Battle of Rio de Janeiro (1558)

Summary

Battle of Rio de Janeiro
Part of France Antarctique

Map of France Antarctique in the Guanabara Bay, 1555.
Date1558
Location
Result Portuguese victory
Henriville destroyed
Belligerents
Portuguese Empire  France
Tamoyo allies
Commanders and leaders
Mem de Sá Bois-le-Comte [fr]
Strength
260 men 1,150 men
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Battle of Rio de Janeiro took place in 1558 on the French town at Rio de Janeiro, called Henriville. The Portuguese, though in far smaller numbers, defeated the French and made them flee to the jungle. The French town was then burnt by Mem de Sá, the Portuguese governor.

Background edit

A few years before, the French admiral and colonist Villegagnon and his friend and comrade, Admiral Coligny, managed to build a fort in the area of modern-day Rio de Janeiro which they called Fort Coligny. As the French colony grew in size and power it was named Henriville and became a serious threat to the Portuguese establishment in Brazil.

References edit

  • A Tentativa dos Franceses se estabelecerem no Brasil (in Portuguese)