Ranger Dan Stephens and Volunteer Tim Burke Demonstrate the use of the Arquebus.
De Soto National Memorial has special living history presentations at specific times of the year. The Spanish encampment features daily presentations (weather permitting) from mid-December to the last weekend in April. The Last day of the living history encampment also includes a special reenactment of De Soto's landing in 1539.
Did You Know?
The crossbow was such a fearsome weapon that in 1139 Pope Innocent II outlawed its use among Christians. However, no restriction was placed on its use against non-Christians, including the Native Americans that Hernando de Soto met on his 1539 Expedition to Florida. Visit De Soto National Memorial.
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