Spanish conquistador Pedro Menendez De Aviles: how'd he die?

Question

I know he died in Santander, Spain on September 17, 1574--but how? My internet research is sketchy. Some sites say the cause was war and some say the cause was sickness. Details would be appreciated and will determine whom I will select as Best Answerer. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés (February 15, 1519-September 17, 1574), was a 16th century Spanish admiral and pirate hunter, known most notably for his founding of St. Augustine, Florida and his subsequent destruction of the French settlement of Fort Caroline in 1565. The first Spanish governor of Spanish Florida, he founded St. Augustine, the first permanent European settlement and oldest port city in the United States, on August 28, 1565.

Eventually reaching Cuba, he was appointed as governor of the island shortly after his arrival. Consequently, the absence of Menéndez would see Spain's military presence in the region decay to the extent that the British began moving into the region by the end of the century. He eventually died in Santander on September 17, 1574.

Aviles returned to Spain in 1567, and later died while fighting the British in a naval battle at Santander, Spain.

Answer 2

I looked at several on line encyclopedias and it appears although he had a remarkable life his death was not so. No tyranny, war or uprising just a man living a a mayor and quietly dying. Kind of poetic really. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I've looked him up in several places and nothing states exactly how he died..just the fact that he did.

Answer 4

he died when he was 55 im not sure thats old age

Answer 5

old age

Answer 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Menendez_De_Aviles