The name "California" derives from a 16th Century romance novel written by a Spanish author named Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo. It was titled, "Las Sergas del muy esforzado caballero Esplandian, hijo del excelente rey Amadis de Gaula," meaning "The exploits of the very powerful cavalier Esplandian, son of the excellent king Amadis of Gaul."
The novel described an island, very close to the Garden of Eden, full of gold, which was ruled by strong and beautiful black women. This island was also populated by griffins, a fantastical lion-eagle hybrid, which the women kept as pets. Any man who found his way onto this island was killed and fed to the griffins.

Luka Tripkovic