The Last Conquistadors of Southeast North America: Pedro Menéndez and the Collapse of La Florida’s Frontier

Imperial Spain’s conquistadors failed to add North America to its worldwide empire between 1513-1543. Decades later King Philip II renews the Spanish invasion of these lands known as La Florida. This award-winning book records these pivotal historic events as Commander Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and his captain Juan Pardo are ordered to remove French Huguenots from the Atlantic coast and pacify the Native Americans. In addition, these last conquistadors are expected to construct forts along a trail to the silver mines of northern Mexico. While early successes are promising, the Creek, Cherokee and Catawba eventually fight to rid their homeland of these outsiders — creating an unexpected twist to history for the yet to be United States of America as England and France lay claim to North America.