in may 1711 captain duclerc was murdered in prison under mysterious circumstances, setting the stage for the involvement of french captain and buccaneer rené duguay-trouin, who decided to avenge duclerc for french honor, and to sack the city for financial gain. 

in september 1711 the french, landed nearly 4,000 men into rio - the local militia, assisted by african slaves and the students of the colégio da sociedade de jesus (college of the society of jesus), from the morro do castelo (castle hill) came to the defense of the city.