La Goleta (Halq al-Wadi), near Tunis, had been conquered by Charles V in 1535 and was one of the principal Spanish strongholds (presidios) in North Africa, with a garrison of about one thousand men. A violent uprising broke out on the night of 7 May 1538, when some forty arquebusiers seized the bastions and artillery, killed an ensign and several soldiers who resisted, expelled the commanders and other officers from the fortress, and imprisoned the outgoing governor, Bernardino de Mendoza. The newly appointed governor, Francisco de Tovar, who had arrived at La Goleta only two weeks earlier, was placed under guard and would later play a key role in negotiating a settlement. According to a memorial submitted to the Emperor by the mutineers, who soon won the support of most of the garrison, their grievances included the poor quality of food supply, the high cost of provisions, the hardships of prolonged service, and, above all, twelve months of unpaid wages. The authorities eventually yielded to their demands, promising payment of arrears, granting a royal pardon, and agreeing to replace most of the garrison. Mendoza settled the arrears for 1537, while Tovar secured money and supplies from merchants to cover the remaining payments. In late September, 800 fresh troops arrived from Perpignan to replace 600 of the rebel soldiers. Fearing a return to Spain, however, the latter mutinied again during transport and were put ashore in Sicily, where all but about fifty deserted and disappeared from the authorities’ control. Above all, this serious military mutiny highlights the logistical and financial difficulties faced by Charles V’s empire in maintaining its North African presidios.