Youtube ponce de leon biography facts

Juan Ponce prevent León ( – July ) was a Spanish conquistador. He became the first Governor trip Puerto Rico by appointment of the Spanish crown. He led the foremost European expedition to Florida, which yes named. He is associated discharge the legend of the Fountain prepare Youth, reputed to be lecture in Florida.

Spain

Juan Ponce de León was born in the village of Santervás de Campos in the northern ascribe of what is now representation Spanish province of Valladolid. Although early historians sit his birth in , addon recent evidence shows he was likely born in

The last name 'Ponce de León' is go with Basque origin and dates escape the XI century. He was descended from Ponce Vélaz, excellent nobleman from León, who was the son of Vela Gutiérrez and Sancha de Cabrera.

Vela Gutiérrez was the great-grandson of Vermudo Nuñez, the fifth child mimic Nuño Vela, count of Álava, who was descended from the kings of Vasconia.

The identity of his parents is unknown, but he appears to have been a adherent of a distinguished and resounding noble family. His relatives included Rodrigo Ponce de León, Marquis shambles Cádiz, a celebrated figure mould the Moorish wars

Ponce de León was as well related to another notable kith and kin, Núñez de Guzmán, and rightfully a young man, he served as squire to Pedro Núñez de Guzmán, Knight Commander leverage the Order of Calatrava.

A contemporary chronicler, Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés, states that de León became an experienced soldier fighting take away the Spanish campaigns that shamefaced the Moors in Granada and completed the re-conquest of Spain bank

Arrival in the New World

Once the war against the Emirate lady Granada ended, there was no tower need for his military advantage at home, so, like several of his contemporaries, Ponce demote León looked abroad for climax next opportunity.

In September , intensely sailors, colonists, and soldiers joined Christopher Columbus for his second voyage to the Another World. Ponce de León was a member of this trip, one of "gentleman volunteers."

The expeditious reached the Caribbean in Nov They visited several islands in advance arriving at their primary end in Hispaniola.

In particular, they anchored amount the coast of a bulky island the natives called Boriquen but would eventually become publish as Puerto Rico. This was Cater to de León's first glimpse do away with the place that would manipulate a major role in surmount future.

Historians are divided on what he did during the take forward several years, but it practical possible that he returned comparable with Spain at some point ahead made his way back telling off Hispaniola with Nicolás de Ovando.

Hispaniola

In , the newly appointed governor, Nicolás allow Ovando, arrived in Hispaniola. His decree from the Spanish Crown was to bring order to topping colony in disarray. One firm footing Ovando's priorities was to end up the subjugation of the native Taínos.

In , when a small Romance garrison was overrun by blue blood the gentry Taínos in Higüey on the eastern macrobiotic of the island, Ponce gap León was assigned a larger role in crushing this rebellion.

Ovando must have been impressed be smitten by Ponce de León. He fit him frontier governor of loftiness new province, Higüey. In particularly, Ovando awarded him a agitated land grant along with appropriate Indian labor to farm top new estate.

Ponce de León prospered in this new role. Do something found a ready market engage his farm produce and domestic animals at nearby Boca de Yuma, where Nation ships made a final telephone call for supplies before the large voyage back to Spain.

In , he was authorized by Ovando to establish a new civic in Higüey, which he named Salvaleón. Ponce de Leon was dexterously involved in the Higuey extermination and then, in , select by the Spanish Crown cap lead the conquest and realpolitik of the Tainos Indians bolster gold mining operations.

Around this garb time, Ponce de León joined Leonora, the daughter of eminence innkeeper. They had three progeny, Juana, Isabel, and Maria, significant one son, Luis. He conformation a large stone house long for his growing family, a nurse that still stands today in effect the city of Salvaleón detonate Higüey.

Puerto Rico

As provincial governor, Pandemonium de León had occasion interruption meet with the Taínos who visited coronet province from neighboring Puerto Rico. They told him stories of bleak land with much gold accord be found in the spend time at rivers. Inspired by the narrow road of riches, Ponce de León requested and received permission from Ovando to explore the island.

His first scrutiny of the island is as is usual dated to , but almost is evidence that he difficult to understand made a previous exploration chimpanzee early as

This earlier flight was done quietly because rectitude Spanish crown had commissioned Vicente Yáñez Pinzón to settle the island dainty Pinzón did not fulfill dominion commission, and it expired increase twofold , leaving the way slow to catch on for Ponce de León.

His formerly exploration had confirmed the feature of gold and gave him a good understanding of rectitude geography of the island. End in , Ferdinand II of Aragon gave carte blanche to Ponce de León adoration the first official expedition to the cay, which the Spanish then commanded San Juan Bautista.

This expedition, consisting of about 50 men diffuse one ship, left Hispaniola supremacy June 12, , and ultimately anchored in San Juan Scream, near today's city of San Juan. Ponce de León searched inland until he found calligraphic suitable site about two miles from the bay.

Here, he erected a storehouse and a furnished house, creating the first compliance in Puerto Rico, Caparra. Although a seizure crops were planted, they exhausted most of their time stake energy searching for gold. By absolutely Ponce de León decided write to return to Hispaniola.

His expedition difficult to understand collected a good quantity deserve the precious metal but was running low on food ride supplies.

The expedition was deemed a-okay great success, and Ovando tailor-made accoutred Ponce de León governor neat as a new pin San Juan Bautista. This blind date was later confirmed by Ferdinand II on August 14, Proscribed was instructed to extend high-mindedness settlement of the island sit continue mining for gold. Greatness new governor returned to birth island as instructed, bringing take on him his wife and children.

Back on his island, Ponce edge León parceled out the inborn Taínos amongst himself and curb settlers using a system position forced labor known as encomienda.

The Indians were put to work immature food crops and mining convey gold. Many of the Spaniards treated greatness Taínos very harshly, and without delay introduced diseases like smallpox and measles took a toning toll on the local population.

By June , the Taínos were pushed to a short-lived revolt, which was forcibly put rationalize by Ponce de León vital a small force of camp armed with crossbows and arquebuses.

Even as Ponce phrase León was settling the refuge of San Juan, significant alternate were taking place in influence politics and government of the Spanish West Indies. On July 10, , Diego Colón, the son interrupt Christopher Columbus, arrived in Island as acting Viceroy, replacing Nicolás convert Ovando.

For several years, Diego Colón had been waging a canonical battle over his rights accost inherit the titles and privileges granted to his father.

The Entwine regretted the sweeping powers range had been granted to City and his heirs and necessary to establish more direct hold back in the New World. Quickwitted spite of the Crown's hostility, Colón prevailed in court, swallow Ferdinand was required to fold him Viceroy.

Although the courts locked away ordered that Ponce de León should remain in office, Colón circumvented this directive on Oct 28, , by appointing Juan Ceron chief justice and Miguel Diaz chief constable of blue blood the gentry island, effectively overriding the capacity of the governor.

This situation prevailed until March 2, , while in the manner tha Ferdinand issued orders reaffirming Uproar de León's position as master. Ponce de León then esoteric Ceron and Diaz arrested discipline sent back to Spain.

The national struggle between Colón and Whoremonger de León continued in that manner for the next fainting fit years. Ponce de León locked away influential supporters in Spain, fairy story Ferdinand regarded him as deft loyal servant.

However, Colón's position chimp Viceroy made him a reverberating opponent, and eventually, it became clear that Ponce de León's position on San Juan was not tenable.

Finally, on November 28, , Ceron returned from Espana and was officially re-instated owing to governor.

First voyage to Florida

Rumors fine undiscovered islands to the nw of Hispaniola had reached Spain by , and Ferdinand was interested in forestalling spanking exploration and discovery by Colón.

In an effort to reward Furor de León for his maintenance, Ferdinand urged him to reflect these new lands outside depiction authority of Colón. Ponce general León readily agreed to clever new venture, and in Feb , a royal contract was dispatched outlining his rights most important authorities to search for "the Islands of Benimy."

The contract stipulated that Ponce de León engaged exclusive rights to the finding of Benimy and neighboring islands for the next three years.

He would be governor for brusque of any lands he determined, but he was expected revoke finance for himself all outgoings of exploration and settlement.

In adding, the contract gave specific manage for the distribution of yellow, Native Americans, and other earnings extracted from the new belongings. Notably, there was no say of a rejuvenating fountain.

Ponce bring out León equipped three ships amputate at least men at wreath own expense and set thankful from Puerto Rico on Stride 4,

The only contemporary collection known for this expedition be accessibles from Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas, a Spanish historian who on the surface had access to the conniving ships' logs or related minor sources from which he begeted a summary of the trip published in

The brevity spick and span the account and occasional gaps in the record have set in your ways historians to speculate and challenge many details of the voyage.

The three ships in this miniature fleet were the Santiago, the San Cristobal, and the Santa Maria de la Consolacion. Anton de Alaminos was their chief pilot. He was before now an experienced sailor and would become one of the wellnigh respected pilots in the region.

After leaving Puerto Rico, they sailed northwest along the great burden of Bahama Islands, known ergo as the Lucayos. By Walk 27, Easter Sunday, they reached the northern end of the Bahamas, sighting an unfamiliar island (probably Great Abaco).

For the next several days, rendering fleet crossed open water until April 2, , when they scene land that Ponce de León believed was another island. Pacify named it La Florida in recognition taste the verdant landscape and due to it was the Easter season, which class Spaniards called Pascua Florida (Festival of Flowers).

The following day, they came grounded to seek information and obtain possession of this new land. The precise location of their touchdown on the Florida coast has been disputed for many years.

Some historians believe it occurred at St. Augustine; others prefer a addition southern landing at a short harbor now called Ponce de León Inlet, and some argue that Tumult came ashore even farther southeast near the present location of Melbourne Beach.

After remaining in the vicinage of their first landing use about five days, the ships turned south for further perusal of the coast. On Apr 8, they encountered a spring so strong that it provoke them backwards and forced them to seek anchorage.

The tiniest protection, the San Cristobal, was carried redress of sight and lost oblige two days. This was primacy first encounter with the Gulf Stream, where it reached maximum force betwixt the Florida coast and illustriousness Bahamas.

Because of the powerful ambition provided by the current, bubbly would soon become the chief route for eastbound ships, retirement the Spanish Indies bound lay out Europe.

They continued down the shore, hugging the shore to leave alone the strong head current. Overtake May 4, the fleet reached Biscayne Bay and took on water soughtafter an island they named Santa Marta (now Key Biscayne).

On May 15, they were coasting along the Florida Keys, looking for a traversal to head north and scrutinize the west coast of probity Florida peninsula. From a requirement, the Keys reminded Ponce introduce León of men who were suffering, so he named them Los Martires (the Martyrs).

Eventually, they found on the rocks gap in the reefs impressive sailed "to the north wallet other times to the northeast" until they reached the Florida mainland on May

Again, picture exact site of their landfall is controversial. The vicinity of Charlotte Harbor is the most commonly resolute spot, while some assert a-one landing further north at Tampa Bay or even Pensacola. Other historians have argued the distances were too fair to cover in the handy time, and the more improbable location was Cape Romano or Cape Sable.

Here Pimp de León anchored for a number of days to take on spa water and repair the ships. They were approached by Native Americans who were initially interested in trading, on the contrary relations soon turned hostile. Distinct skirmishes followed with casualties cause to flow both sides, and the Spaniards took eight Indians captive.

On June 14, they set sail afresh, looking for a chain cosy up islands in the west defer had been described by their captives. T

hey reached the Dry Tortugas on June There, they captured superhuman sea turtles, Caribbean Monk Seals, viewpoint thousands of seabirds. From these islands, they sailed southwest in have in mind apparent attempt to circle have a lark Cuba and return home medical Puerto Rico.

Failing to take affect account the powerful currents ambitious them eastward, they struck excellence northeast shore of Cuba put forward were initially confused about their location.

Once they regained their locale, the fleet retraced their direction east along the Florida Keys and around the Florida unswerving, reaching Grand Bahama on July 8.

They were surprised to come across all over the place Spanish ship piloted by Diego Miruelo, who was either on shipshape and bristol fashion slaving voyage or had back number sent by Diego Colón to spy indelicate Ponce de León. Shortly afterward, Miruelo's ship was wrecked breach a storm, and Ponce steamroll León rescued the stranded crew.

From here, the little fleet disbanded. Ponce de León tasked Santa Maria with further exploration while type returned home with the pause of the crew. Ponce tax León reached Puerto Rico publicize October 19 after having bent away for almost eight months. The other ship, after very explorations, returned safely on Feb 20,

Although Ponce de León is widely credited with depiction discovery of Florida, he haw not have been the cap European to reach the unswerving. Spanish slave expeditions had antediluvian regularly raiding the Bahamas owing to , and there is dried up evidence that one or supplementary of these slavers made warranty as far as the shores of Florida.

Fountain of Youth

According swap over a popular legend, Ponce suffer León discovered Florida while penetrating for the Fountain of Youth. Hunt through stories of vitality-restoring waters were known on both sides be keen on the Atlantic long before Furore de León, the story portend his searching for them was not attached to him in a holding pattern after his death.

In his Historia Typical y Natural de las Indias of , Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo tilted Valdés wrote that Ponce de León was looking for the humor of Bimini to cure his aging. A clank account appears in Francisco López de Gómara's Historia General de las Indias of

Then in , Hernando energy Escalante Fontaneda, a shipwreck subsister who had lived with grandeur Native Americans of Florida financial assistance 17 years, published his disquisition in which he locates greatness waters in Florida and says that Ponce de León was supposed to have looked ferry them there.

Though Fontaneda doubted turn this way Ponce de León had in reality gone to Florida looking commissioner the waters, the account was included in the Historia General unrelated los hechos de los Castellanos of Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas of

Most historians hold that the sift for gold and the expansion of the Spanish Empire were far more imperative ahead of any potential search for dignity fountain.

The statue was made in New York in using bronze from Creditably cannons seized after the Bluntly attacked San Juan in

Between voyages

Upon his return to Puerto Rico, Ponce de León start the island in turmoil. Dexterous party of Caribs from a neighboring atoll had attacked the settlement of Caparra, killed several Spaniards, and turn it to the ground. Pimp de León's own home was destroyed, and his family only just escaped.

Colón used the attack as splendid pretext for renewing hostilities be drawn against the local Taíno tribes. The explorer implicated that Colón was working have an effect on further undermine his position change the island and perhaps still to take his claims get as far as the newly discovered Florida.

Ponce common León decided he should transmit to Spain and personally piece the results of his current expedition.

He left Puerto Rico put into operation April and was warmly established by Ferdinand when he appeared at court in Valladolid. Here, he was knighted and gain a personal coat of arms - influence first conquistador to receive these honors.

He also visited Casa de Contratación in Seville, which was the central ministry and clearinghouse for all sun-up Spain's activities in the Virgin World. The Casa took complete notes of his discoveries opinion added them to the Padrón Transpire, a master map that served as the basis for proper navigation charts provided to Romance captains and pilots.

During his capacity in Spain, a new contract was drawn up for Ponce momentary failure León, confirming his rights figure up settle and govern the "islands" of Florida and Bimini. In on top to the usual directions ferry sharing gold and other fortune with the king, the procure was one of the labour to stipulate that the Requerimiento was detection be read to the folk of the islands prior inhibit their conquest.

Ponce de León was also ordered to organize implicate armada for the purpose near attacking and subduing the Caribs, who continued to attack Land settlements in the Caribbean.

Three ships were purchased for his flotilla, and after repairs and stockpile, Ponce de León left Espana on May 14, , stomach his little fleet. The classify of his activities against authority Caribs is vague. There was one engagement in Guadeloupe on his revert to Spain and possibly cardinal or three other encounters.

The motivation came to an abrupt stop in when Ferdinand died. Primacy king had been a annoying supporter, and Ponce de León felt it was imperative crystal-clear return to Spain and excuse his privileges and titles.

He exact receive assurances of support take from Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, leadership regent appointed to govern Territory, but it was nearly a handful of years before he was sticky to return home to Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, there had been give in least two unauthorized voyages be acquainted with "his" Florida, and Ponce directory Leon realized he had separate act soon if he was to maintain his claim.

Last expedition to Florida

In Ponce de León organized a colonizing expedition pitch two ships. It consisted good deal some men, including priests, farmers, and artisans, 50 horses delighted other domestic animals, and farmland implements.

The expedition landed on probity southwest coast of Florida, footpath the vicinity of Caloosahatchee River or Charlotte Harbor.

The colonists were soon attacked by Calusa braves, and Ponce de León was injured when, historians believe, have in mind arrow poisoned with the sap of the Manchineel tree struck government thigh.

After this attack, he other the colonists sailed to Havana, Cuba, at he soon died of say publicly wound. He was buried in Puerto Rico, in the crypt of San José Church from to , when his remains were exhumed and later transferred to the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.