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At least 20% of those who made up

the crews of Spanish ships were foreigners.

Of that number,

50% were Portuguese,

25% were Italians, and

25% were Flemings or Germans.

Hermann, a German Conquistador, becomes a "Human Being."

written & performed by Hermann Trappman

Contrary to common belief, the Spanish expeditions of the 16th Century were not entirely made up of Spaniards. Although strict rules existed to govern the number of foreignrs, Spain's main concern was that the soldiers were Roman Catholics. So men from Catholic countires all over "Christiandom" joined these early expeditions to seek their fortunes.

Hermann is a mercenary soldier, a landsqueknekt, who joined the Kings army as a boy in Germnany. He is with the army that sacks Rome in 1528 and then he turns to seek his fortune in the New World. In the end it is his experience living with the Calusa people ater being shipwrecked in South Florida in 1549 that changes his life forever.

"The only thing that distinguished a ship from hell itself was that at least the people on board could eventually hope to leave." Pablo E. Perez-Mallaina, Spain's Men of the Sea, John-Hopkin's University Press.

Time: 1 hour

Fee: $150.00 per 1 hour performance

Travel Time and Expenses extra, over 60 miles.

CONTACT
HERMANN'S BIO

Hermann has spent the past 25 years as an interpretive park ranger at Boyd Hill Nature Park in St. Petersburg, FL.

While there, he studied environmental systems coming to an understanding as to how humans survived in the environs of Tampa Bay has to offer.

As a child he played along the beaches, collected arrow points in the school yard, and tumbled along the paths of ancient Indian mounds.

As a young man he fished for mullet, crab and other fish in the bay.

Pretty much a self-taught artist, Hermann did spend a year studying at the Hous de Kunst in Germany.

As a result Hermann shares personal insights on the natural history of the area. His reflexions are known to profoundly affect his audiences.

NATURAL HISTORY LECTURES

• SCARS OF CHANGE - How Florida was formed over the millenia.

• FLORIDA'S PREHISTORIC CRITTERS - Florida Paleo-animals.

• OBSCURED BY TIME - Impressions of Florida's ancient past and people.

• THE MYSTERY OF PLANTS - Florida's paleo-botony.

NOTE: All programs include hands-on items such as rocks, fossils, reproduction artifacts and plants.

Please call (727) 321-7845 or CONTACT for details.
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