Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville et d'Ardillières

Iberville et d'Ardillières, Pierre Le Moyne d'
Pierre Le Moyne d' Iberville et d'Ardillières, soldier, adventurer (baptised at Ville Marie [Montréal] 20 July 1661; d probably at Havana, Cuba 9 July 1706), third and most famous of Charles LE MOYNE's 12 sons. Iberville displayed his bravado on the expedition led by de TROYES against the English on James Bay, and was rewarded with the governorship of the conquered posts. He returned to the bay in 1688, 1690 and 1694, raiding English posts and seizing furs. On 5 September 1697, his lone ship Pélican defeated 3 English warships near YORK FACTORY, sinking 2.

Iberville's fierce courage and ruthlessness were forged in desperate colonial competition and savage border wars. In 1690, he took part in a brutal guerrilla attack on Corlaer, New England, in which some 60 settlers were massacred. In 1696-97, he led militia, native warriors and French soldiers on a rampage across Newfoundland, burning, looting and killing some 200 men. In 1698-99, 1699-1700 and 1701-02, Iberville commanded expeditions to Louisiana, establishing Forts Maurepas, Mississippi, Saint-Louis (Old Mobile), collecting furs and negotiating with native peoples.

Iberville's last campaign (1706), the plundering of the English colony of Nevis in the West Indies, was clouded by controversy. Iberville died that year, likely of yellow fever, but was convicted of various charges, and most of his estate was seized in reparation. His career was an uneasy mixture of commercial ambition and military zeal but, though his conquests were ephemeral and his actions often cruel, his daring roused the admiration of even his enemies. He was the first native-born Canadian to receive the CROIX DE SAINT LOUIS (1699), for valour.

Author JAMES MARSH

Links to Other Sites
Castle Hill National Historic Site of Canada
This Parks Canada site is dedicated to the Castle Hill National Historic Site in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. Includes an interesting commentary about the Treaty of Utrecht and British and French territorial disputes in North America.

The Valiants
This Ottawa memorial honours fourteen valiant men and women who gave outstanding wartime service to Canada.

Baccalieu: Crossroads For Cultures
This site is devoted to the colourful history of the Baccalieu Trail region of Newfoundland and Labrador. Focuses on the Beothuk people, early European settlements, and the pirates who plundered local communities. Check out the glossary, online timeline, historic documents, maps, learning activities and much more.

Francophones of Newfoundland and Labrador
Search for or browse topics and locations at this extensively illustrated online exhibit that explores the enduring legacy of early French settlers and fishers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Features many historic images of the Placentia region. From the Virtual Museum of Canada.