Gadifer de la Salle facts for kids
Gadifer de La Salle (born around 1340 in Sainte-Radegonde, France – died 1415) was a brave French knight. He was from a region in France called Poitou. With his friend Jean de Béthencourt, he explored and helped conquer the Canary Islands for the Kingdom of Castile (which is now part of Spain).
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Life of a Knight
Gadifer de La Salle was born around 1350. His family was part of the lower nobility in Poitou. He served important dukes in France, like Philip I and John, Duke of Berry.
Fighting in the Hundred Years' War
Gadifer became well-known for his courage in battles against England. These fights were part of the Hundred Years' War, a long conflict between 1337 and 1453.
Adventures and Crusades
In 1378, the Duke of Berry helped Gadifer travel to Prussia. There, he joined a religious military group called the Teutonic Knights. He also served with the Hospitallers in Rhodes. These were groups of knights who went on crusades, which were like religious wars.
Later, in 1390, Gadifer took part in another expedition. This was called the Barbary Crusade in North Africa. He was part of a group led by the Duke of Bourbon. They tried to capture a pirate stronghold called Mahdia.
Meeting Jean de Béthencourt
During this time, Gadifer met Jean de Béthencourt. They had known each other before. Béthencourt later decided to use his own land to pay for a trip to the Canary Islands. Gadifer de La Salle joined him for this big adventure. They met up at La Rochelle in France.
Two important people joined their trip: Brother Pierre Bontier, a friar, and Jean le Verrier, a priest. These two men wrote down the history of their expedition.
Conquering the Canary Islands
In 1402, Gadifer and Béthencourt successfully took over Lanzarote. This was the northernmost island in the Canaries. They took it from the local leaders, who were called Guanches.
Gadifer then started exploring the other islands. Meanwhile, Béthencourt went to Cádiz in Spain. He wanted to get more supplies and money from the Spanish court.
Trouble on the Islands
While Béthencourt was away, a problem started on Lanzarote. Another officer named Berthin wanted to leave the islands. He wanted to take some people as slaves and go back home.
Gadifer was exploring another island when Berthin left. Berthin took almost all the ships, leaving Gadifer and his men stranded. They had to survive for about a week by collecting dew for water. Luckily, a soldier who was still loyal to Gadifer brought a ship to rescue them.
In 1403, a supply ship from Béthencourt finally arrived. This helped Gadifer finish conquering the islands. He also dealt with the disloyal Spanish soldiers. By early 1404, many native people on the islands became Christians. Later that year, Béthencourt returned.
Founding Betancuria
In 1404, De la Salle and Béthencourt worked together to start a new city. They named it Betancuria.
Gadifer's Return to France
Béthencourt was named "King of the Canaries" by Henry III of Castile, the King of Spain. Gadifer felt that he had not been treated fairly. He left the Canary Islands and went to the Spanish court to complain. When his complaint was not successful, he returned to France.
See also
In Spanish: Gadifer de La Salle para niños
