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Philip II halts Spain's push into Florida
A royal cedula halts Spanish colonizing efforts in Florida, issued the same year Philip II makes Madrid his permanent capital.
Spain had spent decades probing Florida for settlements, treasure, and a foothold against rival powers in the Americas. On September 23, 1561, King Philip II issued a cedula from Spain ordering a halt to further colonizing efforts in the region. The order came the same year that a fire in Valladolid prompted Philip to move his royal court to Madrid, consolidating the empire's decision-making in one city as its reach in the New World stalled…
