Abraham Duquesne's long route to French fleet command

Duquesne learned at sea under his naval-officer father, with early experience in merchant service. He became a French naval captain in 1635 and fought Spain repeatedly; his father's death in that conflict intensified his hostility toward Spain. He also served Sweden and later financed a squadron that helped suppress the revolt at Bordeaux. Promotion to lieutenant-general followed in 1667, giving him decades of command experience by Stromboli. His Huguenot faith limited further advancement. Although personally exempted from the later measures against Protestants, he had retired in 1684 and did not return to service before his death in 1688.