Fra Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon | |
|---|---|
 Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon | |
| Born | 1510 Provins, Seine et Marne, France |
| Died | 9 January 1571 (aged 61-60) Beauvais, Picardy, France |
| Allegiance |  Order of Saint John Kingdom of France |
| Years of service | 1521–1571 |
| Battles / wars | |
Nicolas Durand, sieur de Villegaignon, also Villegagnon (1510 – 9 January 1571) was a commander of the Knights of Malta,[1] and later a French naval officer (vice-admiral of Brittany) who attempted to help the Huguenots in France escape persecution, before turning against them due to Eucharistic disputes.
A notable public figure in his time, Villegaignon was a mixture of soldier, scientist, explorer, adventurer and entrepreneur. He fought pirates in the Mediterranean and participated in several wars.
Villegagnon was born in Provins, Seine et Marne, France, a nephew of Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, Grand Master of the Order of Malta.[2] He was received as a Knight of the Order in 1521.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Parkmanwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Pioneer Laymen of North America, Volume 1 by Campbell Thomas Joseph p. 51