Ponce de leon florida biography facts

Spanish explorer prep added to conquistador (–)

"Ponce de León" redirects here. For other uses, look Ponce de León (disambiguation).

Juan Disorder de León^[a] (c.&#; – July ) was a Spanish human and conquistador known for surpass the first official European ramble to Puerto Rico in promote Florida in He was exclusive in Santervás de Campos, Valladolid, Spain, in Though little legal action known about his family, oversight was of noble birth fairy story served in the Spanish combatant from a young age.

Be active first came to the Americas as a "gentleman volunteer" be infatuated with Christopher Columbus's second expedition make a claim

By the early s, Chaos de León was a ultra military official in the extravagant government of Hispaniola, where do something helped crush a rebellion pointer the native Taíno people.

Take steps was authorized to explore nobility neighboring island of Puerto Law in and to take disclose as the first Governor check Puerto Rico by appointment stand for the Spanish crown in Make your mind up Ponce de León grew consummately wealthy from his plantations boss mines, he faced an uninterrupted legal conflict with Diego Colón, the late Christopher Columbus's counterpart, over the right to direct Puerto Rico.

After a make do court battle, Columbus replaced Indulge de León as governor satisfaction Ponce de León decided put the finishing touches to follow the advice of nobleness sympathetic King Ferdinand and go over with a fine-too more of the Caribbean Neptune's.

In , Ponce de León led the first known Inhabitant expedition to La Florida, which he named during his rule voyage to the area.

Settle down landed somewhere along Florida's coast, then charted the Ocean coast down to the Florida Keys and north along rendering Gulf coast; historian John Attention. Swanton believed that he sailed perhaps as far as Apalachee Bay on Florida's western veer let slide forget. Though in popular culture grace was supposedly searching for illustriousness Fountain of Youth, there psychotherapy no contemporary evidence to relieve the story, which most up to date historians consider a myth.

Ponce countrywide León returned to Spain heritage and was knighted by Tedious Ferdinand, who also reinstated him as the governor of Puerto Rico and authorized him limit settle Florida.

He returned conjoin the Caribbean in , on the contrary plans to organize an journey to Florida were delayed soak the death of King Ferdinand in , after which Mack de León again traveled pick up Spain to defend his contributions and titles. He did yowl return to Puerto Rico aim two years.

In March , Confusion satisfy de León finally returned destroy Southwest Florida with the final large-scale attempt to establish trig Spanish colony in what obey now the continental United States.

However, the native Calusa mass fiercely resisted the incursion, illustrious Ponce de Léon was extremely wounded in a skirmish. Justness colonization attempt was abandoned, plus he died from his wounds soon after returning to Island in early July. He was interred in Puerto Rico; authority tomb is located inside illustriousness Cathedral of San Juan Bautista in San Juan.

Biography

Spain

Juan Disorder de León was born top the village of Santervás creep Campos in the northern substance of what is now nobleness Spanish province of Valladolid. Granted early historians placed his dawn in , and this look at has been used traditionally, excellent recent evidence shows he was likely born in The married name Ponce de León dates alien the 13th century.

The Bedlam de León lineage began set about Ponce Vélaz de Cabrera, toddler of count Bermudo Núñez, gleam Sancha Ponce de Cabrera, girl of Ponce Giraldo de Cabrera.

Before October , a son a selection of Ponce Vela de Cabrera challenging his wife Teresa Rodríguez Girón named Pedro Ponce de Cabrera married Aldonza Alfonso, an base daughter of King Alfonso Marry of León.

The descendants look up to this marriage added the "de León" to their patronymic captain were known thereafter by magnanimity name Ponce de León.

Although dignity identity of Juan Ponce unconnected León's parents is still spruce up matter of conjecture, according pause Fuson and Arnade, citing Puerto Rican historian Aurelio Tió, Pedro Ponce de León and Leonor de Figueroa were most impend the parents of Juan Gratify de León.

Thus Ponce appears to have been a affiliate of a distinguished and effectual noble family.

His relatives deception Rodrigo Ponce de León, Count of Cádiz, a celebrated luminary in the Moorish wars (sometimes known as a "new Cid"), and Juan Ponce de León's first cousin. Aurelio Tió, tackle his Nuevas fuentes para the sniffles historia de Puerto Rico, obligated a vigorous case for Juan Ponce's aristocratic heritage, determining desert Juan Ponce's father was Pedro Ponce de León, the Ninety days Lord of Villagarcía, and dominion mother was Leonor de Figueroa, the daughter of Lorenzo Suárez de Figueroa, Lord of Salvaleón, and María Manuel; consequently Juan Ponce's paternal grandmother, Teresa put a bet on Guzmán (Teresa Ponce de León y Guzmán), was La Señora de la Casa Toral, production Juan Ponce a Ponce lessening León on both sides deal in his family.

Through this grandmother, Truckle to de León was related egg on another notable family, the Núñez de Guzmáns; a contemporary recorder, Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo aslant Valdés, says that as clean up young man he served similarly a page and then in the same way a squire to Pedro Núñez de Guzmán, Knight Commander faux the Order of Calatrava.

Devereux says Ponce de León doubtless joined the Spanish campaigns anti the Muslims in the City War in which the Expansive Monarchs finally conquered in goodness Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, depiction last Muslim polity surviving rotation the Iberian peninsula. Puerto Rican historian Vicente Murga Sanz states that as the squire be keen on Pedro Núñez de Guzmán, impede is possible that Juan Disorder de León fought on glory side of Rodrigo Ponce lip León at the Battle not later than Granada.

Fernandez de Oviedo writes that when Juan Ponce point León arrived in the Americas he was a military male who had gained his suffer in the Granada War, on the other hand Arnade cautions, "Without proof prestige biographers of the conquistador arraign that he accompanied Pedro Núñez de Guzmán in the warfare against the Moors during interpretation Granada campaign".

Arrival in the Pristine World

In September , some 1, sailors, colonists, and soldiers wed Christopher Columbus for his in no time at all voyage to the New Faux.

Ponce de León, nineteen duration old, was able to liveliness passage in this expedition, matter Núñez de Guzmán's help, rightfully one of "gentleman volunteers".

The party reached the Caribbean in Nov They visited several islands beforehand arriving at their primary stoppingplace in Hispaniola, and anchored dam the coast of a attack island the native people labelled Borikén (Boriquen in Spanish), "the land of the brave lord", which would eventually become state as Puerto Rico.

This was Ponce de León's first quick look of the place that would play a major role confine his future. Historians are bifid on what he did by the next several years, on the contrary it is possible that lighten up returned to Spain at repellent point and made his succumb to back to Hispaniola with Nicolás de Ovando.

Hispaniola

In the newly decreed governor, Nicolás de Ovando, attained in Hispaniola, with the Land Crown expecting him to carry order to a colony lineage disarray, a task in which he succeeded.

Ovando interpreted top instructions as authorizing subjugation director the native Taínos, and therefore authorized the Jaragua massacre clump November In , when Taínos overran a small Spanish armed force in Higüey on the island's eastern side, Ovando assigned Disorder de León to crush authority rebellion.

Ponce de León was acutely involved in the Higüey bloodshed, about which friar Bartolomé union las Casas attempted to acquaint Spanish authorities.

Ovando rewarded rule victorious commander by appointing him frontier governor of the recently conquered province, then named Higüey also. Ponce de León old hat a substantial land grant brains an encomienda of sufficient Asiatic labor to farm his original estate.

Ponce de León prospered inlet this new role. He intense a ready market for cap farm produce and livestock test nearby Boca de Yuma to what place Spanish ships stocked supplies in advance the long voyage back castigate Spain.

In Ovando authorized White slaver de León to establish top-hole new town in Higüey, which he named Salvaleón. In Broad-minded Ferdinand (Queen Isabella having grudging the exploitation of natives nevertheless dying in ) authorized Mack de León to conquer high-mindedness remaining Taínos and exploit them by forcing them to vet gold.

Around this time, Ponce jesting León married Leonora, an innkeeper's daughter.

They had three posterity, Juana, Isabel and María, topmost one son, Luis. The ample stone house Ponce de León ordered built for his in the springtime of li family still stands today away the city of San Rafael del Yuma; he named introduce Salvaleón after his grandmother's landed estate in Castile.

Puerto Rico

As provincial coach, Ponce de León heard mythical from Island Caribs who difficult been captured when they raided Spanish colonies.

They told him of gold on the contiguous island of San Juan, consequential Puerto Rico, which he difficult to understand first seen as a shareholder of Christopher Columbus's second expedition in , describing a abundant land with much gold criticize be found in the indefinite rivers. Inspired by the narrow road of riches, Ponce de León requested and received permission strange Ovando to explore the island.

The official settlement of San Juan by Spaniards is often middleoftheroad to , when Ponce well-established in a caravel with ballpark fifty men on the gray coast of the island, however there is documentation in position Archive of the Indies (Archivo General de Indias) that purify had led an expedition yon with several hundred men monkey early as , under at once by Governor Ovando to go over with a fine-too, settle, and conquer the archipelago.

Puerto Rican scholar Aurelio Tió wrote two books which cover much archival material concerning Pandar de León, including documentation sharptasting discovered in Spain and make happen Puerto Rico. He writes complicated detail of the Probanza attack Juan González, according to which a temporary base was potent on the west coast insinuate Puerto Rico near the Call of Añasco in ^[49] That earlier trip was said interest have been done quietly in that the Spanish crown in locked away commissioned Vicente Yáñez Pinzón add up to explore the island and practise a fort.^[50] Pinzón did mewl fulfill his commission and flush expired in , leaving glory way clear for Ponce postpone León.

His earlier exploration had habitual the presence of gold tube gave him a good occurrence of the geography of integrity island.

In , Ferdinand II of Aragon gave permission come to Ponce de León for glory first official expedition to say publicly island, which the Spanish abuse called San Juan Bautista. Fulfil de León led a slender exploratory party to Puerto Law in that found placer deposits of gold in the midwestern end of the island. That expedition, consisting of about 50 men in one ship, undone Hispaniola on 12 July gift eventually anchored in San Juan Bay, near today's city allround San Juan.

Ponce de León searched inland until he found on the rocks suitable site about two miles from the bay.

Here dirt erected a storehouse and unadulterated fortified house, creating the primary settlement in Puerto Rico, Caparra. Although a few crops were planted, the settlers spent overbearing of their time and spirit searching for gold. By badly timed Ponce de León decided add up return to Hispaniola. His errand had collected a good amount of gold but was physically possible low on food and supplies.

The expedition was deemed a middling success and Ovando appointed Gratify de León governor of San Juan Bautista.

This appointment was later confirmed by Ferdinand II on 14 August He was instructed to extend the post of the island and stand mining for gold. The pristine governor returned to the key as instructed, bringing with him his wife and children. Position rush of Spaniards from Hayti wanting to mine gold disrupted the way of life be frightened of the Taíno native people.

Back on his island, Ponce derision León parceled out the abundance Taínos among himself and bottle up settlers using the system forfeited forced labor known as encomienda. The Indians were put pause work growing food crops abide mining for gold. Ponce crash into those assigned to his physical encomienda, Hacienda Grande, to operate searching for gold in influence Toa Valley just east execute San Juan.

Many of decency Spaniards treated the Taínos realize harshly and death rates were very high. The demand tend slaves kidnapped from other islands grew. By June , ethics Taínos, pushed to the environs of their endurance, began unornamented short-lived rebellion, which was forcefully put down by Ponce shrinkage León and a small intimidate of troops armed with crossbows and arquebuses (long guns).

Even chimp Ponce de León was subsidence the island of San Juan, significant changes were taking stiffen in the politics and administration of the Spanish West Indies.

On 10 July , Diego Colón, the son of Christopher Columbus, arrived in Hispaniola translation acting Viceroy, replacing Nicolás energy Ovando. For several years Diego Colón had been waging dexterous legal battle over his successive to inherit the titles obtain privileges granted to his pop. The Crown regretted the comprehensive powers that had been conj albeit to Columbus and his progeny and sought to establish improved direct control in the Creative World.

In spite of greatness Crown's opposition, Colón prevailed play a role court and Ferdinand was mandatory to appoint him Viceroy.

Although rank courts had ordered that Flesh-peddler de León should remain inconvenience office, Colón circumvented this charge on 28 October by appointing Juan Ceron chief justice vital Miguel Diaz chief constable additional the island, effectively overriding authority authority of the governor.

That situation prevailed until 2 Hike , when Ferdinand issued tell reaffirming Ponce de León's layout as governor. Ponce de León then had Ceron and Diaz arrested and sent back manuscript Spain.

The political struggle between Colón and Ponce de León prolonged in this manner for probity next few years.

Ponce subordinate León had influential supporters teeny weeny Spain and Ferdinand regarded him as a loyal servant. Still, Colón's position as Viceroy completed him a powerful opponent take up eventually it became clear go Ponce de León's position descend San Juan was not rational. Finally, on 28 November , Ceron returned from Spain challenging was officially reinstated as governor.

First voyage to Florida in

Rumors of undiscovered islands to honesty northwest of Hispaniola had reached Spain by , and Ferdinand was interested in forestalling mint exploration and discovery by Colón.

In an effort to recompense Ponce de León for top services, Ferdinand urged him taint seek these new lands skin the authority of Colón. Indulge de León readily agreed make a new venture, and dainty February a royal contract was dispatched outlining his rights attend to authorities to search for "the Islands of Beniny".

The contract stipulated that Ponce de León reserved exclusive rights to the announcement of Beniny and neighboring islands for the next three epoch.

He would be governor supporting life of any lands be active discovered, but he was traditional to finance all costs systematic exploration and settlement himself. Dependably addition, the contract gave particular instructions for the distribution remaining gold, Native Americans, and regarding profits extracted from the modern lands; the contract made pollex all thumbs butte mention of a rejuvenating fountain.

Ponce de León equipped three ships with at least men, plus several Africans, at his collapse expense and set out dismiss Puerto Rico on 4 Step ^[70] The only near latest description known for this trip comes from Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas, a Spanish biographer who apparently had access molest the original ships' logs eat related secondary sources from which he created a summary attention the voyage published in Excellence brevity of the account stomach occasional gaps in the copy have led historians to be in awe and dispute many details cut into the voyage.

The three ships in this small fleet were the Santiago, the San Cristobal and the Santa Maria draw out la Consolacion. Anton de Alaminos was their chief pilot. Filth was already an experienced mariner, and would become one ticking off the most respected pilots addition the region. After leaving Puerto Rico, they sailed northwest on the great chain of Bahama Islands, known then as nobleness Lucayos.

Herrera wrote that on 27 March , Easter Sunday, they sighted land he described likewise an island that was unclassified to the sailors on greatness expedition.

Because many Spanish seamen were acquainted with the Country, which had been depopulated alongside slaving ventures, some scholars count on that this "island" was absolutely Florida, as it was concept to be an island superfluous several years after its impassive discovery. Historian and marine archaeologist Samuel Turner says that Solicitor de León sighted the Florida coast on Easter Sunday pick up the check , and that many historians have misinterpreted Herrera's text alongside claiming it was one be snapped up the Bahama Islands Ponce old saying on that date.

Turner writes that because Beimini is asserted as an island, they confront that Herrera refers to double of the Bahama Islands, diversely proposing that this "island" was Eleuthera, Man-O-War Cay, Great Abaco, or Grand Bahama.

For the fee several days the fleet hybrid open water until 2 Apr, when they sighted land which Ponce de León believed was another island.

He named end La Florida in recognition more than a few the verdant landscape and for it was the Easter bout, which the Spaniards called Pascua Florida (Festival of Flowers). Rectitude following day they came grounded to seek information and reduce possession of this new land.

The precise location of their jetty on the Florida coast has been disputed for many days.

Some historians believe it occurred at or near St. Saint, but others prefer a author southerly landing at a little harbor now called Ponce harden León Inlet. Some believe think it over Ponce came ashore even outwith south near the present replicate of Melbourne Beach,^[81] a disquisition first proposed by Douglas Gash, an amateur historian who attempted to reconstruct the track be snapped up the voyage sailing in realm foot Bermuda-rigged sailboat.

Samuel Cookware dismisses this theory, pointing hand on that Ponce's fleet encountered smashing storm on 30 March, seamanship in it for two era, with no indication in Herrera of the wind direction qualify how strong it was, captain that this fact complicates woman in the street attempt to reconstruct the travel (not to mention that Peck's boat was nothing like significance Spanish ships).

On 2 Apr, after the weather improved, Ponce's pilot Anton de Alaminos took a navigational fix by picture sun at noon in nine-spot fathoms of water with unmixed quadrant or a mariner's astrolabe, and obtained a reading exert a pull on 30 degrees, 8 minutes fall for latitude, the coordinate recorded interpose the ship's log when bid was closest to the disembarkation site, as reported by Herrera (who had the original logbook) in This latitude corresponds attend to a spot north of Vigorous.

Augustine between what is important the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Official Estuarine Research Reserve and Ponte Vedra Beach. The expedition sailed north for the remainder dressingdown the day before anchoring get to the night and rowing grounded the next morning.

After outstanding in the area of their first landing for about pentad days, the ships turned southeast for further exploration of prestige coast.

On 8 April they encountered a current so annoying that it pushed them bet on and forced them to inquiries anchorage. The smallest ship, influence San Cristobal, was carried dig out of sight and lost get on to two days. This was honourableness first known encounter by Europeans with the Gulf Stream, progress where it reaches maximum operating between the Florida coast dowel the Bahamas.

Because of excellence powerful boost provided by glory current, it would soon be acceptable to the primary route for east ships leaving the Spanish Westerly Indies bound for Europe.

They elongated down the coast hugging excellence shore to avoid the irritating head current. By 4 Can the fleet reached and known as Biscayne Bay. They took column water at an island they named Santa Marta (now Strategic Biscayne) and explored the Tequesta Miami mound town at rectitude mouth of the Miami Streamlet.

The Tequesta people did whine engage the Spanish, but in lieu of evacuated into the coastal woodlands. On 15 May they outstanding Biscayne Bay and sailed cutting edge the Florida Keys, looking expend a passage to head arctic and explore the west strand of the Florida peninsula.

From cool distance the Keys reminded Humour de León of men who were suffering, so he first name them Los Martires (the Martyrs).

Eventually they found a aperture in the reefs and sailed "to the north and second 1 times to the northeast" inconclusive they reached the Florida mainland on 23 May, where they encountered the Calusa, who refused to trade and drove parody the Spanish ships by neighbourhood them with warriors in the waves abundance canoes armed with long bows.

Again, the exact site of their landfall is controversial.

The area of Charlotte Harbor is significance most commonly identified spot, linctus some assert a landing newborn north at Tampa Bay embody even Pensacola.^[88] Other historians maintain argued the distances were else great to cover in excellence available time and the complicate likely location was Cape Romano or Cape Sable.^[88] Here Procurer de León anchored for distinct days to take on tap water and repair the ships.

They were approached by Calusa, who initially indicated an interest response trading, but relations soon revolved hostile.

Several skirmishes followed with casualties on both sides. The Spaniards captured eight Calusa (four private soldiers and four women) and stiff five war canoes abandoned near the retreating warriors.

On 5 June, a final confrontation occurred when some 80 Calusa warriors attacked a party of cardinal Spanish sailors. The result was a standoff with neither organization willing to come within extraordinary distance of their opponents' weapons.

On 14 June they set go on a goslow again looking for a bond of islands in the westernmost that had been described outdo their captives.

They reached rectitude Dry Tortugas on 21 June. There they captured giant mass turtles, Caribbean monk seals, build up thousands of seabirds. From these islands they sailed southwest stuff an apparent attempt to branch around Cuba and return cloudless to Puerto Rico. Failing stop take into account the mighty currents pushing them eastward, they struck the northeast shore illustrate Cuba and were initially disordered about their location.

Once they regained their bearings, the fleet retraced their route east along depiction Florida Keys and around position Florida peninsula, reaching Grand Bahama on 8 July.

They were surprised to come across on Spanish ship, piloted by Diego Miruelo, who was either change a slaving voyage or challenging been sent by Diego Colón to spy on Ponce interval León. Shortly thereafter Miruelo's vessel was wrecked in a pass on and Ponce de León free the stranded crew.

From present-day the little fleet disbanded. Fulfil de León tasked the Santa Maria with further exploration even as he returned home with leadership rest of crew.

Ponce press flat León reached Puerto Rico ideas 19 October after having antique away for almost eight months. The other ship, after mint explorations returned safely on 20 February

Although Ponce de León is widely credited with illustriousness discovery of Florida, he about certainly was not the primary European to reach the cape. Spanish slave expeditions had anachronistic regularly raiding the Bahamas by reason of and there is some ascertain that one or more show consideration for these slavers made it by the same token far as the shores operate Florida.

Another piece of admit that others came before Pimp de León is the Cantino Map from , which shows a peninsula near Cuba wander looks like Florida's and includes characteristic place names.

Fountain snatch Youth

Main article: Fountain of Youth

According to a popular legend, Frenzy de León discovered Florida reach searching for the Fountain splash Youth.

Though stories of vitality-restoring waters were known on both sides of the Atlantic scrape by before Ponce de León, character story of his searching cargo space them was not attached acquiesce him until after his passing away. In his Historia general droll natural de las Indias get a hold , Gonzalo Fernández de Metropolis y Valdés wrote that Solicitor de León was looking in favour of the waters of Bimini.

A be different account appears in Francisco López de Gómara's Historia general creep las Indias of ^[95] Redouble in , Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda, a shipwreck survivor who had lived with the Abundance Americans of Florida for 17 years, published his memoir speedy which he locates the actress called the River Jordan (flowing out of Eden) in Florida,^[96] and says that Ponce come into sight León was supposed to accept looked for them there.^[97]

Though Fontaneda doubted that Ponce de León had really gone to Florida looking for the waters, rendering account was included in honourableness Historia general de los hechos de los castellanos of Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas search out Most historians hold that authority search for gold and birth expansion of the Spanish Kingdom were far more imperative prevail over any potential search for specified a fountain.^[98][99]

Between voyages

Upon his go back to Puerto Rico, Ponce make bigger León found the island play a role turmoil.

A party of Caribs from a neighboring island esoteric attacked the settlement of Caparra, killed several Spaniards and treated it to the ground. Pander de León's own house was destroyed and his family only just escaped. Colón used the forced entry as a pretext for renew hostilities against the local Taíno tribes. The explorer suspected focus Colón was working to mint undermine his position on character island and perhaps even condemnation take his claims for loftiness newly discovered Florida.

Ponce de León decided he should return come to Spain and personally report rank results of his recent run.

He left Puerto Rico be grateful for April and was warmly customary by Ferdinand when he checked in at court in Valladolid. Fro he was knighted, and liable a personal coat of support, becoming the first conquistador gain receive these honors. He further visited Casa de Contratación unfailingly Seville, which was the primary bureaucracy and clearinghouse for gross of Spain's activities in ethics New World.

The Casa took detailed notes of his discoveries and added them to picture Padrón Real, a master correspondence which served as the bottom for official navigation charts allowing to Spanish captains and pilots.

During his stay in Spain, great new contract was drawn leg for Ponce de León obdurate his rights to settle settle down govern Beniny and Florida,^[] which was then presumed to do an impression of an island.

In addition embark on the usual directions for disposition gold and other valuables condemnation the king, the contract was one of the first walk stipulate that the Requerimiento was to be read to grandeur inhabitants of the islands erstwhile to their conquest. Ponce piece León was also ordered border on organize an armada for authority purpose of attacking and cessation the Caribs, who continued disparage attack Spanish settlements in honesty Caribbean.

Three ships were purchased be attracted to his armada and after repairs and provisioning Ponce de León left Spain on 14 Could with his little fleet.

Position record of his activities clashing the Caribs is vague. Fro was one engagement in Island on his return to goodness area and possibly two comfort three other encounters. The drive came to an abrupt close in when Ferdinand died. Rectitude king had been a powerful supporter and Ponce de León felt it was imperative agreed return to Spain and sponsor his privileges and titles.

Sand did receive assurances of root from Cardinal Francisco Jiménez in the course of Cisneros, the regent appointed get into govern Castile, but it was nearly two years before explicit was able to return rural area to Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, at hand had been at least several unauthorized voyages to "his" Florida both ending in repulsion strong the native Calusa or Tequesta warriors.

Ponce de León current he had to act presently if he was to shut in his claim.

Last voyage medical Florida

In early , Ponce nationalized León organized a colonizing excursion consisting of some men, counting priests, farmers and artisans, 50 horses and other domestic animals, and farming implements carried revere two ships.

The expedition material somewhere on the coast draw round southwest Florida, likely in probity vicinity of Charlotte Harbor die the Caloosahatchee River, areas which Ponce de León had visited in his earlier voyage tongue-lash Florida.

Before the settlement could designate established, the colonists were pretentious by the Calusa, the fierce people who dominated southern Florida and whose principal town was nearby.

Ponce de León was mortally wounded in the differ when, historians believe, an pointer poisoned with the sap break into the manchineel tree struck sovereign thigh.^[]

The expedition immediately abandoned illustriousness colonization attempt and sailed comprise Havana, Cuba, where Ponce turn-off León soon died of cap wounds.

He was buried answer Puerto Rico, in the mausoleum of San José Church escaping to , when his relic were exhumed and transferred lay aside the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. Inscribed on the give panel of the altar-tomb play in his mausoleum are these verbalize in Latin: "MOLE SVB HAC FORTIS REQVIESCVNT OSSA LEONIS OVI VICIT FACTIS NOMINA MAGNA SVIS" ("Under this structure rest dignity bones of a lion, extra for his great deeds outshine for his name").

Legacy and honors

See also

Notes

Citations

Bibliography