Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgments

ONE Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca

Ragged Castaway

TWO Francisco Vázquez de Coronado

Golden Conquistador

THREE María de Agreda

The Lady in Blue

FOUR Alonso de León

Texas Pathfinder

FIVE Domingo Terán de los Ríos/Francisco Hidalgo

Angry Governor and Man with a Mission

SIX Louis St. Denis/Manuela Sánchez

Cavalier and His Bride

SEVEN Antonio Margil de Jesús

God’s Donkey

EIGHT Marqués de San Miguel de Aguayo

Chicken War Redeemer

NINE Felipe de Rábago y Terán

Sinful Captain

TEN José de Escandón y Elguera

Father of South Texas

ELEVEN Athanase de Mézières

Troubled Indian Agent

TWELVE Domingo Cabello

Comanche Peacemaker

THIRTEEN Marqués de Rubí/Antonio Gil Ibarvo

Harsh Inspector and Father of East Texas

FOURTEEN Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara/Joaquín de Arredondo

Rebel Captain and Vengeful Royalist

FIFTEEN Women in Colonial Texas

Pioneer Settlers

SIXTEEN Women and the Law

Rights and Responsibilities

Afterword

Bibliography

Index