by Andrew Rowen | Aug 17, 2024 | New York City
The historical record doesn’t date two events: when Anacaona first learned of Chief Caonabó’s death at sea en route to Spain; or when she returned from Caonabó’s chiefdom of Maguana to her native Xaraguá. As depicted in Columbus and Caonabó: 1493–1498 Retold, I...
by Andrew Rowen | Jul 3, 2024 | New York City
In mid-June 1496, Columbus departed Cádiz by mule with his two dozen Taíno captives for Seville, where he would wait for Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand’s summons for an audience. By month end, the entourage arrived to reside some days at the home and church of...
by Andrew Rowen | Jun 11, 2024 | New York City
The Niña and India arrived at Cádiz on June 11, 1496 (528 years ago). By chance, three caravels then were ready to depart Cádiz, bearing fresh supplies and Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand’s most recently prepared letters for Columbus in “Española,” which Columbus...
by Andrew Rowen | May 4, 2024 | New York City
Historians have disagreed when and where Chief Caonabó died at sea, with the primary sources noted below conflicted and unclear. Bartolomé de Las Casas believed he drowned right in the harbor at Isabela during a storm that sank the caravel in which he was chained...
by Andrew Rowen | Apr 10, 2024 | New York City
The Niña and India were overloaded with Spanish passengers and Taíno slaves (as well as Chief Caonabó), and Columbus imposed tight rations from the moment they departed Isabela for Spain (see prior post). He set the caravels’ initial course toward islands he’d visited...
