by Andrew Rowen | Mar 12, 2022 | New York City
With Isabela’s construction underway on the coast, on March 12, 1494 (528 years ago), Columbus heralded his conquest of “Española,” marching with five hundred men into the mountainous region the Taínos called the Cibao to build a fort intended to garrison soldiers who...
by Andrew Rowen | Feb 25, 2022 | New York City
The island’s Taíno chieftains scrutinized Isabela’s construction in early 1494 and the permanent presence apparently intended—but they didn’t attack. The chieftains then traded peacefully among themselves and with other peoples in the Caribbean (excepting Caribes),...
by Andrew Rowen | Feb 14, 2022 | New York City
Today, I break from posting chronologically about events depicted in Columbus and Caonabó: 1493–1498 Retold to discuss the weddings and marriages of three couples—Spain’s Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, the Taíno chieftain Caonabó and Anacaona, and Columbus and his...
by Andrew Rowen | Feb 2, 2022 | New York City
Isabela’s construction progressed in January 1494, laid out just as a contemporary Spanish town, with a church, crown, and military buildings at its core, a fortified residence for Columbus and his staff, and the voyagers’ homes emanating from the core, ordered by...
by Andrew Rowen | Jan 21, 2022 | New York City
After crossing Puerto de los Hidalgos, Alonso de Hojeda’s expedition descended south into the great valley of the modern Dominican Republic that Columbus would name La Vega Real (the Royal Plain). Journeying for two weeks, the men forded the Yaque River (which retains...
