He did serve in the French army in France with distinction and won Turenne’s notice and praise.
He was to encourage settlement and agriculture while preventing the English from trading and fishing in the Acadian jurisdiction.
Friches de Menneval did not arrive at Port-Royal until late fall and was to refurbish the fort which provided little protection against the British.
In 1689, England declared war on France and the poorly fortified Acadian settlements were immediately vulnerable.
Success would have required exceptional courage and talents, and Menneval was ill-prepared and -supported during his tenure in very difficult times.