Fontaneda: Calusa scholars owe him everything
A captive tells the tale...
Hernando D'Escalante Fontaneda survived a shipwreck on the coast of Florida in 1549 when he was 13 years old He lived with the Calusa Indians for 17 years until he was rescued in about 1566 when he was 30. He wrote his memoir in 1575. By all accounts he learned the Calusa language, and his memoir is perhaps the only first-hand written account of life among the tribe.
Right away I found his words important to and useful to my research for my upcoming novel Calusa Gold. I purchased a copy of his memoir from Abe Books a good company where I have been able to find several hard-to-find books.
The memoir contains details about what the Calusa people looked like, what they ate, and the territories they influenced. While the text is not long, I found it very important, as it verifies some of the main ideas and details I am using to describe the Calusa warriors in my book. I am also using Fontaneda as a character in my book; he will function as translator between Calusa King Callos and the Spanish Conquistador Admiral Pedro Menéndez De Avilés.
The following passage by Fontaneda includes the site of the Calusa capital, now identified as Mound Key, the man-made island in Estero Bay just south of Ft. Myers.
I wonder if the river he mentions is the Caloosahatchee. This makes sense as it it the waterway connecting the west coast of Florida with Lake Okeechobee. I am going to go with this in Calusa Gold, and it will appear near the end of book after my Calusa warriors return from the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan (Mexico City).
The house, cross, and church must be the Spanish settlement on Mound 2, the second highest spot on Mound Key.
Researchers have found evidence of post holes and the the tabby concrete the Spaniards used to build their walls and buildings on Mound Key. The island has been closed since Hurricane Ian struck the area last fall, but I want to go back as soon as it reopens. The next time I go, I won’t forget to bring bug spray.
In this next passage, Fontaneda includes some of my favorite details about the Calusa tribe. In calling them “fierce”, “brave” and “skilled in war”, he helped me create the Calusa warriors in my story. I am using these descriptions to portray them as superior to the Aztec soldiers they encounter. This has become essential in moving my plot forward.
I also liked this passage as it shows how the Calusa had such broad influence throughout Florida. Fontaneda’s use of the word “masters” is more evidence of their power and success. “Lake Mayaimi” was the native American name for Lake Okeechobee.
Finding evidence like this has become very important in plotting Calusa Gold. In my story, the Calusa king sees himself and his tribe as equals to Montezuma and the Aztecs. Without these brief lines from Fontaneda, I doubt my plot would have come to me. It certainly would be different, and to me, not as accurate or interesting.
I should probably mention that I am not going for 100% historical accuracy with Calusa Gold. It is a work of fiction, but Fontaneda’s words have definitely helped me to build my plot and make this more interesting and fun for me. Thanks Fontaneda.
Interesting
interesting article