Category Archives: Jacksonville & Fort Caroline

The History of Jacksonville, Florida: Jean Ribault and the Huguenots

History often holds captivating stories that connect us to the past, shedding light on the people and events that have shaped the world we live in today. Jacksonville, Florida, a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty, is no exception. At the heart of Jacksonville’s history lies the enigmatic figure of […]

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 […]

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, […]

French Huguenot Jean Ribault. The Lost Fleet and flag ship La Trinite 1565

Huguenot Disaster – An Investigation Of Jean Ribault’s Fleet

In the first half of the 1500s, the Spanish made several expeditions to the New World, laying claim to a large region that included modern-day Florida, along with much of what we now know as the southeastern United States. However, unbeknownst to the Spanish, the French (French Huguenots) had already established a settlement at Fort […]

Fort Caroline – The Story Of A Short-Lived French Colony

Fort Caroline – The Story Of A Short-Lived French Colony

The History of Jacksonville dates way back to Jun 22nd, 1564, when the French Colony of Fort Caroline was first established on the site of what we now know as the city of Jacksonville. Built under the guidance of French Huguenot explorer, René Goulaine de Laudonnière, Fort Caroline served as a New World refuge for […]

History of Jacksonville – A Historical Timeline Of Jacksonville’s Settlements

History of Jacksonville – A Historical Timeline Of Jacksonville’s Settlements

Jacksonville is an area of stunning natural beauty, fantastic weather, river and ocean access, and a host of incredible natural resources. With all of these advantages, it’s no wonder that settlers have been drawn to the area for hundreds of years. In fact, to this very day, more and more people continue to visit Jacksonville […]