Hernando de Manrique de Rojas was the commander of Spanish forces sent in late 1562 to destroy the French fort at Port Royal. This fort had been abandoned after its leader Jean Ribault had returned to France to get supplies and been delayed by the outbreak of another phase of the French Wars of Religion. However, the Spanish wanted to make it harder for the French to return.
Manrique de Rojas also explored the coasts of what is today the Eastern United States.