Quest: The Spanish Search For Gold
Episode IX: Here There Be Gold
Episode IX: Here There Be Gold
Jackie Powers: Hello and welcome once again to “Quest!” Tonight’s show is packed to the brim with excitement. We have exploits of explorers and conquistadors, we have new and exciting doors opening up for Spain both at home and abroad, we have wonderful discovery and a terrible loss and we have a great guest coming out in a moment to help us sort through it all. (walking over to the couches) But first, let’s so hello to our judges. Today we have King Midas and Goldfinger assisting. How are you gentlemen?
King Midas: Well, thank you. Wonderful to be back, Jimmy.
Goldfinger: I said I wasn’t coming back until we found something, so you better not be jerking my chain.
JP: Very well, Goldfinger. Let’s get going. Most of these years between 1500 and 1510 are spent colonizing the new world that has finally opened up to Spain. After sending the first few out in 1499 and 1500, their first real colony begins to spring up in Puerto Rico, but subsequent attempts to further it along were failures in 1501.
King Midas: I wonder what they are paying this Alonso fellow for? He’s certainly not assisting with establishing a colony there.
JP: It would take a while to get going, King Midas. However, the year 1500 also sees new discoveries by Vespucci along the African coast.
Vespucci discovers new nations with Benin in the province of Nigeria. Sadly, they have no gold they we can see.
Goldfinger: I don’t see any gold there, Bond.
JP: Soon, Goldfinger. Let’s not get too hasty.
King Midas: (Pointing at the screen) Oh, what’s that?
Trade explodes in the new center of Seville
JP: That is Spain’s new trade center in Andalusia. Isabel and Fernando also build a great royal wharf to launch plenty more expeditions. And, they were able to alter the domestic policy towards more innovative thought in 1501 as well.
Goldfinger: More innovating. Someone better innovate some gold around here!
JP: Coming up, Goldfinger. First we have trading posts sent out to Cartagena and Tortuga and a momentous occasion – that is, Fernando steps down as the head of the army at the start of 1502.
Goldfinger: My God man! What the hell is the matter with him? He’s still young!
King Midas: It is a bit odd.
JP: Things seemed to be peaceful as the new century began, and Isabel and Fernando must have decided to enjoy this time and focus on their newfound world than trouble with the goings on in Italia or France. And their new Spain was performing wonderfully. Their trade level moved to level three in 1502, as did their naval level the following year. And Alonso de Ojeda has moved from Puerto Rico to a newly established island called Cuba.
Goldfinger: At least there’s gambling. Finally something entertaining. Oh…don’t tell me the commies are already there?
JP: Not yet, Goldfinger. They name the newly established colony Moron in remembrance of Isabel’s dearly departed brother and the late King, Enrique IV.
King Midas: Appropriate, that.
JP: Yes, well…apparently not all of the peasants thought so as they had a bit of an uprising in response. Seems they didn’t find the tribute as amusing as the Catholic Kings did. But, we are rather lucky as we get a chance to ask the man himself. (stands and walks to center stage) Ladies and gentlemen, let’s meet tonight’s guest, Fernando, King of Spain!
Audience erupts with cheers and applause as Fernando walks out in a horrid red suit, c. 1977. The costume is given greater amusement by the fact that Fernando must weigh about 300 pounds.
Fernando: Larry…Larry…it’s wonderful to be here. (he walks right up to Jackie and plants a big kiss on his mouth.)
JP: King Fernando…(pulling away quickly) Please, sir. It’s a…wonderful to have you here.
Fernando: (thinking nothing is wrong and walking over to the couches) Well it’s great to be here. (stops and sees both King Midas and Goldfinger. He goes over to each and gives them great big hugs as he says) Midas old boy! Goldfinger…you old monkey! How the hell are ya?
JP: My King…please, let’s have a seat and discuss a few things…please…
Fernando: (calmly sitting now) Certainly, Larry. That’s a lovely blouse you are wearing…what color is that…purple?
JP: It’s white. And a black suit. Now let’s take a look at 1504. The year is punctuated by two pretty big events. Let’s go with the good first. In April of that year, the conquest of Cuba is complete, is it not?
Cuba is claimed for the empire
Fernando: (still looking at Jackie’s shirt) Well it’s lovely, whatever it is. Hmmm…Cuba….yes, it was finished. At least the groundwork was. Moron was humming along, and the other two were in the infant stages. Just like little babies…it takes time to grow strong, right?
JP: Umm…yes.
Goldfinger: (to King Midas) What the hell is this guy talking about?
JP: But the sad event of that year…very sad indeed…
Fernando: Yes…my darling bride met her untimely demise. She was aged, but still so young at heart…or mind…whatever, I don’t know…but she still had it at her age. In the end, I blame modern appliances. Once she had use of them, she was never the same back in Spain. Very heavy.
JP: That is sad indeed. So you stayed on as regent, yes?
Fernando: Well, our daughter, Juana officially inherited the throne of Castile. She had her old man, the deposed Duke of Burgundy, Philip. But he wasn’t much use. And as she was…touched, let’s say…I pretty much kept things going. I had some support though. And I needed it. Those first few months, I really couldn’t even get out of bed. I’m truly lost without her. Dark days, Larry. Very dark days.
JP: (looking at Fernando for a moment) I can see that. Perhaps discussing something more positive in 1505 might lighten the mood. Because I think this will lighten everyone’s mood. In March of 1505, Vespucci spots land and steps ashore long enough to hear stories from the natives that there is gold in the hills. For the first time in almost a century, Spain is aware that there is more gold in the world for them to conquer.
Spain has discovered gold in Leone
Fernando: It really was a beautiful sight, those first few blocks they brought back for me. It’s mesmerizing.
King Midas and Goldfinger: (dreamily) It sure is…
JP: So it seems that the post Isabel years were looked at as a new beginning in many ways. Did it spur any movement vis the rest of the continent, perhaps?
Fernando: Man…I really didn’t want to get involved in all that. The Papa kept trying to get me to go in on this, or back him on that. I would give him some lip service.
JP: Like here?
The Pope rounds up a posse against Venice
Fernando: I suppose so. Look, it made me look good in the eyes of most of the other heads of Europe. So Venice got a little pissed. Hey, they had their little embargo in the late 90’s too. I never even noticed, really. They were more upset by it than I certainly was.
JP: So you had no true plans to actually fight?
Fernando: Of course not.
Goldfinger: Why are you sitting on your ass, man?
JP: Goldfinger, please…he is a guest.
Fernando: No man, I’ll answer it. Because I was in grief. Not only did I have the death of my wife to think about, but her favorite, Columbus died in 1506.
JP: As did Juana’s husband, Philip.
Goldfinger: But you had just reached land level three.
Fernando: (as if wisdom) And mine enemies were still higher…
Goldfinger: Well somebody is high around here, but it ain’t your enemies.
Fernando: Heavy waves, man. Yes, things were quiet. I liked it that way…OK? I did a little diplomacy with France, sent a letter occasionally to the Papa…and just basically enjoyed hearing from all of the adventurers that came through the court.
JP: You had many, sire. Juan Diaz de Solis showed up around this time too, didn’t he?
Fernando: Sure man, sure. The only problems I had in those years were noble related. They kept putting down their peasants and feuding with one another…it was getting to be a real drag.
JP: But still, you had the discovery of land on the South American coast in 1507. Aires was established as a trading post. And in 1509, the famous Balboa shows up searching for work.
Fernando: We sent him down to Leone to see about getting that whole thing set up. He did a pretty good job.
JP: And you ended the decade on a pretty high note, didn’t you?
Mantanzas becomes a city in Moron
San Juan becomes a city in Puerto Rico
Fernando: (glancing at Goldfinger) You bet, man. I didn’t need them negative waves because I played with positive ones. Two new cities rose up in the Caribbean, and Balboa set out for Leone in 1510. I was happy, my beautiful grandson was happy even if his momma was a little loony. The country seemed happy. I didn’t want war. I wanted gold.
King Midas: (enthralled) Yes, I can certainly see why. An outstanding job you’ve done, sir…if I may say so?
Fernando: No, man…go right ahead. It’s that positive stuff that keeps us keepin’ on, you dig?
King Midas: Oh yes…I…completely…I…uh, dig…(smiling)
Goldfinger: OK, is this love fest over? I have work to do. Glad you found the gold this time, pal. Let’s see you keep it up. That’s the difference between a mastermind and an amateur.
JP: (to the audience) Well, sad as it is to say, our time is up for this show. But we’ve enjoyed our guests and seen quite a bit of progress made today. And join us next time when we have the famous Balboa join us, and another young man I think you will all be impressed with. Don’t miss it, right here on “Quest!”
Balboa heads for Leone. Hear all about it on the next episode…
When the news came of the gold strike in Leone I thought all the judges would do high fives with each other.
