c. 1500 |
Esteban is born in Africa. |
|
c. 1522 |
Esteban arrives in Spain. |
|
1527 |
Narváez’s expedition sails from Spain for the Caribbean. |
|
1528 |
Easter: expedition lands near Tampa Bay. |
|
1528 |
Fall: survivors land on Malhado, probably Galveston Island, Texas; disease strikes. |
|
|
A handful of survivors live with the Karankawa Indians of the Texas coast. |
|
1533 |
Only four men left alive: Esteban, Dorantes, Castillo, and Cabeza de Vaca. |
|
1534 |
The four leave the Karankawa and head inland. |
|
1535 |
The four travel through northeast Mexico, go up the Rio Grande, turn west at El Paso, spend Christmas at Corazones. |
|
1536 |
March: the four meet Spanish slavers in northwest Mexico, reach Mexico City. |
|
|
July: the four make their official report in Mexico City. |
|
1537 |
February: Cabeza de Vaca and Dorantes try to sail for Spain. |
|
|
August: Cabeza de Vaca lands at Lisbon and goes to the Spanish court. |
|
|
November–December: Dorantes returns to Mexico after months lost at sea. |
|
1538 |
Winter: Dorantes appointed as captain of cavalry for the expedition to the Seven Cities. |
|
|
Summer: Dorantes is sidelined; Esteban is appointed as a “guide” and military leader of the expedition to the Seven Cities; Marcos de Niza is appointed as religious leader. |
|
|
Fall: expedition to the Seven Cities leaves Mexico. |
|
1539 |
Easter: Esteban leaves Marcos at Vacapa in northeastern Mexico. |
|
|
Spring: Esteban reaches Zuni Pueblos, known as the Seven Cities of Cibola. |
|
|
Summer–fall: Marcos returns to Mexico City reporting Esteban’s death. |
|
|
Fall: Mendoza organizes a major expedition to the Seven Cities, commanded by Coronado. |
|
1540 |
Coronado reaches Zuni Pueblos; further reports of Esteban’s death |