The Enterprise of Florida: Pedro Menendez de Aviles and the Spanish Conquest of 1565-1568

by Eugene Lyon

A Spanish or Spanish colonial official, appointed to represent the King’s interest in frontier areas in return for grants of authority and certain revenues and exemptions . --from the glossary of The Enterprise of Florida This biography of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, described as "magisterial" by Florida Historical Quarterly , explicates the role of private conquerors in Spanish expansion. Using primary materials in Spanish and Florida archives, many studied for the first time, Eugene Lyon refutes the claim that the Spanish contract to settle Florida was signed with Menéndez in response to news of the French foothold at Fort Caroline. Not merely an expedition of military dominance or even of religious zeal, the Florida enterprise was primarily a joint commercial venture between Menéndez and the Crown, with the adelantado assuming most of the risks. Menéndez negotiated contracts for opening trade and agricultural centers, and he exploited family ties, particularly with his Asturian kinship group, who supported the adventure with men, ships, and money.

Genres: History

253 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1983

Reviews

[Domenick Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although Mr. Lyon has a certain admiration for Menendez his anti- Catholic bias really comes out. Besides being quite dry, many of the things he states as fact have been disproven by other historians and accounts of Menendez's life. I would not recommend this book. If you are looking for a better read on this topic I suggest The Romance of the Floridas by Fr. Michael Kenny or if your looking for a short easy read Menendez: Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Captain General of the Ocean Sea by Albert Maucy.

[Justinian]

2017-02 - The Enterprise of Florida: Pedro Menendez de Aviles and the Spanish Conquest of 1565-1568. Eugene Lyon (Author) 1976. 263 Pages.

Read this prior to our annual trek to La Florida (as we call it in our house.) I was looking for some foundational knowledge about the beginnings of La Florida so that I could better understand the landscape and history of that area. It helps when you ae visiting Saint Augustine and other areas of early habitation and exploration to have the framework and back ground when you tread on that land and look out upon it. It increasingly matters as US population shifts to these areas of New Spain. It is part of our story and we need to recognize that, understand it, and celebrate it. The colony of La Florida was very much in reaction to the context of the times. The Spanish were reacting to Protestant threats in Europe spilling over into the New World and were seeking to expand and protect New Spain. The story of the early battles in America against the French are well told in this book, including the massacres at Matanzas. The colony was very much a licensed private enterprise for public good as it were. Pedro Menendez is a striking character who spent not as much time in his colony as you would expect ... sharing that occasionalness with William Penn. Commercial concerns dominated and slavery was contemplated. It was very interesting to see the trade routes with Vera Cruz and the Caribbean used to support this outpost. A bit deep into the legal and negotiating at times but still an excellent book and a story that is part of our history.

[Frances Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed account of Menendez's conquest of Florida, relying heavily on good primary sources from the Archivo General de Indias