The unwritten history of old St. Augustine

This volume opens a rare window onto the birth of St. Augustine, drawing directly from Spanish archives that have lain untouched for three centuries. Through translated royal decrees, letters from King Philip II, and dispatches penned by Pedro Menéndez himself, listeners hear the official motives and logistical hurdles behind Spain’s push to claim Florida. The clear, straightforward style of the documents lets the listener sense the urgency and ambition that drove the early expedition.

The narrative then follows the first fleet’s perilous journey, chronicling the search for safe harbors, encounters with rival English and French settlers, and the practical challenges of moving men, horses, and supplies across unfamiliar coasts. As the Armada anchors in bays that would become the foundations of the settlement, the reports reveal the blend of hope and hardship that marked those early days. Together, these primary sources paint an intimate portrait of a pivotal moment in America’s colonial history.