François L'Olonais (also spelt L'Olonnais or L'Ollonais, c. 1630-1668), real name Jean-David Nau, was a French buccaneer and pirate who operated from Tortuga on Hispaniola. In 1667, he famously attacked Venezuela, then part of the Spanish Main, and such was his reputation for sadistic cruelty, he was known as the 'Flail of the Spanish'. L'Olonais continued his rampage for plunder in the Bay of Honduras but was ultimately butchered and eaten by local cannibals.
More about: François L'OlonaisServer Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$3926 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
c. 1630 - 1668Life of the notorious French buccaneer and pirate François L'Olonais.
-
1667François L'Olonais leads a buccaneer force which attacks Venezuela on the Spanish Main.
-
1667 - 1668François L'Olonais leads a buccaneer force which attacks Honduras on the Spanish Main.
