Author Archives: Calvin Bryant

John Calvin, French Protestant Reformer

John Calvin: The Most Influential Huguenot Theologian In History

Few people would argue that John Calvin is one of the most important – if not the most important – theologians of (Reformed Theology) of modern times. Since the 1500s, Calvin had a huge impact on the Protestant church and many would rank him among the most influential ministers of the Word from France and […]

An Overview Of The Council Of Trent And Its Purpose cover

An Overview Of The Council Of Trent And Its Purpose

Held between 1545 and 1563 in Trent, Northern Italy, the Council Of Trent was the nineteenth ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. Also known as a general council, this event was a meeting of bishops and other important figures in the church to discuss, debate, and ultimately rule on various questions surrounding the Catholic doctrine. […]

The Consequences Of Spanish And French Colonization In Florida cover

The Consequences Of Spanish And French Colonization In Florida

In both France and Spain, the 100 years from 1500 to 1600 were incredibly turbulent, to say the least. During this period, the French Wars of Religion, involving conflicts between Protestants and Catholics, spilled over to America, leading to a change in the landscape of the United States, which can still be felt to this […]

King Charles IX

Charles IX, King Of France And His Link To Jean Ribault’s Expeditions

Jean Ribault came to fame as a French naval officer, navigator, explorer, and colonizer of what we know nowadays as the southeastern United States. A proud Huguenot, Ribault was heavily involved in colonizing modern-day Florida, leading an expedition to the New World in 1562 which resulted in the founding of Charlesfort on Parris Island, which […]

French Huguenot Myth Busted. Who Really Founded Fort Caroline in Florida?

French Huguenot Myth Busted. Who Really Founded Fort Caroline in Florida?

Contrary to popular belief, French Huguenot, Jean Ribault, was not the founder of Fort Caroline near present-day Jacksonville, Florida. It was, in fact, Ribault’s second in command, the courageous René Goulaine de Laudonnière. In 1564, our man Jean Ribault was locked away in the Tower of London and couldn’t make the return journey to re-supply […]

The First European Battle In The New World – The Battle Of Fort Caroline

The First European Battle In The New World – The Battle Of Fort Caroline

The Spanish had long planned on becoming the dominant force in the colonization of Florida from the late 1400s through to the 1500s. Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish conquistador, and explorer, are widely known to have led the very first European expedition to Florida. After traveling to the New World with Christopher Columbus in […]

End Of The French Huguenots In Florida – The Story Of The Loss Of The French Fleet

End Of The French Huguenots In Florida – The Story Of The Loss Of The French Fleet

After being released from prison in 1564, French Huguenot explorer, navigator, and sea captain Jean Ribault was sent on a relief mission back to Florida, on his second voyage. Setting sail with a fleet of seven ships, five hundred soldiers, weapons and ammunition, various supplies, a selection of livestock, and five hundred sailors and colonists, […]

Fun Facts – 4 Interesting Things You Might Not Have Known About St. Augustine

Fun Facts – 4 Interesting Things You Might Not Have Known About St. Augustine

The history of St. Augustine is fascinating. Founded on September 8th, 1565, by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the conquistador originally named the settlement ‘St. Augustín’. He arrived with supplies, soldiers, and settlers from Spain with the intention of establishing a stronghold in the area, which he achieved success. From their fleet, Menendez and […]

Before Colonization – Who Were The Timucua Indians?

Before Colonization – Who Were The Timucua Indians?

Before European colonizers reached the shores of modern-day Florida, the Timucua Indians occupied the region. They represented the largest indigenous group in the area, with thirty-five different chiefdoms being established that led thousands of people. Timucuan speakers occupied an area of more than 19,200 miles, which consisted of many different and diverse environments, including lakes, […]

The Significance Of The Cathedral Basilica Of St. Augustine In Florida’s History

The Significance Of The Cathedral Basilica Of St. Augustine In Florida’s History

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is the seat of the current Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine and is the oldest Catholic Church in the country. This is where the city of St. Augustine was founded in September 1565, more than a century before many other American towns were ever established. Known as […]