12 Facts About Califia

Calafia, or Califia, is the fictional queen of the island of California, first introduced by 16th century poet Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo in his epic novel of chivalry, Las sergas de Esplandian, written around 1510.

Califia's marries a cousin of Esplandian and returns with her army to California for further adventures.

Califia's is said to be "desirous of achieving great things"; she wanted to see the world and plunder a portion of it with superior fighting ability, using her army of women warriors.

Califia's commanded a fleet of ships with which she demanded tribute from surrounding lands, and she kept an aerial defense force of griffins, fabulous animals which were native to California, trained to kill any man they found.

Califia's directs the griffin trainers to call them off, and the griffins return to roost in the ships.

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Califia's stays awake all night wondering whether to wear royal robes or warrior's armor.

Califia's tells him she will meet him on the field of battle and, if they should live, that she wishes to speak further with him.

Califia's wrote that both Calafia and California most likely came from the Arabic word khalifa which means ruler or leader.

Califia described how they used bows and arrows, and lived in many towns.

The regal central figure shows Califia dressed in proto-Mexican finery, holding a spear in her left hand and examining a gyroscope in her right.

The central character of Queen Califia is presented wearing gold glass armor atop a stylized giant bird.

In 2004, the African American Historical and Cultural Society Museum in San Francisco assembled a Queen Califia exhibit, curated by John William Templeton, featuring works by artists such as TheArthur Wright and James Gayles; artistic interpretations of Calafia.