Explorers from Spain

Hernando De Soto

               Hernando De Soto was born between 1496 and 1500 in the South central Spanish province. Historians don’t exactly know which year he was born in but do know he was born in Extremadura. His father’s name is Francisco Mendez De Soto and he was a poor nobleman. Hernando’s mother gave birth to at least 4 children in the town of Jerez de los Caballeros. His family came from a military class who had to fight in a war. This war was against Muslims from North Africa called Moors. The family was then brought down from a important family.

                          When Hernando De Soto was around 14 years old he went to Seville. There he went on a voyage with Don Pedrarias Davila. Pedrarias was a trusted military leader and was governor of modern day Panama. With 20 ships, 2000 voyagers, 150 tons of biscuits and 69,000 gallons of oil and wine they set off for Panama. When they reached Panama on June, 26, Hernando was questioning the stories about the new world.  At the time, Panama’s weather was hot and humid, and the area was mosquito-infected.

                     When the Incan King, Atahualpa entered the central plaza he saw nobody but a priest. The priest gave the king the bible and then yelled “Blasphemy!” Blasphemy was a signal for the Spaniards to come out of hiding and attack. The 200 man army of Pizarro killed thousands of Incans and captured Atahualpa. He promised the Incan king that he would let him go only if Incans filled up the room with silver and gold. It took the Incans seven months to fill the room with pitchers, golden cups, bowls, and plates. The room they stacked the riches in was 9 feet high, 20 feet long and 17 feet wide. The money that was given to Pizarro and de Soto was around 100 million dollars in today’s money!

                     Hernando De Soto returned home in Spain after 22 years. Their he married Isabel De Bobadilla, daughter of Pedrarias. On April 1538 he set sail for Cuba and then decided to go to Florida.He was greedy for more gold so he went north. On his way an Indian woman gave him somewhat 350 pounds of pearls. Then he fought his most dangerous battle in Alabama.He lost many of his men but was a greedy man.He continued north but found no gold, just the mississppi river.