A Foothold in Florida

French flag

During the sixteenth century, France was determined to expand its empire. Spain, the world’s leading power, already had a foothold in the Americas, and France wanted a share of the riches the Spanish were gaining through trade, plunder, and the exploitation of indigenous lands. France’s first attempt to stake a permanent claim in North America was at La Caroline, a settlement near the mouth of the St. Johns River in Florida.

At first, the settlement was to be a commercial venture, but religious conflict in France broadened the goals. The growing persecution of French Protestants (Huguenots) led their most powerful member, Admiral Gaspard de Coligny, to make a proposal to the crown: the colony could also be a refuge for Huguenots. An exploratory expedition, commanded by Jean Ribault, left France in February 1562. On this voyage, they erected a monument at the River of May (now known as the St. Johns River).

Permanent settlement of 200 soldiers and artisans began in 1564, led by Rene de Goulaine de Laudonniere, who had accompanied Ribault on the previous expedition. With help from the Timucua-speaking Mocama people, the colonists began building a village and fort on the river’s south bank, naming the area La Caroline after their king, Charles IX.

 

Charlesfort- The first French fort

The 150-person expedition that built Charlesfort was led by Jean Ribault, they first landed in Florida in April 1562 and sailed north to South Carolina, naming the rivers and erecting columns to claim the land for France. Ribault returned to France in June, leaving 27 men behind and promising to return in six months with supplies and more settlers. Religious civil war in France forced Ribault to England, where he was imprisoned as a spy. Meanwhile, the men at Charles had not planted crops and were starving to death after a fire destroyed their supplies. With help from the Oriental people, they built a ship and tried to return to France in 1563. When they ran out of food, they ate their leather shoes and jackets; eventually they drew lots and ate the loser before being rescued by an English ship.