The Guale revolted on several occasions but had failed to dislodge the Spanish. The priests were seen as the greatest threat. Their rules and changes to Guale culture were paramount to cultural surrender. To further complicate matters the secular and church authorities were at odds as to mission and method. The final blow came when the friars opposed the micoship of Juanillo, the legal successor. The friars inserted their own choice, Don Francisco, because he seemed to supportive of the Spanish.

The Guale led by Juanillo and Don Francisco rose in one final attempt to drive out the Spanish. Messengers were sent throughout Guale and Florida seeking allies. Governor Canzo, in spite of his many conflicts with the friars, decided to act firmly. The revolt was not universal in nature. Some of the Guale supported the revolt and some did not. The rebellion was put down harshly. Those not killed outright, friendly or not, were sold into slavery. Some escaped to allies in Florida and on the interior of Georgia. The end result was the complete destruction of the Guale people. The refugees were absorbed by their host tribes and lost all identity. [1]

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[1] Carolyn Stefanco-Schill, “The Gualean Revolt of 1597,” Southern Exposure 12 (Nov. Dec. 1984): 4-9.