Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer of the New World, and one of four survivors of the 1527 Narváez expedition. During eight years of traveling across what is now the US Southwest, he became a trader, evangelist, and faith healer to various Native American tribes before reconnecting with Spanish civilization in Mexico in 1536. After returning to Spain in 1537, he wrote an account of his experiences, first published in 1542 as La relación y comentarios ("The Account and Commentaries"), and later retitled Naufragios y comentarios ("Shipwrecks and Commentaries"). Cabeza de Vaca is sometimes considered a proto-anthropologist for his detailed accounts of the many tribes of Native Americans that he encountered.
Shipwrecked Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca becomes the first known European to set foot in Texas
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer of the New World, and one of four survivors of the 1527 Narváez expedition.
Historical Significance
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer of the New World, and one of four survivors of the 1527 Narváez expedition.
Events Before
Croatian nobles elect Ferdinand I of Austria as King of Croatia in the Parliament on Cetin
The Kingdom of Croatia (Croatian: Kraljevina Hrvatska; Latin: Regnum Croatiae; Hungarian: Horvát Királyság, German: Königreich Kroatien) was part of the Lands of the Hungarian Crown, but was subject...
Spanish and German Imperial troops sack Rome, ending the Renaissance. Charles III, Duke of Bourbon is killed in the assa
Spanish and German Imperial troops sack Rome, ending the Renaissance. Charles III, Duke of Bourbon is killed in the assault removing any restraint for the victorious soldiers.
Pánfilo de Narváez departs Spain to explore Florida with five ships and 600 men; by 1536, only four men are still alive
Pánfilo de Narváez departs Spain to explore Florida with five ships and 600 men; by 1536, only four men are still alive
Ferdinand of Austria crowned as king of Bohemia
Ferdinand of Austria crowned as king of Bohemia
Florence becomes a republic
The Republic of Florence (Latin: Res publica Florentina; Old Italian: Republica di Fiorenza), known officially as the Florentine Republic, was a medieval and early modern state that was centered on...
Events After
Second Diet of Speyer convenes, condemns and attempts to reverse 1526 Diet of Speyers relaxation of ban on Luther's teac
Second Diet of Speyer convenes, condemns and attempts to reverse 1526 Diet of Speyers relaxation of ban on Luther's teachings); official protest to attempted reversal on 25 April creates the term "Protestantism"
Treaty of Saragosa: Spain and Portugal divide eastern hemisphere
Treaty of Saragosa: Spain and Portugal divide eastern hemisphere
30 Jews of Posing, Hungary, charged with blood ritual, burned at stake
30 Jews of Posing, Hungary, charged with blood ritual, burned at stake
Zurich declares war on Catholic cantons
Zurich declares war on Catholic cantons
Battle of Landriano: Imperial-Spanish forces under Don Antonio de Leyva, Duke of Terranova, beat a French army under Fra
Battle of Landriano: Imperial-Spanish forces under Don Antonio de Leyva, Duke of Terranova, beat a French army under Francis de Bourbon, Comte de St. Pol
More from the 1520s
Croatian nobles elect Ferdinand I of Austria as King of Croatia in the Parliament on Cetin
The Kingdom of Croatia (Croatian: Kraljevina Hrvatska; Latin: Regnum Croatiae; Hungarian: Horvát Királyság, German: Königreich Kroatien) was part of the Lands of the Hungarian Crown, but was subject...
Martin Luther is excommunicated by Pope Leo X from the Roman Catholic Church for refusing to recant parts of his Ninety-
Martin Luther is excommunicated by Pope Leo X from the Roman Catholic Church for refusing to recant parts of his Ninety-Five Theses, which started the Protestant Reformation
Gustav I of Sweden is crowned King of Sweden, rules for 37 years, and becomes known as the "father of the nation"
Gustav I of Sweden is crowned King of Sweden, rules for 37 years, and becomes known as the "father of the nation"
Charles V and Francis I sign the Treaty of Madrid, forcing Francis to renounce his claims to Burgundy, Italy, and Flande
Charles V and Francis I sign the Treaty of Madrid, forcing Francis to renounce his claims to Burgundy, Italy, and Flanders
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on November 6, 1528?
- Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer of the New World, and one of four survivors of the 1527 Narváez expedition. During eight years of traveling across what is now the US Southwest, he became a trader, evangelist, and faith healer to various Native American tribes before reconnecting with Spanish civilization in Mexico in 1536. After returning to Spain in 1537, he wrote an account of his experiences, first published in 1542 as La relación y comentarios ("The Account and Commentaries"), and later retitled Naufragios y comentarios ("Shipwrecks and Commentaries").
- Why is Shipwrecked Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca becomes the first... significant?
- Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer of the New World, and one of four survivors of the 1527 Narváez expedition.