From the time of its discovery in 1513 until its permanent settlement in 1565, Florida was more than a match for the most intrepid Spanish conqueror. To hard-bitten soldiers like Hernando de Soto and Juan Ponce de Leon, the province yielded little but extreme privation, incredible hardship, and violent death. [Note: The early explorers and conquerors who tried but failed to settle Florida were Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513 and 1521, Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon in 1526-1527, Panfilo de Narvaez in 1528, Hernando de Soto in 1539-1541, Father Luis Cancer in 1549, and Tristan de Luna y Arellano in 1559-1561.] For almost 50 years Spanish conquistadores tried unsuccessfully to conquer and colonize this inhospitable land. In fact Spain actually gave up its efforts to settle Florida in September, 1561. [Note: Lowery points out that Philip II closed Florida to further colonial endeavors in the fall of 1561.] (Tepaske GSF)