The French in Maranhão
Ibiapaba 1590-1604
In 1590, under the command of Adolf Montbille, a French expedition was established in Ibiapaba (Viçosa-Ceará), where the French founded a trading post and a fort, and marketed "pau brasil" with the Indians who inhabited the French commercial nucleus. The French lived in peace with the Indians for 14 years, but in 1604 a Portuguese expedition led by Pero Coelho attacked the colony and after a violent battle, they forced the French to surrender.
In 1590, under the command of Adolf Montbille, a French expedition was established in Ibiapaba (Viçosa-Ceará), where the French founded a trading post and a fort, and marketed "pau brasil" with the Indians who inhabited the French commercial nucleus. The French lived in peace with the Indians for 14 years, but in 1604 a Portuguese expedition led by Pero Coelho attacked the colony and after a violent battle, they forced the French to surrender.
São Luís do Maranhão 1612-1615
On March 19, 1612, three French ships left the French port of Canacale for Maranhão. These ships were: "Regent" under the eating of Rasilly and La Ravardière, "Charlotte" commanded by the Baron of Sancy and the "Sainte-Anne".
On June 24, the ships arrived on the Island of Fernando de Noronha where they remained until July 8. There they found a Portuguese and 17 or 18 indigenous slaves. All of them were taken to Maranhão.
On July 29, the French reached the island "Pequena do Maranhão", which was deserted. This island was baptized by the French as Santana Island (Sainte-Anne). From there the French moved to the island "Grande do Maranhão" where they found some ships from Dieppe and Le Havre with 400 Frenchmen who traded with the natives. On this island the Capuchins built the convent of St. Francis (Sainte Françoise) and near it, a fort called Fort St. Louis (Saint-Louis). On December 20, 1612, a religious chapel was inaugurated. Here the French lived in peace for almost two years.
In 1613, the leaders of the settlement resolved to return to France in search of reinforcements. After a few attempts at the Court, they began to prepare a more prosperous expedition. At Easter of 1614, the ship "Regent" with 300 French left in the direction of Maranhão. On June 14, the ship passed in front of the Portuguese fort of Ceará, and on June 18, the expedition reached the "Buraco das Tartarugas" or Jaracoará where there was another Portuguese fort. Despite the obstacles, the French reinforcements arrived safely in Maranhão.
Recognizing the continued presence of ships in the region, the Portuguese built several forts to control the coast with the aim of ending French trade. In 1611 or 1612, the Portuguese had founded the fort of Ceará, called Nossa Senhora do Amparo; in August 1613, they had also founded the fort of Jaracoará, called Our Lady of the Rosary.
On October 26, 1614, a Portuguese troop of 500 men (Portuguese and Indians) arrived at the mainland, near the French settlements, with the aim of expelling them.
The Portuguese encamped in Guaxenduba where they built a fortified camp called the Fort of Santa Maria.
The French of Maranhão, being superior in number, decided to take the initiative and on November 19, 1614, with 7 ships, 50 cannons and the reinforcement of 200 French and 1,500 Indians attacked the Portuguese fort. The attack, however, became an overwhelming defeat for the French.
On November 27, 1614, a one-year armistice was signed, with the purpose of allowing the King of France and Spain to establish a diplomatic solution. It was also decided to send French and Portuguese emissaries to Europe to explain the matter.
Then, on December 16, 1614, the ship "Regent" left for Europe with Portuguese and French emissaries on board. The results of this mission are not well known. But the French reinforcements for Maranhão never arrived.
However, on November 1, 1615, a Portuguese fleet of 9 ships and several hundred men, under the command of Alexandre de Moura, arrived in the French settlements.
The Portuguese landed on the island "Grande do Maranhão" and entrenched themselves in the height of San Francisco. The fort was called the "São Francisco Barracks".
On March 19, 1612, three French ships left the French port of Canacale for Maranhão. These ships were: "Regent" under the eating of Rasilly and La Ravardière, "Charlotte" commanded by the Baron of Sancy and the "Sainte-Anne".
On June 24, the ships arrived on the Island of Fernando de Noronha where they remained until July 8. There they found a Portuguese and 17 or 18 indigenous slaves. All of them were taken to Maranhão.
On July 29, the French reached the island "Pequena do Maranhão", which was deserted. This island was baptized by the French as Santana Island (Sainte-Anne). From there the French moved to the island "Grande do Maranhão" where they found some ships from Dieppe and Le Havre with 400 Frenchmen who traded with the natives. On this island the Capuchins built the convent of St. Francis (Sainte Françoise) and near it, a fort called Fort St. Louis (Saint-Louis). On December 20, 1612, a religious chapel was inaugurated. Here the French lived in peace for almost two years.
In 1613, the leaders of the settlement resolved to return to France in search of reinforcements. After a few attempts at the Court, they began to prepare a more prosperous expedition. At Easter of 1614, the ship "Regent" with 300 French left in the direction of Maranhão. On June 14, the ship passed in front of the Portuguese fort of Ceará, and on June 18, the expedition reached the "Buraco das Tartarugas" or Jaracoará where there was another Portuguese fort. Despite the obstacles, the French reinforcements arrived safely in Maranhão.
Recognizing the continued presence of ships in the region, the Portuguese built several forts to control the coast with the aim of ending French trade. In 1611 or 1612, the Portuguese had founded the fort of Ceará, called Nossa Senhora do Amparo; in August 1613, they had also founded the fort of Jaracoará, called Our Lady of the Rosary.
On October 26, 1614, a Portuguese troop of 500 men (Portuguese and Indians) arrived at the mainland, near the French settlements, with the aim of expelling them.
The Portuguese encamped in Guaxenduba where they built a fortified camp called the Fort of Santa Maria.
The French of Maranhão, being superior in number, decided to take the initiative and on November 19, 1614, with 7 ships, 50 cannons and the reinforcement of 200 French and 1,500 Indians attacked the Portuguese fort. The attack, however, became an overwhelming defeat for the French.
On November 27, 1614, a one-year armistice was signed, with the purpose of allowing the King of France and Spain to establish a diplomatic solution. It was also decided to send French and Portuguese emissaries to Europe to explain the matter.
Then, on December 16, 1614, the ship "Regent" left for Europe with Portuguese and French emissaries on board. The results of this mission are not well known. But the French reinforcements for Maranhão never arrived.
However, on November 1, 1615, a Portuguese fleet of 9 ships and several hundred men, under the command of Alexandre de Moura, arrived in the French settlements.
The Portuguese landed on the island "Grande do Maranhão" and entrenched themselves in the height of San Francisco. The fort was called the "São Francisco Barracks".
On November 3, 1615, the French, already demoralized, surrendered without a fight.
posted by KINGSCARBINE at 22:06
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