Dominique de Gourgues

Dominique de Gourgues (c.Mont-of-Marsan 1530 - Turns 1593) was a Noble French of the Gascogne. It personally organized a mission of revenge against the Spanish in 1567. It destroyed 3 strong and it massacred more than 200 Spaniards. It is also known under the name of Vengeur of Matanzas.

Life

One knows only very little the youth of Dominique. He is the son of Jean de Gourgue, lord of Gaube and Montlezun, and Isabeau of the Tau (or Detau, according to the writings). It is known that it on several occasions served France as in Scotland, and also in Italy, close to His, where it was captured there by the Spaniards. He was sent to the galères by the latter, like by the Turks, to whom he was probably sold. He was released by Malteses, after which he would have become member about Saint-Jean-of-Jerusalem. He leads then various forwardings in Africa and South America. Gourgues was a very large traveller.

Massacre Protestants

In this period of wars of religion, the Spanish lead the hard life to all those which are not catholic, and the Huguenots form part of it. The situation of French Huguenots in the colonies is very precarious so they undergo many insults on behalf of Spaniards, going until the massacre, often, as it was the case the September 20th 1565 Fort San Mateo in Florida. The widows, children and parents of the victims signed and addressed to the King Charles IX of France a letter, asking him to return justice to them, because the king, although to the current of the situation, carried only little of attention to this business, not liking itself not much Huguenots. The King did not make more case with this letter.

The Revenge of the Captain of Gourgues

Dominique, who was a conviction and man of action, felt that it could not leave the situation unresolved. Firstly, he thought that the honor of the France was concerned, because since too a long time it let its nationals be made massacre without shouting station. Secondly, it is extremely probable that Gourgues was a Huguenot. And finally, its adventures of youth with the Spaniards did not push it with the calm one. This is why, in spite of his age, Dominique decided to avenge the fate for massacred. He personally organized his revenge, he affretta three boats, with veil and oars, whose “Brigantyn” and “the Large Charles” with the idea to leave with more than 150 men, including 100 arquebusiers, say one. This forwarding, entirely financed by cost him, him too expensive, also had it to borrow money from his/her brother Antoine de Gourgue. Documents also show loans with other people. In addition, it borrowed as well money as it had to sell stolen guns to the Spaniards at the town of Bordeaux.

The August 2nd 1567, it installs towards Africa, where it thinks good of capturing slaves to lend strong hand to him, and arrived at height of the Cap Verde, it crosses until Cuba.

Arrived in Florida, it falls on the Indians from the Saturiwa chief who, having had to undergo the exactions of Spanish, prohibit the access to the dry land to them. Gourgues manages to conclude an agreement, grace in particular to Pierre de Brie, survivor of the slaughter of the Caroline of 1565. The Spaniards having three forts, French and Indians decide to attack two weaker, ordering St John' S River. They take them by surprised and the garrisons massacre some. They advance discreetly towards the third, the old citadel of the renamed Caroline San Mateo. The garrison (300 men) is dining. Surprised, she is massacred and the prisoners are hung. On them, a sign meaning that the avenger had hung them " not like Spaniards, but like marauds, robbers and meurtriers". Gourgues, after having shaved any traces of Spanish establishment in Florida, returns to France (May 3rd 1568) which it reaches the June 12th. Celebrated with La Rochelle and Bordeaux, he will be been sulky by the king, under the influence of the Guise, and will have to hide in Paris until in 1573. After that, and having received a proposal for a command of the queen Elisabeth Iere, whom he refused by pure patriotism, he was raised of disgrace and accepted the commandementde 300 men.

External bonds

Extracted the colonial history of Florida and Louisiana

Thesis: " French forwardings in Florida (1562-1568) " , Helene Lhoumeau

http://theses.enc.sorbonne.fr/document121.html

Some written sources

WEISS, Charles, " History of réfigiés Protestant of France" , 1853.
Document of the hand of Gourgues ** GUERIN, Leon, " The Français" navigators; , 1847

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