Bio

A law student at the University of Geneva, and the son of a magistrate, Pierre Gaignaire served in his town militia but wanted more experience in the ways of war. Learning that the comte de Challons, a respected Huguenot soldier, was raising a company to fight in Italy, Gaignaire (b. 1604) took a leave of absence from his studies to travel to Grenoble and join the comte’s company of light cavalry. After his service against the Genoese and Spanish in 1625, Gaignaire returned to Geneva and resumed his law studies.

Gaignaire is studious and reserved, but under his quiet exterior he is courageous and determined.