Synopsis
How a name took hold: the origins of California
This nonfiction work traces how the land across the gulf came to be known and named. It centers on Cortes’s arrival and the early records that shaped the first map of the coast, including formal acts of possession and the conqueror’s own letters. The narrative weaves together accounts from Diaz del Castillo, Gomara, and Herrera to show how different voices described the coast and its early encounters.
Two key strands run through the text. First, it documents the moment Cortes named the land Santa Cruz and notes the date and reasons behind that choice. Second, it details how later witnesses and historians referenced the place, revealing the evolving understanding of California in the colonial period. The material leans on primary documents alike the Auto de posesion and contemporaneous letters, offering a documentary window into an early chapter of exploration.
- Traces the initial naming events tied to Cortes and the Holy Cross festival.
- Analyzes the role of primary documents, including possession acts and Cortes’s letters.
- Shows how later chronicles treated the coast and its geography.
- Provides context for the early map sketch and the coast’s first outline.
Ideal for readers of exploration history, toponymy, and the study of how place names emerge from voyages and records.
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California: The Name (Classic Reprint)
Print on DemandSeller: Forgotten Books, London, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: New. Print on Demand. This book delves into the fascinating origins of the name "California," exploring the possible connections between a captivating Spanish romance and the subsequent discovery of the peninsula. The author traces the evolution of the word from its first appearance in print in the 16th century to its eventual adoption as the name of the Golden State. Along the way, the book provides a glimpse into the literary and historical context of the time, examining the influence of romantic novels and the impact of early explorations on the shaping of place names. The author also considers the enduring legacy of this literary connection and its role in shaping the perception of California as a land of both opportunity and mystery. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book. print-on-demand item. Seller Inventory # 9781333830960_0
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California The Name Classic Reprint
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781333830960
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California The Name Classic Reprint
Seller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781333830960
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