Augustine, sailed for the St. John's River, had a skirmish with Ribaut's fleet, and was beaten off.
Ribaut then sailed to attack the Spaniards, leaving Fort Caroline practically defenseless. Menéndez, during Ribaut's absence, marched overland, attacked and captured the fort, and massacred most of its inhabitants. A few, including Laudonnière, escaped to France. Meanwhile Ribaut ran into a violent storm, his fleet was scattered, and his flagship wrecked on the coast south of St. Augustine. Starvation drove the French into the power of the Spaniards.
Menéndez disarmed them, inquired if they were "Lutherans, " and on receiving an affirmative answer, "put them to the knife. " Ribaut was stabbed to death, and it was reported that his body was treated with indignity.
Quotes from others about the person
His ability was recognized by his enemy, Menéndez, who said of him: "He could do more in one year than another in ten, for he was the most experienced seaman and corsair known and very skillful in this navigation of the Indies and the coasts of Florida. "
