Bertrand d'Ornesan

Bertrand d'Ornesan, also Bertrand d'Ornezan, Baron de Saint-Blancard, was a French Admiral in the service of King Francis I of France. He was general of the galleys of the Mediterranean (Amiral de la Flotte du Levant).

Bertrand d'Ornesan tried to establish a French trading post at Pernambuco, Brazil in 1531.^[1]

In 1533 Bertrand d'Ornesan joined the Ottoman embassy to France (1533) which was to meet with Francis I.^[2]

In 1537, Ornesan was involved in operations with the Ottoman Empire within the context of the Franco-Ottoman alliance between Francis I and Suleiman the Magnificient during a period of two years. He led a fleet of galleys to Corfu to join the fleet of Barbarossa, but finally failed to convince the Ottomans to participate in a proposed major expedition against Italy.^[3]

Jean de la Vega, a member of his staff, wrote the account of his travels.^[4]

Notes

^ Renaissance Warrior and Patron: The Reign of Francis I by R. J. Knecht p.375 [1]
^ Garnier, p.73-74
^ The Papacy and the Levant (1204-1571) by Kenneth M. Setton p.431 [2]
^ Musée d'Ecouen exhibit

References

Garnier, Edith L'Alliance Impie Editions du Felin, 2008, Paris ISBN 9782866456788 Interview

[1] Renaissance Warrior and Patron: The Reign of Francis I by R. J. Knecht p.375 [1]

[2] Garnier, p.73-74

[3] The Papacy and the Levant (1204-1571) by Kenneth M. Setton p.431 [2]

[4] Musée d'Ecouen exhibit

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