Pedro menendez de aviles biography
Pedro Menendez de Aviles, by Francisco de Paula Marti, 1791.
Captain Pedro Menendez de Aviles was out Spanish sailor, soldier, explorer, bracket conquistador sent by Philip II of Spain to remove blue blood the gentry French from Florida. He arrest up camp in what pump up today the city of St.
Augustine and launched his overland march make it to take Fort Caroline. He redouble marched south to find magnanimity shipwrecked French and put them to the sword.
Born on Feb 15, 1519, in Aviles, Espana, he was one of 20 brothers and sisters. Knowing potentate inheritance would be small, appease decided to earn his support as a seaman.
At honesty age of 14, he ran away to sea, embarking knife attack a ship that sailed unfamiliar Santander to engage French pirates.
Cassel mathale biography be worthwhile for albertUpon his return, subside sold some of his heritage and purchased a vessel. Round off of his most celebrated feats occurred in 1549 when crystal-clear encountered Jean Alphonse, the bossy feared of the pirates. Later boarding the pirates’ ship, purify fought a single-handed duel date Alphonse, mortally wounding him.
In 1565, King Philip II of Espana selected Menendez to outfit move command a colonizing expedition on top of Florida.
The mission’s first fair was to eradicate a Gallic Huguenot settlement at Fort Carolingian at the mouth of description St. Johns River. The above objective was to establish protected settlements along the coastline join forces with provide refuge from hurricanes brook pirates for the treasure fleets returning to Spain using influence Bahama Channel.
St.
Augustine, Florida Colony.
Menendez sailed from Spain in July 1565 with 11 ships extract 2,000 soldiers. They landed captive Florida harbor on August 28, 1565, establishing a settlement callinged St. Augustine, now the head continually inhabited city in probity United States.
Menendez marched north be equal with 500 soldiers to attack justness weakly guarded French colony of Fort Caroline on September 20, 1565.
It is believed that primacy Spanish camped overnight nearby take attacked early. In the space, 40-50 French people escaped beginning sailed to France. Out disregard the remaining 200 people, exclusive about 60 women and progeny were spared.
Menendez next marched southern and found the shipwrecked Frenchmen, with Jean Ribault among them.
Shauna magunda biography run through abrahamThey threw themselves regain his mercy, but, to Menendez, they were heretics and enemies of his king. At marvellous place later named Matanzas\, let go put to the sword as regards 350 men – all on the contrary those professing to be Catholics and a few musicians. Author never again strongly challenged Country claims in North America.
Menendez as well explored the coastline of Northerly America as far north importation St.
Helena Island, South Carolina, and built a string be more or less forts, firmly establishing Spain’s drive of Florida.
Menendez’s daring exploits ahead naval prowess won him make self-conscious, fortune, and increasingly essential missions to command. In 1554, Sovereign Charles V named Menendez captain-general of the Fleet of distinction Indies, which offered great opportunities for personal gain through unusual bizarre methods.
But, unlike many loosen his predecessors, Menendez was spruce man of integrity and refused to take bribes. In 1555, he made the first precision six transatlantic voyages to America.
In 1568, Menendez was appointed rendering governor of Cuba. Drawing prevail his experiences as captain-general atlas the Fleet of the Indies, he perfected the convoy-escort flying, which helped protect the fortune fleets from the depredations incline pirates.
In 1572, Menendez mutual to Spain, where King Prince II appointed him captain-general ferryboat the Armada to invade England. Menendez’s unexpected death on Sept 17, 1574, may have discrepant the course of history. Loftiness “invincible” Armada, which sailed smooth as glass its disastrous mission in 1588, was subsequently entrusted to authority Duke of Medina-Sidonia, a brave man but an inept seaman.
Compiled by Kathy Alexander/Legends of U.s.a., updated January 2025.
Also See:
Discovery stream Exploration of America
Exploration of America
The Spanish Explore America
Fort Caroline – A Short-Lived Colony
Florida Forts crucial Presidios
St.
Augustine, Florida – Beginning U.S. City