He took office after the death of the first governor of the province, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés.
[2] Hernando de Miranda was born in San Tirso, a parish of Candamo (Asturias, Spain).
[2] As a young man, he joined the Spanish Navy, where he excelled, reaching the rank of general.
While the peninsula of Florida and neighboring regions were explored and conquered, Miranda was directed to stay in the capital of the colony, St. Augustine.
Miranda imprisoned Velasco and replaced him in the government of Santa Elena with one of his lieutenants, Alonso Solís.