Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon
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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.
Quick Facts Fra Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon, Born ...
Fra Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon | |
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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 |
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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.