Battle of Rio de Janeiro (1558)

Battle of Rio de Janeiro Part of France Antarctique Map of France Antarctique in the Guanabara Bay, 1555. Date 1558 Location Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Result Portuguese victory Henriville destroyed Belligerents Portuguese Empire  France Tamoyo allies Commanders and leaders Mem de Sá Bois-le-Comte Strength 260 men 1150 men Casualties and losses Unknown Unknown

The Battle of Rio de Janeiro was a battle 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

Year before, Villegagnon and his friend and comrade, Admiral Coligny, managed to build a fort in the area of modern-day Rio de Janeiro to which they called Fort Goligny. Calling Henriville to the town, the French grew in size and power and became a serious threat to the Portuguese establishment in Brazil.

References

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