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20 Fascinating Facts About Hernando de Soto the Daring Explorer

In the records of history, emerges an individual whose boldness and insatiable curiosity have etched a name that resounds across ages: Hernando de Soto. Beneath his captivating charm lay a man whose appetite for uncovering the unknown knew no limits.

Venturing into perilous undertakings, de Soto confronted unexplored corners of the globe, facing the unfamiliar with an unyielding determination that left his contemporaries amazed.

His fearless exploits led him through dense jungles, over expansive oceans, and into territories unaffected by European influence, exposing wonders that stretched the limits of imagination. 

Transitioning from grand battles to personal challenges, from concealed riches to unwavering alliances, the narrative of Hernando de Soto weaves an intoxicating fusion of audacity and aspiration that both astonishes and ignites inspiration.

 As we set forth on his historical whirlwind, where each disclosure proved more astounding than the previous, we delve into the fascinating realm of Hernando de Soto, the intrepid explorer.

1. Hernando was born into a noble family

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Hernando de Soto was born around 1500 in Extremadura, Spain, to parents of modest noble status known as “hidalgos.” A hidalgo denotes a member of the Spanish or Portuguese nobility lacking a hereditary title.

Born in the province of Badajoz, he grew up in a region plagued by poverty, motivating many youngsters to seek their fortunes elsewhere. His birthplace is disputed among three towns—Badajoz, Barcarrota, and Jerez de los Caballeros—where he spent parts of his childhood.

2. He was granted the governorship of Cuba

De Soto requested King Charles for the authority to govern Guatemala and conduct explorations in the South Sea. However, he was appointed as the governor of Cuba instead.

De Soto was tasked with colonizing North America for Spain within four years, and in return, his family would receive a substantial land grant.

3. Hernando was a close friend and trusted lieutenant of Francisco Pizarro

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Hernando de Soto was a close friend and trusted lieutenant of Francisco Pizarro. They met in Panama, and they quickly became friends. They both shared a desire for adventure and riches, and they both believed that the Inca Empire was ripe for conquest.

In 1531, they led a small army of Spanish conquistadors into Peru, and they eventually succeeded in conquering the Inca Empire. De Soto was a key figure in the conquest, and he was rewarded with a large land grant in Peru. He remained a close friend and advisor to Pizarro until Pizarro’s death.

4. De Soto and crew were the first documented Europeans to discover the Mississippi River 

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Hernando de Soto and his crew were the first documented Europeans to discover the Mississippi River. They reached the river near the present-day city of Memphis, Tennessee.

De Soto and his men were exploring the interior of North America in search of gold and silver, and they were surprised to find such a large river. They crossed the river and continued their exploration for several more months, but they never found the riches they were looking for. 

There is some evidence that other Europeans may have seen the Mississippi River before De Soto, but there is no documentation to support these claims.

De Soto’s expedition is the first one that we know of that explored the river and wrote about it. As a result, De Soto and his crew are generally credited with the discovery of the Mississippi River.

5. Hernando presented himself as a deity in a ploy to gain their submission without conflict

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De Soto employed a tactic of presenting himself as a divine figure, the “immortal Son of the Sun,” to convince indigenous inhabitants to submit without resistance. As scepticism grew among some natives regarding his deity status, his followers were eager to hide his death.

The exact location of his burial remains uncertain. One account suggests that his men concealed his body using sand-filled blankets and discreetly sunk it in the middle of the Mississippi River under the cover of night.

6. He went on conquest for Panama

Hernando de Soto did go on an expedition in Panama. He arrived in Panama in 1514 with an expedition led by Pedro Arias Dávila. Dávila was the governor of Panama at the time, and he sent de Soto on several expeditions to explore and conquer the surrounding territories.

In 1519, de Soto led an expedition to the Isthmus of Panama, where he defeated the local Cacique and took control of the territory. This was de Soto’s first conquest, and it gave him a reputation as a skilled military leader.

7. Hernando was an integral part of the conquest of Peru

Hernando de Soto played an integral role in the conquest of Peru. As a trusted and skilled lieutenant under Francisco Pizarro, he commanded a cavalry force crucial in the capture of the Inca ruler Atahualpa.

His leadership and strategic insights contributed to the Spanish victory over the Inca Empire. De Soto’s participation helped secure vast amounts of wealth for the Spanish crown.

This success propelled him to prominence, later leading to his own expeditions and exploration efforts in other parts of the Americas, notably Florida and southeastern North America.

8. He encountered numerous Native American tribes during his conquest

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Hernando de Soto encountered numerous Native American tribes during his conquest of the southeastern United States.

He travelled through what is now the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. He encountered over 40 different tribes, including the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Cherokee, Catawba, Natchez, and Timucua.

De Soto’s interactions with the Native Americans were often violent. He enslaved many Native Americans and forced them to carry his supplies.

He also burned villages and crops. The Native Americans fought back against de Soto and his men, and there were many bloody battles.

9. He was a reputable trader in Nicaragua in the 1530s

Hernando de Soto was involved in trading activities in Nicaragua during the 1530s. He had acquired a reputation as an experienced and successful trader before his involvement in expeditions and conquests.

However, his role as a trader was overshadowed by his later ventures as a Spanish conquistador, explorer, and leader of expeditions in the Americas, particularly his participation in the conquest of the Inca Empire and his exploration of southeastern North America.

10. He led an unsuccessful expedition up the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula

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In 1530, De Soto became a regidor in León, Nicaragua. He led an expedition along the Yucatán Peninsula’s coastline, seeking a route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to facilitate trade with the lucrative Asian market.

When this endeavour failed and lacked resources for further exploration, De Soto left his holdings in Nicaragua following Pedro Arias Dávila’s demise.

He gathered his crew on ships he commissioned and rendezvoused with Francisco Pizarro at Tumbes, their initial outpost, just before embarking on their journey into present-day Peru’s interior.

11. Hernando taught an Emperor to play chess

When Pizarro and his troops first encountered Inca Atahualpa’s army at Cajamarca, Pizarro dispatched de Soto with fifteen men to invite Atahualpa for a meeting.

In the subsequent Battle of Cajamarca, de Soto led one of three groups of mounted soldiers as Pizarro’s forces attacked Atahualpa and his guards. Atahualpa was captured by the Spanish.

In 1533, Atahualpa was held captive in Cajamarca for months while his subjects gathered gold and silver objects to pay his ransom. During this period, de Soto developed a friendly relationship with Atahualpa and taught him chess. As rumours circulated about an approaching Inca army, Pizarro, worried, dispatched de Soto with 200 soldiers to scout.

During de Soto’s absence, those in Cajamarca decided to kill Atahualpa to thwart his potential rescue by the Incas.

12. De Soto served as a lieutenant governor of Cuzco in 1534

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Hernando de Soto did serve as a lieutenant governor of Cuzco in 1534. After the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, he was appointed to this position by Francisco Pizarro, who was the Spanish conquistador and governor of Peru at the time.

De Soto played a significant role in the administration and consolidation of Spanish control over the newly conquered territories in the Andes region. His tenure in this role marked his continued rise in prominence within the Spanish colonial hierarchy.

13. Hernando was admitted into the prestigious Order of Santiago 

In 1536, De Soto came back to Spain, bringing riches amassed during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. He was accepted into the esteemed Order of Santiago and permitted to undertake the colonization of Florida.

The King of Spain awarded him his share, comprising 724 gold marks and 17,740 pesos.

Europe is known for producing celebrated explorers and with Hernando coming from Spain, he is a powerhouse of the nation. But Spain is not the only nation to have celebrated explorers.

England has its share with Henry Hudson being a trailblazer for British explorers. Read more about this explorer who started exploring early here.

14. His will included masses that were to be said for him the day his body was interred

Before commencing his journey, De Soto crafted a fresh will. On May 10, 1539, he detailed his wishes within the will. It stipulated that his tomb should be draped with exquisite black fabric adorned with a red cross, symbolizing the Order of the Knights of Santiago.

On special occasions, a black velvet pall embellished with the De Soto family crest should grace the altar. He directed the employment of a chaplain, with a salary of 12,000 maravedis, to conduct five weekly masses for his, his parents, and his wife’s souls.

Additionally, he requested a multitude of other masses for various intentions, including his interment day, religious figures, and departed souls.

15. His Florida expedition landed him in south Tampa Bay

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During May 1539, De Soto arrived with a fleet of nine ships, carrying more than 620 men and 220 horses, in a region typically associated with southern Tampa Bay.

Historian Robert S. Weddle has proposed potential landing sites like Charlotte Harbor or San Carlos Bay. De Soto named this land Espíritu Santo, honouring the Holy Spirit.

Among the passengers were priests, craftsmen, engineers, farmers, and merchants, some accompanied by their families. These individuals hailed from diverse origins, including Cuba, Europe, and Africa.

16. He explored what is now the modern state of Georgia

Starting from their winter camp in the western part of Florida, upon learning of gold mining activities in the eastern direction, the expedition altered its course towards the northeast, traversing the area corresponding to present-day Georgia.

According to archaeological discoveries made in 2009 at a secluded site close to the Ocmulgee River, it is believed that de Soto’s group made a halt in Telfair County during their journey.

Exploring Georgia is one of the most impressive things Hernando did and that puts him among the most famous explorers ever. 

17. De Soto married Isabel de Bobadilla

He married Isabel de Bobadilla, who was the daughter of Pedrarias Dávila and had a familial connection to a close advisor of Queen Isabella. Isabel’s family had strong ties to the exploration and colonization of the Americas. She was the third offspring of Pedro de Arias Dávila and Isabel de Bobadilla y Peñalosa.

18. He never had any children

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The union of De Soto and Isabel de Bobadilla did not result in any offspring, and he had no children at the time of his death.

19. Hernando has a notoriety as one of the most ruthless explorers in history

Hernando de Soto was inducted into the Explorer Hall of Fame in Genoa, Italy. However, there was resistance to his inclusion due to his severe treatment of those he engaged in combat with, which encompassed both Native populations in North America and the Inca people in Peru.

20. He died of Fever

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Hernando de Soto passed away from a fever on May 21, 1542, in the indigenous settlement of Guachoya. Historical records present conflicting views regarding whether his death occurred close to modern-day McArthur, Arkansas, or in Louisiana, specifically on the western side of the Mississippi River.

Louisiana commemorated the presumed location with a historical marker.

Hernando stands out as one of the most well know explorers across the US but there is Sacagawea who established herself as a decorated explorer in her own right. To read more about her, click here.