❧How the King Don Joan the second of that name, did send to seeke out by sea and by land the East India, and of the newes that was brought him of the same. Cap. 1.

THIS King Don Ioan the second of that name, & of the Kings of Portin­gale, the thirtéenth, perceiuing that all the Spices, Drugs, Stones, and other riches, which came to Venice, were brought out of a certaine Prouince of the East parte: And as he was a Personage of an hautie stomacke and valiaunt minde, so was he desirous to inlarge his Kingdome, and increase the Christian faith, and therefore he determined to discouer by Sea, the Country, from whence so great plentie of riches came, that thereby his Subiects might be inriched, and his Kingdome of Por­tingale enioy all such commodities as came from thence to Venice. Moreouer, to discouer the same Countrey, he was the rather animated and enclined, for that he was giuen to vnderstand, that in the East India, where Christians, which were gouerned by a King of great power called Praesbiter [Page] Ioan, with whom Don Ioan thought good to haue acquain­taunce, and to know him by his Ambassadors, and the ra­ther for that he was reported to be a Christian Prince: And therefore consulting with the Cosmographers of that time, he gaue them in charge to procéede and goe forwarde by example of others, which had sayled along the Coast of Guynee, which Coast was before that time discouered by commaundement of the Prince his Vnckle,The order of Christ in Portin­gale giuē vnto No­ble men & Gentle­men & to some that are made knights. Master of the Order of Christ, who had sent for that purpose, one Bar­tholome Dyas, one of the Officers of his Storehouse in Lyshborne, who did discouer that great & monstrous Cape, not knowen of our Auncestours, which is now called the Cape of Buena esperansa: And finding there matter of great terrour and daungers, he passed beyond the same, one hundred and fortie leagues, where, comming to a Riuer, which he named Rio del infante, from thence he retourned to Portingale. In this voyage, he gaue to the Ports, Her­bours, and Riuers, where he tooke in fresh water, theyr names, which at this present they doe retaine. Likewise, he erected there certaine markes with Crosses, and with the roiall Armes of Portingale, and the last that he erected, was in a Rocke, the which they named, El pennol de la crus, which standeth fiftéene leagues on this side the foresayde Riuer. And from thence he retourned without hearing any newes, or yet hauing any further intelligence of that India, by reason all the Inhabitaunts along those Coasts bée al­most a sauage and a wilde kinde of people, and of coulour blacke.

This voyage and intelligence, being intimated and reuealed to the King Don Ioan, he foorthwith minded to [...] couer that India by land, albeit before that time he [...] and sent for the same discouerie intended, [...] of the order of Saint Fraunces, called Fryer [...] Lixbona, by land, in the company of a [...] two persons, for want of the Arabian [...] trauaile those parts, so that they went [...] Ierusalem, from whence without [...] of [Page 2] that iourney, they returned into Portingale.

The King neuerthelesse continuing to prosecute to effect his determination for discouerye of that India by lande,Another iorney by lande at­tempted. did therevppon choose two of his owne seruauntes, men of good knowledge, and dilygent in whatsoeuer they were to be imployed, the one called Pedro de Couillian, borne in the saide Village, and the other called Alonso de Payua, borne in the Towne of Castil Blanco, which did verye well vnderstande the language of Arabia, to whome he tolde how that he had made choyce of them, as of per­sons apt to execute his pretence, which was to disco­uer by lande as well the Countrey of Presbiter Ioan, as also that, from whence the Drugges and Spices come to Venice: Giuing them in charge, and that ear­nestlye to make dilygent enquirye; and gather certaine knowledge whether that from the Cape of Buena Espe­ransa forwarde there were anye Nauigation to the East India, and that they shoulde set downe all thinges they founde necessarye to bée knowen, or that they coulde by anye possible meane learne or gather of the same for certaintye: Commaunding also a Sea Carde to bée giuen them, which was taken out of a Ma [...]pe of the whole worlde, by a Maister of Arte, called Calsadilla, Bishoppe of Vyseu, who was a good Astro­nomer.

Moreouer, hée gaue them a Letter of credite, where­by they might bée succoured and protected from, and in, daungers of death, and in cases of necessitie and want of money, in whatsoeuer Kingdomes and Countreyes theyr happe shoulde be to trauayle. And for theyr char­ges, hée commaunded to giue them foure hundreth Crownes out of the Chest of the Orcherd of Almeryn: Of which summe, they tooke as much as they déemed would suffice for theyr expence, vntill they came to Valencia in Aragon, putting the residue in the Ba [...]cke of Bartelme Florentine to be deliuered them there: and so he gaue them the blessing of God and his, in the presence of the King [Page] Don Manuel, who at that time was Duke of Vesa.

After this they departed from the Village of Santaren the seauenth day of May, in the yeare of our Lord, a thou­sand foure hundred foure score and seauen, and came to Na­ples vpon Saint Iohns daye the same yeare, from whence they were set forward on their way, by Cosmo de Medicis sonnes, and so went they from thence to the Rhoodes, of which Religion, wer then none other but Portingales. And from the Rhoodes they went to Alexandria, from thence to the Cayro, as Merchaunts, and from thence in the com­panie of certaine Moores of Feez, and Tremencen, they came to Toro, which is a place that hath his harbour in the Straights of the red Sea in the Coast of Arabia, at the foote of the Mountaine Sinay, where they vnderstood mainie matters of the Indias, and of the trade those places had out of the Straightes to Calicut: and therevpon they trauailed to another place in the selfe same Sraightes of the Redde Sea, ouer the Coaste of Aethiopia, from whence they went to Edin: And for that it was out of the waye to the Indies, they parted companye and seuered themselues: Alonso de Payua remained to go ouer by land to the Emperour of Aethiopia, Presbiter Ioan by errour, is the verye Emperour of Aethi­opia. which is he, whom we be­fore haue named vpon errour Presbiter Ioan: for the cer­taintie is, this is he of whom Marco Paulo maketh menti­on in his booke, who gouerneth all the Indies, and whose Countrey ioyneth vnto the great Cam of Catayo, where in a battaile betwéene them fought, the saide Prester Ioan was vanquished and dyed. And so thencefoorth finally en­ded his Kingdome, so that in these dayes, there is in trueth none of that name or race that raigneth or gouerneth. It is to be vnderstoode, that Alonso de payua did verely be­léeue, that this Emperour of Aethiopia, was this suppo­sed Presbiter Ioan, by reason he was informed and had intelligence that the same Emperour was a Chri­stian, and the People of his Kingdome were also Christians, as héereafter I shall declare, when occasion shall serue.

[Page 3] For which cause, I am in opinion, y^• Alonso did depart to­wards his Court, taking order and determining with Pe­dro de Couillian, that at a time appointed they shuld méet in the great Cayro: This conference and determination betwéene them so had and accorded vpon, Pedro de Couil­lian went towards the Indies in a shippe of the Moores of Cananor, and béeing come to the Indies, he went to the towne of Calicut, and to the Ilands of Goa, where hée ga­thered perfect information & intelligence of the spices which they haue in the Indies, and of the commodities which come from other places, and of the lyke sorte of Townes which were ther in the Indies, of all which he set downe the names in the Card he carried with him, albeit ill written. And after he had séene those places, he went to Sofala, where he gathered knowledge of the great Iland of San Lauren­so, which the Moores doe call La ysla de la Luna: And sée­ing the people of Sofala, to be blacke as those of Guynee are, he therevpon surmised that all that coast was subdued, and that they might goe by Sea to the Indias, and there­fore returning thence, he went to Ormuse, and so to Cay­ro, where hée vnderstoode that Alonso de Payua was dead: And béeing desirous to returne to Portingale, by chaunce hée mette with two Iewes of Spaine, the one cal­led Raby Abraham, borne in Vesa, the other Ioseph, borne in Lamego: These after the departure of Pedro Co­uillian and Alonso de Payua, from Portingale, tolde the King Don Ioan, that they had béene in the Cayro, & vnder­stoode there much newes of Ormuse, and of theyr tract had with and into the Indies: Wherevpon the King sent let­ters by Raby Abraham to Pedro Couillian, and to Alon­so de Payua, declaring that his pleasure was, they shoulde retourne in the companie of those Iewes, if they had séene all those thinges, whereof hée gaue them charge and commaundement, at their departure: if not, that then they shoulde sende by those Iewes a declaration, and true re­porte what they had séene, and had intelligence of: And moreouer that they shoulde procure to atteine to the sight [Page] of Presbiter Ioan, and also shewe and informe what they coulde concerning Ormuse to Raby Abraham for that hée had sworne by his lawe neuer to retourne to Portingale, vnlesse hée first sawe the same: Vppon receipte of which letters and message, Pedro de Couillian his purpose of re­tourning to Portingale was then stayed: And therefore he forthwith dispatched Ioseph with letters to the King, his Lorde and Maister, wherein hée related and fully declared in euery respect what hée had séene in the Indias, and of So­fala: and lykewise hée sent the Carde in which all the Townes names were put downe, that hée had séene: In­forming also the King Don Ioan, that the Emperour of Aethiopia is hée who is supposed to bée y^e Presbiter Ioan: But I am of opinion, that in Portingale remaineth this name of Emperour of Aethiopia, for that in his kingdome hée is not called by the name of Prester Ioan, as I will heereafter declare: When Ioseph was departed, Pedro de Couillian, with Raby Abraham, went towards Ormuse, and thence to the straights of the red sea, and hauing shew­ed to the same Raby those places and scituation therof, Pe­dro Couillian then sent him to Portingale, with letters to the king, importing what hée shewed him, and how that hée himselfe was determined to make his voyage to Presbiter Ioan, and after this pursuing that his intent accordinglye, he came to the presence of y^e Emperour, that then ther reig­ned and gouerned, whose name was Alexander, of whome hée was verye well receiued,The king of Portingales let­ters deli­uered to the Emperour of Aethiopia and when hée had presented vnto him the letters of the king Don Ioan, he accepted the same verye ioyfully, in that they came from a Christi­an Prince so farre distaunt from his Countrie: Howbeit hée gaue to the same little credite, and yet neuerthelesse hée gaue vnto Pedro de Couillian, great honour and gifts: and when hée was in readynesse to departe thence, and expec­ted lisence for the same, which hée had requested, and should haue béene graunted him, the Emperour then deceased: af­ter whome succéeded in the Empire another named Nahu, hée coulde not by him bée lycensed to depart thence, neither [Page 4] yet of his sonne Dauid, who was Emperour also, and succéeded Nahu: so that Pedro de Couillian, remayned in that Countrie, and neuer after returned into Portingale, neyther yet the King Don Ioan euer hearde or vnderstoode more of him, and therefore supposed him to bée dead. One­ly there remaineth the information of his trauailes, which hée had sette downe and written in the letters which the Iewes carryed: After this came to Lishborne a Frier out of the Countrie of Presbiter Ioan, to whome the king shew­ed great curtesie, and vpon whose reporte, and great relati­on made of that countrie, the king then determined to pro­céede in, and follow the discouering of the Indias by Sea, and therefore hée commaunded two little Shippes to bée made, committing the charge of that preparation, and ap­pointing for ouerséer or surueiour of the Timber then cut for that purpose, one Ioan de Braganca his seruaunt borne in the woodes, in a village called Daluor, and was brought to Lishborne to the house of the Myna, in the yeare of our Lord a thousande foure hundred nintie fiue, the fiue and twentie daye of October in the same yeare: and afterward did succéede in that Kingdome, the most high king of glori­ous memorye Don Manuel, by whome also it appeared that he was there elected by diuine prouidence for discouery of those Countries and Prouinces, whereby the Christian faith is so greatly increased and inlarged, & the róyall house of Portingale so mightely honoured, and the subiectes of the same so plenteously enriched.

¶How King Don Manuel the first of that name, prepared after the decease of King Don Ioan, to discouer the Indias by one Vasco de la Gama, and by other Captaines, and howe they departed from Lyshborne. Chap. 2.

[Page] THE King Don Ioan béeing dead, Don Manuel then succéeded him, in whome ap­peared a higher stomacke, and more valy­auntnesse of minde (for atteining of things impreagnable & making triall, and executing matters that passed common capacitie of man, and aboue the retch of naturall knowledge) then was in Alexander the greate. Don Manuel now come to the crowne, and earnestly minded & bent to prosecute that which his predecessour Don Ioan had begun, for discouering of the Indias, and being therein greatly furthered by such matter, order, and intelligence, as he found, and were left by the late king for Nauigation to those farre countries: he then com­maunded that Fernan Lorenso, Treasurer of the house of the Myna, should cause to be made and prepared of the tim­ber which was bought in king Iohns time, two shippes, wherevnto after they were finished, he gaue the names, to the one, the Angel Gabriel, being of an hundred and twen­tie tunne: and to the other Saint Raphael, a shippe of one hundred tunne. And to goe in the companie of these ships, the King then bought of a Pilot that was borne in Lagus, called Berrio, a Caruell of fiftie tunne, which had and bare the selfe name of the Pilot: Moreouer he bought a ship of two hundred tunne, of one Ayres Correa. These Shippes thus made readie and prepared, and the king then being in Monte mayor the new, with his first wife the Quéene, Dō ­na Izabel, in the yeare a thousand foure hundreth nintie se­uen, he then gaue the chiefe Captaine shippe of this voyage vnto the Indias to Vasco de la Gama his seruaunt, who al­so before was seruaunt to Don Ioan, & borne in the towne of Synis, a harbour towne in the fields of Dorricke. The same was a man experimented in matters of the Sea, and of Nauigation, wherein he had done to this kingdome great seruice. And forasmuch as he was a man of greate courage and valure, and therefore very apt and likely to atteine and atchieue the end, y^• was by the king desired, the king then ac­cordingly in presēce of many noble personages, to his great [Page 5] praise, and no lesse incouragement, commaunded him, when he gaue him the charge of that iourney, earnestly also requi­ring him, to aunswere and satisfie the expectation and credit he had conceiued of him and reposed in him, which if he did, he would then very largely reward that his indeauour, and trauell, and so liberally deale towardes him, as he shoulde finde himselfe satisfied for that his dilligence and seruice im­ployed: and for some proofe of those princely and louing speaches, he then beganne to make performaunce of parte thereof, at that verye instant, giuing him an Encom­menda, with money to put himselfe in a readinesse for that voiage: And for to goe with him, the king also dispatched one Paulo de la Gama, brother to the Captaine Generall, and one Nicholas Coello, both of them the kings seruants, and men méete and apt for whatsoeuer matter of enterprise or cause of valiauntnesse: Moreouer he appointed one Bar­tholome Dyas, to goe with them in a Caruell to the My­na: And for that in the ships of warre, sufficient victualls for the people in the same, could not be carried further then to a place called Saint Blaze, where they must of course take in fresh water, the king gaue commaundement that the shippe of Ayres Correa should goe loaden with victuals vn­to that place in the companie of the Fléet, and there to take out the same, and then to burne the said Ship. The Cap­taine Generall thus informed, and dispatched, departed with the other Captaines from the Kings court, towardes Lish­borne, The number of per­sōs in this voyage. where the ships being in a readinesse, he imbarked his companie, béeing one hundred fortie and eight persons, in Belen, one league from Lishborne, vpon the Saturday being the eight day of Iulye, in the yeare of our Lorde God, a thousand foure hundred nintie and seauen. At which imbar­king all the religious men of our Ladie Church in Belen, which is a Monestrarie of Saint Hierome, went in Proces­sion bare footed, and in their cowles with waxe Candles in their hands praieng, and the most part of the people of Lish­borne with them, al of them wéeping and pitieng those that so imbarked themselues, supposing they shuld all die in that [Page] so aduentrous and daungerous voiage, as in déede the p re­sumption and common opinion thereof was greate, and no lesse to be adiudged of The Generall and other his Cap­taines with their people so imbarked; and by the multitude and companie then present, commended to God and good for­tune, they forthwith made saile and departed: The Captaine Generall went in the Ship called Saint Gabriel, hauing Pilot for y^e same, one Pedro de Alanquer, which was Pilot with Bartholome Dyas, when he went to discouer y^e riuer called El ryo del ynfante: The brother of the Captaine ge­nerall, went in the ship called S. Raphael: Nicholas Coel­lo went in the Caruell Berrio, & one Gonsalo Gomes, ser­uaunt to the Captaine generall, went for Captaine of the ship that carried their victuals. Thus being set forward and vnder saile, the Captaine generall commaunded, that if by any happe whatsoeuer, they should bée seuered and loose each other, they shuld euery one make, and kéepe, their roote or course to Cabo Verde, where they would ioyne them­selues together againe. And so following their voiage, they came within eight dayes after to the sight of the Ilandes of the Canaries, from whence going ouer against the Ri­uer called Ryo de Oro, the night did growe so darke, and such great tempest and storme rose as they lost each other, and therefore they retourned their course towardes Cabo Verde, and Paulo de la Gama, Nicholas Coello, Bartholo­me Dyas, and Gonsalo Gomes, hauing met, and after eight daies failing together, they came to sight of their Captaine Generall, vpon the wednesdaye in the Euening, and salu­ting him with many shot of ordinaunce, and with sound of Trumpets, they spake vnto him, each of them heartely re­ioysing, and thanking God for their safe méeting, and good fortune in this their first brunt of daunger and perill: The next day béeing the twenteth day of Iuly, the Captaine ge­neral with all his Fléet, attained vnto the Ilands of Sancty Ago: wher cōming to anker in y^• play de Santa Maria, they remained there seuen daies, taking in such water as they had néed of, & repairing the yards of their ships and other [Page 6] harmes they had receiued in the storme past. Tewsday be­ing the third day of August, the Captaine Generall depar­ted thence, following his course to the East, but first before his departure he tooke his leaue of Bartholome Dyas, Bartholo­me Dyas returneth into Por­tingale who returned into Portingale: And going towarde the Cape of Buena Esperansa, with all the ships of his companie, hée entered the goulfe into the Sea, and from thence sailed all August, September, and October, in which time they sustei­ned many and great tempests, or rather torments of out­ragious windes and raine, so that they expected nothing but present death, which still was represented before them by view of the manifolde daungers and perills, they presently then sawe, and whereof they were forced to abide the euen­ture: Béeing thus perplexed, God of his diuine goodnesse recomforted them, for vpon the saturdaye, being the fourth day of Nouember at nine of the clocke in the fore-noone, they sawe land, whereat they greatly reioysed, and all the Captaines béeing together, they then saluted the Generall, all of them apparelled in their best araie, and hauing decked and garnished their shippes with Flagges accordingly, they drew néere the land as the generall had commaunded, who was desirous to haue landed: Howbeit for that they did not know the land, he commaunded them to cast about a sea boord, and so they passed along by the same vntill tews­daie following, at what time they came to perfect viewe and sight of the land, perceiuing the same to lye lowe, and that there was a great bay, which as it was a conuenient place for the ships, so he commanded them to fall to an an­ker there, of purpose to take in water: And afterward they named it the Iland of Sancta Haelena. Description of the people & manners of Saint Helens Iland. The people of the countrie within the said Iland, as our men afterward found the same: bée lyttle men, ill fauoured in the face, and of co­lour blacke: and when they did speake, it was in such manner as though they did alwayes sigh, theyr apparell is of beastes skinnes made after the manner of the French Cloakes, they truste vp and hide theyr members in cer­teine Cases made of woode verye well wrought.

[Page] They haue for armes or weapons certaine staues of an Oke trée bathed or toasted with fire, at the endes whereof are hornes of beasts, somwhat burnt or hardened with fire, also seruing them for swoords, and wherewith they do hurt their enimie. These people doe mainteine themselues with rootes of hearbes, with Sea Woulfes, and Whale fish, of which the countrie there hath great plentie, and likewise of sea crowes, and sea mewes: Also they doe eate of beastes, which they call Gazelas, and of doues, and other beasts and birds which they haue in the land: They kéepe also dogs as those ben of Portingale, barking after the same manner: The Generall thus lyeng at Anker, commaunded to goe rounde about the Ilande, to sée if there were anie riuer of swéete water, and finding none, he then sent Nicholas Coello in his boate along the coast to séeke out water, which he found fowre leagues of from thence, the which he named Sancty Ago, from whence the whole Fléete prouided themselues of fresh water. The next day the Generall and the other Cap­taines, and some of their companie went a shore, intending to sée and view what manner of people they were, that in­habited that countrie or land, and whether they coulde in­forme him how farre from thence the Cape of Buena Es­peransa was, which he knew not, neither was the head or chiefe Pilot of that voyage of any certeintie which it was, for that in the voyage, wherein hée went before with Bar­tholome Dyas, he departed in the morning from the Cape into the Sea, and past the same in the night, with a fore­winde, and at his first going, came not néere the Shore: By reason wherof he did not know the land, notwithstan­ding, hée coniectured and déemed it not aboue thirtie leagues distaunt from thence at the vttermost: The Generall being disimbarked and come to land, and walking there he ouer­tooke a man, one of the inhabitaunts of the same, who was going to gather honny at the foote of a bush, where the Bées made the same without anie hiue, with this man, y^e general returned vnto his ship, right well contented, thinking he had gotten by him an interpreter, but it happened not so for ther [Page 7] was not any of that company could vnderstand him: The Generall commaunded to giue him meate, and he did both eate and drinke of all that was giuen him, and when they saw he vnderstood none of their languages, nor any of them had any vnderstanding of his, he was the next daye set vp­pon the shore well apparelled, from whence he went as it appeared, amongst others his countrey men, for that y^• next day then following, (vpon shew of himselfe to them) there came about the number of fiftéene of his Countrey men, where our ships were: At sight of which the Captaine ge­nerall went to lande, carrieng with him Spice, Golde, and Pearle, to make triall, whether those people had any know­ledge of the same, or of any part thereof: but by the lyttle estimation they seemed to make of those things, it appeared they had no knowledge of the same. Then they gaue them bells, little rings of tinne, and counters, and of these things they wer very glad, and from thence forward vnto the next Saterday following, very many of them repayred to our Fléete, and those people so returning to their Townes, one of our men desirous to sée the same, and to viewe the order and manner of their liues, craued then licence of the Gene­rall to goe with them, whose petition, albeit he was verye vnwilling to condescend vnto, yet vanquished by importu­nitie, he graunted the same. Fernan Veloso (for so was his name that was licensed) then going in their company, they tooke a Sea Woulfe, which they rosted at the foote of a hill, and supped altogethers:Treason by these men ima­gined a­gainst ours. after which it then appeared, that they of that Countrey had armed themselues, and prac­tised treason against our men: for so soone as they had sup­ped, they caused Fernan Veloso, to returne to our Fléete a­gaine, which was hard by, and when he was departed from them, they followed and came after him a little and a lit­tle, the manner whereof, Fernan espieng & fearing, he there­fore hasted to the water side, and hailed to our ships: The Generall then being at supper, and hearing that call, and loo­king out to landward, sawe those sauage people comming after him, and presently imagined they meant him harme, [Page] and therefore foorthwith he commaunded the whole Fléete to put themselues in battaile araye, and he himselfe with certaine others, went to landward without anye weapons, déeming verely that those blacke men meant him no harme, nor would offer anye force: and indéede when they sawe our boates comming to the shoreward, they began to runne away, with a great clamour and outcrie, and so did manye others also which lay secretly hidden amongst certeine bush­es there, which policie they vsed to traine our men the ra­ther to lande, for when ours were disimbarked and lan­ded, they then returned and furiously set vpon them, shooting their darts, and vsing their other weapons in such sort, as they inforced our men to retire to their boates and imbarke themselues, and that in hast, taking with them Fernan Ve­loso, which being done, the Negroes retourned to theyr townes, hauing hurt the Captaine generall & thrée others, who afterward remaining in that road foure dayes, coulde not sée any moe of those people, and therefore could not vse any reuenge, for the damage they had done them.

¶How the Captaine generall doubled the Cape of Bue­na esperansa, and what hapned vntill they passed the Riuer called El Ryo del Infante. Cap. 3.

THE Fléete hauing taken in fresh water and flesh which they néeded, the Generall and the rest then departed thence vpon the Thursday being the sixtéenth daye of No­uember, in the forenoone of the same daye, making their waye into the Sea, with a South southwest winde, and vpon the Saterdaye then next following in the euening, he came within sight of the Cape of Buena esperansa, and for that the winde was contrarye, as being then Southwest, and the Cape lyeng Northeast Southeast, hée made his retourne into the Seawarde, [Page 8] whilest the daye did indure, and when the night came, hée cast about towards the shore, and so in that order he sayled vntill the Wensdaye following, which was the twentith day of Nouember in which time he doubled the Cape: And going along the Coast with a fore winde, he passed with great pleasure of sundry pastimes, and in sounding of the trumpets in all their ships, chiefly hauing their whole con­fidence in God, by whose diuine furtherance, they hoped to finde out, and attaine to that which they sought for: So passing in this sort along that Coast, they sawe vppon the land great store of Cattell, whereof some were large, some small, but all of them were growen and fat: Howbeit ther appeared to them no Townes within this lande, by reason that along those Coasts ther are none scituated: but further within the same, there be Townes and Villages inhabited, the houses whereof are all of earth couered with strawe. The people are of colour somewhat blacke, and be apparai­led as those of the Countrey of Sancta Helena, speaking the selfe same language, and vsing the selfe same sorte of darts, with some other weapons also for their defence, and anoyaunce of their enimie. This Countrey is verye plea­saunt with Trées and Waters, and ioyning to this Cape on the South side, there is a great Harbour, which reach­eth into the Lande sixe leagues, and at the entering it containeth well as much more. The Cape of Buena espe­ransa béeing thus doubled, the Captaine Generall foorth­with vpon the Sundaye after,The vva­tering of S. Blaze which was Saint Katherins day, came to the Watering of Saynt Blaze, which is thrée score leagues beyonde the Cape, béeing a verie great Baye, and passing good for all Windes, except onelye the North winde. The people héere are somewhat blacke of cou­lour, they couer themselues with skinnes, they fight with Dartes of woode tosted or hardened in the fire, and vse for Swoordes, Hornes and Bones of Beastes, and also they vse Stones to defende themselues agaynst theyr Enimies. In this Lande bée manye Ele­phauntes and great, also Oxen manye both large of [Page] stature, and very fat, whereof some haue no hornes: and vpon the fattest and fairest of the same, the people do vse to ride, sadling them with pannells stuffed with the strawe of Rye, as the manner is in Spayne, and vpon the same they put a certaine frame of woode, and so vse it as a saddle to ride vppon, putting through the noses of such of them as they will sell, a péece of woode, of that kinde whereof they make their arrowes. In this Harbour thrée Crossebow shot from the shore,Sea vvolfs most firce & terrible beasts within the Sea, lieth a Rocke, in the which there be many Sea Woulfes, which are as large in bignes as great Beares, they be terrible, hauing great and long téeth, also so wilde and fierce, that they do forcible set vpon men: their skinnes be so hard that no speare can pearce the same, albeit it be forced vpon it with great strength and va­lure: they are like vnto Lions, and their little ones crye like young Goates, there be so many of them in y^• Rocke, that when our men went thether of pleasure one day, they saw of them at that instant, the number of thrée thousand little and great. In this Rocke also be many Stares, which are as great as Duckes, but they doe not flye, by reason they haue no feathers in their wings, and they braye lyke vnto an Asse. The Captaine Generall being come to this Port or Baye, and lieng at Anker there, caused the shippes which carried their victualls, to be discharged thereof, and bestowed the same in the others, commaunding those Ves­sells to be then burned, as it was ordained and commaun­ded by the King in that behalfe. In doing whereof, & other things also which were necessarye and néedfull to be looked vnto, and foreséene, for their more safetie in the rest of their voyage, they remained ten dayes in that place, where, vpon the Friday next after the Captaine generall and the rest had ariued, ther appeared vnto them, about the number of foure score and ten men of that Countrey, some along vppon the landes, and some vpon the top of their Mountaines, which when the Generall sawe, he and other the Captaines went to the shore ward, and all the company of the shippes went armed in their boates, carrieng ordinaunce with them, as [Page 9] fearing the lyke chaunce y^• happened to them in the Ilande of Sancta Helena, the Boates then drawing neere to the shore, the Generall threw on lande little belles, which the Negroes tooke vp, and some of them came so neere vnto him, that he gaue them the bells into their owne handes, whereat he wonderfully meruailed, for that Bartholome Dyas had informed before, that when he was there, they did run away, and wold not be allured to come so néere view. The Generall therfore finding & perceiuing contrary to his expectation, the gentlenesse of those blacke people, hée then leapt out on lande with his men, making exchaunge of cer­taine red night caps with the Negroes for Bracelets of I­uory which they had, and so for that time departed. The Saterday next after came to the number of two hundreth blacke men: and more, some little, some great, bringing with them twelue Oxen and foure shéepe, and as our men went on shore, they began to play vpon foure Flutes according­ly with foure sundry voyces, the Musicke whereof sounded very well, which the Generall hearing, commaunded the trumpets to sound, and so they daunced with our men. In this pastime and feasting, and in buying their Oxen and shéepe, that daye passed ouer, and in the selfe same sort, vpon the Sunday following, [...]un [...]ry of the same, and many moe with them as well men as women, came againe bringing with them many Kine, and hauing solde one Oxe, our men saw certaine little Nigroes, which were hidden in certayne bushes, who had with them the weapons of the greater sort of men: wherein our men coniectured, that some trea­son was ment to them, and therfore the Generall comman­ded our people to retire to another place, which was of more securitie, and those blacke men went all along the shore directlye against our boates, vntill they came to the place where ours disimbarked themselues, and went vppon the lande in armour. The Nigroes then ioyned themselues as though they intended to fight, which the Generall per­ceiuing, and not wilyng to doe them anye harme, did then retyre, imbarking himselfe, and for to feare them, comman­ded [Page] two brasse péeces of Ordinaunce to be shot off, where­at they were amazed,The little Nigroes made more a­feard then hurt and ranne away without any order, leauing their weapons behinde them. After this, the Cap­taine generall, caused to be carried on the shore, a certaine marke or Piller, with the King of Portingales Armes, and a Crosse, which being there set and erected, the Nigroes pul­led downe the same our men yet being there. These dayes thus passed ouer, the Captaine generall with the rest of the Fléete departed thence towards the Riuer called, Ryo del infante, vpon the Friday being the eight day of Nouember, which was the Feast daye of the conception of our Lady, and in sailing forward on their voyage, ther arose so great a storme with a forewinde, vpon the daye of Saint Luke, that our whole Fléete did runne with there small sayles, and that also verye low. In this course they lost the com­pany of Nicholas Coello, howbeit the next night after they all met, and ioyned together againe. Now hauing past and sailed through this great storm, or rather torment of wind, which then was ceased, the Captaine Generall, vppon the sixtéenth daye of December did discouer lande, which were certaine small Rockes, being distaunt from the Harbour of Saint Blaze thréescore leagues, and fiue leagues also from the other part of the Rocke called De la cruze, where Bar­tholome Dyas did erect his last marke: from which place to the Riuer Del Infante are fiftéene leagues. This Coun­trey is very pleasant and sightly in viewe, and in the same is great store of Cattell, and the further our Fléete sayled on that Coast, the better and higher the Trées were, all which things our men might well perceiue and discerne, by reason they went so néere the shore with their ships. And vpon the Saterday they past hard by, and within sight of the Rocke De la cruze, and for that they were then come so far forward as the Riuer Del infante, they were loath to passe the same, and thereof taking counsell all the next night, they went somewhat wide from the Coast, with a fore­winde, vntill Euensong time, and then the Winde came to the East, which was right against them, wherefore the [Page 10] Captaine generall made to Seawarde, going in such sort, as sometime he kept the Sea, and sometime droue to­wards the lande, vntill the Tuesday being the twentith of December, at the setting of the Sunne, the winde then com­ming to the West, which was a forewinde, and whether to attayne to haue knowledge of the Lande they consulted all that night, which were best to doe. The next daye at tenne of the Clocke in the fore noone, they came to the Rocke aforesayde, which is thrée score leagues a stearne the place, wherevnto they minded to goe.

This Rocke, is the cause of the great Currents that are there, and the selfe same daye the Fléete through pas­sed the same Course, with a great forewinde, which had also indured them thrée or foure dayes, and wherewith they ranne through those Currents, which greatlye they fea­red,They safely passed the dāge­rous cur­rents and were in doubt to haue done. These daungerous Currents, thus safelye and happelye passed without losse or damage, they all were very glad and ioyfull, that theyr good Fortune was to haue passed the same in manner as Bartholome Dyas before that time had accordinglye done. Wherefore the Captaine generall, béeing animated and encouraged with this his great good lucke and Fortune, and after thankes giuen to God for the same, did then saye, that hée verelye beléeued, that it was Gods good will and pleasure that the Indias should be founde.

¶How the Captaine generall came to the Lande, called, La terra de la buena gente, and after went to the Riuer, called, Ryo de las buenas sen­nales: how hee brought theyr shippes on grounde, and of the great sicknesse our people had after they arriued there. Chap. 4.

[Page] THus following their voyage, they perceiued that vpon Christmas daye, they had disco­uered along the Coast, thrée score and t [...]nne leagues to the Eastward, which was the waye he carryed with him in his Register, and wherein the Indias are: And héere the Fléete went along vpon the Sea, without taking land, so farre, that they began to want, and haue lacke of water for to drinke, and were inforced to dresse their meate with salt water, so that no man of that Fléete had then allow­aunce of water to drinke, more then one pinte a day. How­beit vpon the Friday being the eleuenth day of Ianuary, in the yeare of our Lord God. 1498. drawing néere the lande, they went out in their boates along the Coast to take view thereof, and so passing by the same, they saw many Nigroes with a great company of women, all of them of great sta­ture, which went along the Sea side, and when the Captain generall saw and perceiued, that they showed themselues to bée a people, flexible to ciuilitie, and of a quiet dispositi­on, hée commaunded one of our men called Martin Alon­so, who coulde speake manye languages of the Nigroes, and one other with him, to leape out on Lande, and to goe to them, which immediatelye those two persons did: and at theyr comming to the same blacke People, they were of them verye well receyued, and especiallye of the chiefe person or Gouernour of the same, to whome, our Generall viewing his and theyr manner of courtesie,A revvard sent by y^e Generall to a Ni­gro. foorthwith sent a Iacket, a payre of Hose, and a Cappe, beeing all redde, and a Bracelet of Copper, of which things he was very glad, and rendered great thankes to the Generall for the same, saieng: that with a verye good will, hée shoulde haue of gifte, anye thing he would de­sire or had néede off, that was to be had in his Countrey. All which, Martin Alonso, vnderstanding theyr lan­guage tolde to the Generall, who was verye ioyfull that [Page 11] by his interpretation, those people and ours might of each other haue vnderstanding, giuing also at that instant license to y^e same Alonso & one moe of our men to goe with those people for one night to their Towne, at the request of the same gouernour, who verie earnestly required the same. The gouernour then apparelled himselfe with those Gar­ments which the Generall gaue him, and with great plea­sure gaue commaundement to many of his chiefe men to goe before and receiue him when he came to their towne: The people as they went viewed and beheld with greate pleasure and admiration those vestures which our General had giuen him, clapping their hands for ioy thereof, which manner of gladsome reioysing, they vsed thrée or foure times, before they came to their towne: And after their en­traunce therein, they went round about the same, to the end all the people and inhabitants thereof, might sée and behold those giuen garments and straunge arraie: Which béeing done, the gouernour entered into his house where he com­maunded Alonso and his companion to be well lodged, and gaue to them for their supper a Hen euen such as ours bée, and Pap made of Mylyo, which is a kinde of graine of a yeolow coulour, whereof also they make bread: This night repaired many Nigroes to their lodging to sée them: And the next daie after the gouernour sent them to their ships with certaine Nigroes of his loden with hens, for the Cap­taine Generall, who rendered thanks for the same, and re­quired by his interpretour, those Nigroes, to saie vnto their Gouernour, that he now saw and perceiued him to be a no­ble man, or king of that countrie, & forasmuch as the Ge­nerall, and the rest of our men in those fiue daies wherein they had houered vpon and viewed that Coast had no man­ner domage done or offered them: and saw both many qui­et and gentle people there, & also many noble men, he gaue to this land an apt name, calling it, The Land of good people, in the Towne where Martyn Alonso was, theyr houses bée made all of strawe, and verie well furnished within: The owmen be more in number, then the men: [Page] for in the companie of fortie women there are no more but twentie men: They carrie with them long bowes with ar­rowes and darts of yron, and vpon their armes and legges they weare many braceléets of Copper, and some péeces of them in their haires. Also they carrie daggars, the hafts or handles of Pewter, and the sheathes of Iuorie, so that it is manifest, that they haue in that Countrie plentie of copper and tinne: Moreouer they haue great store of Salt, which they make of Salt water, carrieng the same from the Sea side in gourds, and putting it into certeine Caues where they make the Salt: These kinde of people were so gladde of the linnen that our men carried with them, and brought with them thether, that they gaue for one shirt much Cop­per. They also were so quiet amongest our men, that they brought them water to their boates from a riuer which was two Crosbowe shotte from the place where our men tooke in the same, which riuer they call Ryo de Cobio: From this place our Fléete departed the fiftenth daye of Ianuarie,A nevv land discouered of curteous Moores and going vnder saile, did discouer land of an other countrie which lyeth very lowe, wherein were trées verie high and thicke, and so procéeding forward they disco­uered or found a riuer which was verie open at the ente­ring of the same: And for that the Generall thought it ne­cessarie to reknowledge or haue notice of that Countrie, & there to learne whether they might heare anye newes or intelligence of the Indias, hée commaunded to come to an Ankor, which was vpon the Thursday, béeing seauen daies before the end of Ianuarie, and the same night he with his brother Nicholas Coello entered the riuer, and at the daw­ning of the daye, did well perceiue the lande to bée lowe and couered with water, hauing trées of great height, and thicke loaden with sundrie sortes of fruites: Our men then beholding the land, which was verie pleasaunt, they sawe also certeine boates, at that present comming towardes them, with men in the same, whereof the Generall was ve­ry glad, supposing vppon sight of those people and view of their countrie, in that manner, which argued they had some [Page 12] knowledge and experience of the Sea, that therefore they were not farre of from the Indias, or at leastwise could not then goe far, but they should heare newes of the same: when the people with their boates came néere to our Fléete, our men perceiued they were all blacke people, of good stature, howbeit all naked, sauing their priuie members, which wer couered, with little péeces of linnen made of Bomebast or Cotten, they came neere and entered into our ships without any feare, and in such sorte vsed themselues towardes our men, as though they had ben of long acquaintance and fa­miliaritie with them: They were very well receiued of our people of the Fléet, the Captaine Generall commanded the same, and also that there shuld be giuen vnto them certeine little Bels & other things, & he talked with them by signes, for they did not vnderstand any of Martin Alonso his lan­guages, nor any other interpretour y^t our men thē had: After this their good interteinment they departed, and as it séemed well liking of the same, they and many others with them afterward returned in their boates to our ships, bringing vnto them such victuals as their countrie yéeldeth: They in appearance shewed themselues verie well contented with our men, & as they came by water, so also did many others of those people repaire thether by land, & amongst them wo­men of indifferent good beautie, especially y^• young maides, which goe after the same sort, that the men doe: They haue in their lips thrée holes, and in euery hole a péece of tinne, which they estéeme as a thing very gallant and gaye: They tooke with them certeine of our men to make merrie at a countrie towne there néere hand, and where they fet water for our ships. And after the thrée daies space that our Ge­nerall was in that riuer,Tke curtesie & apparel of the noble mē of this Countrie. there came of curtesie two noble men of that countrie to visit him in their boates, whose ap­parell was none other, then of the rest, sauing the péeces of lynnen wherewith they couered their members, were farre greater, then those the common sorte vsed, and one of them ware vpon his head a tucke or kerchiefe wrought with silke, and the other had a night cap of gréene Satten. [Page] The Captaine Generall séeing those men somewhat addicted to cleanlinesse was verie glad thereof, receiued them in curteous manner, and commaunded to giue them meate, and moreouer he gaue them apparell and certeine other things, but it appeared by their countinaunces they smal­lye or nothing at all estéemed thereof: Howbeit while they remained in our Shippes, the Generall perceiued by tokens and signes which a young man that came with them then shewed, that their countrie was farre of thence, and that they had séene as great ships as ours were, wher­of he greatly reioysed, and all our people in like manner as then verely hoping and thereby coniecturing, that the Indi­as were néere to that place: which their hope and coniec­ture, was also farre the more augmented and confirmed, for that after those noble men were gone to shore, they sent to the Fléete, certeine linnen cloth to sell, which was made of Cotten, vpon which also were certeine marks of Okar, in respect of which good newes, and intelligence héere found, and likely to ensue, the Captaine Generall gaue to this ri­uer a name, calling it, The Riuer of the good tokens or marks, and caused there a marke to be erected, calling the same San Raphael, according with the name of the shippe wherein hée was, and went that voyage. And forasmuch as he perceiued by the signes of the young man, that those no­ble men inhabited a Countrie farre thence, and that they had séene shippes as greate as ours, hée thereby and vppon other coniectures gathered, that their Countrie was néere to the Indias, and so consequently that the Indias was farre of from that riuer where our ships then lay: wherefore consul­ting héereof, it was by him and the other Captaines then determined vpon, that all the shippes should be brought on ground, which determination was executed accordinglye, & the same ships repaired, dressed, and trimmed in all points néedfull and necessarie: In dooing whereof they spent and passed ouer two and thirtie daies,This sicknes is cal­led the Scurfe in which time our men susteined and passed ouer great troubles and tormentes of minde, by occasion of a sicknesse there happened amongest [Page 13] them, which was thought to growe by meanes of the aire of that countrie, for that the hands and féete of so many of them, and also their gums in such sorte did swell, that they could not eate, and the same so rotted, that the stinke which came out of their mouthes was so great and pestiferous, that none could abide the sauour therof, with this pestilent infection & sicknes our men were greatly discomfited, & ma­ny of them dyed thereof, which also put the rest of the com­panie in greate feare and perplexitie of minde: Yea, and further would haue increased and aggrauated their griefes of bodye and sorrowes of minde, were it not that one De Gama a man of good nature and condition had taken spe­ciall care and vsed greate dilligence, for the recouerye of their healths, and putting them in comfort: who continu­ally visited the sicke, and liberally departed vnto them such wholesome and medicinable things, as for his owne bodye hée had prouided, and carried with him, through whose good counsell giuen, great pains taken, and franke distribution of that he had, many of our men were recouerd, which would otherwise haue died, and all the rest thereby were greatly recomforted.

¶How the Captaine Generall with all his Fleete, came to the Iland of Monsambicke. Chap. 5.

THe Fléet béeing furnished and prouided of all things necessarie, the Captaine Gene­rall then mindfull of his voyage, departed thence, vpon the Saturday, béeing the 24. day of Februarie,three smal Ilands discouered not vvorth the ente­ring. and the same day, and al the night following, for that he was incal­med and to auoide the shore, made way into the sea: and vp­pon Sunday by Euensong time, our men discried thrée I­lands a Seaboord, all of them being but little or small, they were distant one from another foure leagues: Two of them were replenished with great woords, & the third was plaine, to arriue to these Ilands the Generall was not willing, for [Page] that he sawe or coniectured no cause to occasion the same, & therefore he still kept the sea, staieng & comming to an ankor alwaies as the night approched, which manner of course & order he vsed and continued the space of sixe daies: And vp­pon the thursday being the first day of March towards eue­ning, our men came within sight of foure Ilands, whereof two were néere the shore, and the other two a Seaboord, & for that they would not that night fall with them, they stil kept the Sea, minding to passe betwéene them, as indéede they did: Wherevpon the Captaine Generall determined & commaunded that Nicholas Coello, by reason his ship was lesse then the others, shuld go first, & so going vpon the fri­day within a certein harbour, which was betwéene y^e maine land & one of the Ilands, the said Nicholas missed y^e chan­nell, and ranne on ground, which daunger when our other ships sawe comming after, they did cast then about, & went backe, and as they were returned, they perceiued comming out of that Iland, seauen or eight little boates vnder saile, béeing distant from Nicholas Coello a good league: At sight of those boates comming towards them, Nicholas Coello and those which were with him tooke great pleasure, & for ioye gaue a great crye, and at their repaire to them Coello and they went to the General and saluted him, to whom the same Coello sayd: How say you sir, héere is an other kinde of people: wherevnto the Generall answered, that hée was very glad of that good Fortune, and therewith commanded to let them go a Seaboord with their boates, for that his meaning was to beare with them to that Ilande from whence they came, and there to come to an Ankor, of pur­pose to vnderstand what land that was, & whether amongest those people, he might heare or haue anye newes or cer­teine intelligence of the Indias: yet notwithstanding y^e gene­rals cōmandement, they in their boats followed our ships, alwaies making signes and calling to our men, therein to stay and tarrie for them, wherefore the Captaine Generall, with the other Captaines came to an Ankor, and so they in their boates approched néere, and came to our Fléete: And [Page 14] then by view of their persons it appeared they were men of a good stature and somewhat blacke. They were apparelled in linnen cloth of Cotten, welted with sundry colours, some girdeled vnto their knées, and others carried the same vpon their shoulders as cloaks, and vpon their heads they weare a certeine kinde of tucks or kerchiefe somewhat wrought with silke and gold thrid. They haue swoords and daggers as the Moores doe vse them, in their boates they brought with them their instruments called Sagbuts. These men being thus come to our ships, they forthwith came a boord the same with great opinion of assuraunce, euen as though they had knowne our men a long time, and immediatlye began to be conuersant, and very familiar with them, vsing their speaches which they vttered in the language of Alga­rauia, and would not be knowne they were Moores: The Generall commaunded to giue them meate, & they did both eate and drinke with a good wil, of whatsoeuer was giuen them: And béeing asked at commaundement of the General by one Fernan Aluares (who could speake y^t language) what land that was, they answered that it apperteined to a great king which was before,The Iland of Monsā bick, vvith the tovvn of Mer­chandise. & how that Iland was called Mō ­sambicke, and the towne there full of Merchantes, which haue traficke with the Moores of the Indias, who bring the­ther siluer, linnen cloth, pepper, ginger, siluer ringes, many pearles, and rubie stones, and that out of another Countrie, which remained behinde, they doe bring them golde: De­claring further that if our men would enter into the Har­bour there, they would bring them thether, and they shuld perceiue and sée the truth, and more at large, touching those thinges they then gaue information of: The Gene­rall hearing this, entered into counsell with the other Cap­taines, debating the matter thereof, and argued whether it were good to enter the Harbour, and sée if those things were of truth, which those Moores had imparted to them, and also there to take some Pilottes to carrye them further, since they were nowe destitute of such: Vppon which consultation, it was there determined, [Page] that Nicholas Coello shuld first make an assay & proofe for enterance and sounding of the barre, by reason his ship was the least of the Fléete: which accordingly he forthwith did. And so going to enter he went and touched the point of the Iland, and therewith brake his helme, howbeit through God his goodnesse, he perished not there although he was in great daunger and hasard thereof, for as he went vpon the point vnwares, so with quicke spéede and good fortune he gote of the same: Neuerthelesse he perceiued and found y^• the barre was good to enter, and therfore he came to an an­ker, two crosbow shot from the towne scituated in that I­land, which is in fiftéene degrées towards y^• South, it hath a very good harbour, and also great plentie of the victuals of that countrie, the houses of that towne be made of strawe, and the dwellers therein are Moores, which trade to Sofala in great ships,Cayro is the caske orrind of a nut they haue in y^• India called Ca­co, and vvith the same these ropes are made that haue no decks nor nailes, but are sowed with Cayro, and their sailes are of mats made of the leafe of a palme trée: some of them doe carrie with them compas­ses of Geane by which they doe gouerne, & they be square, they haue also Seacards: with these Moores, the Moores of Indias haue traficke, and with those from the red sea, by reason of the golde they haue there.

When they sawe our men, they supposed them to bée Turks, by reason of the knowledge they had of the Turks countrie, through intelligence of the Moores which dwel in the red sea, they which were first in our ships went & tolde their Xeque (for so they call him alwaies that is gouernour of the towne) which was there for the king of Quiloa, vn­der whose obeisance this Iland was.

¶How the Captaine Generall entered into the harbour of Monsambicke, and how the gouernour there, came to visit him at his ships, making peace with him, and gaue him two Pilottes to carry him to Calicut, verely supposing our people to be Turkes. Chap. 6.

[Page 15] THe Xeque or Gouernor hauing knowledge of our comming, and that Nicholas Coello was come to an Anker in the Harbour, he verelye beléeued that they were Turkes or Moores of some other place, and therfore foorthwith he came and visited him in his ships, accompanied with many apparelled in silke, whome Nicholas Coello receiued with great courtesie: but foras­much as he nor any of his ship could speake their language, the Gouernour tarried not long, howbeit Coello vnder­stoode very well, that the Gouernour déemed them to bée Moores, and therefore he gaue him a red Cappe, whereof hée made no accompt, he gaue him allso certaine blacke beades, which he carried away in his handes, both which were gi­uen and taken for token of assurance betwéene them: and when he should depart from our ship, he required by signes of Nicholas Coello to haue his boat to carrie him to lande, who gladly graunted the same, and sent therewith certaine of our men, which the Gouernour at his returne to lande, carried with him to his house, feasting and banketting them with Dates and other things, and sent by them to Nicho­las Coello: a pot of Dates preserued, wherewith he feasted the Captaine Generall and his brother, after they had ente­red the Harbour.

The Gouernour now perceiuing the rest of our shippes arriued in the Harbour,Our men taken for Turks, by the Mores of Mon­sambicke immediately sent to visite them, be­léeuing they were Turkes, and presented them with many pleasant & delicate meates, demaunding also license to come and visite them himselfe. The Captaine generall retourned for presents to him againe, certaine red hats, short gownes, corrall, basons of brasse, little hawkes bells, and many other things, all which (as the messenger reported, that carryed the same) he nothing estéemed, asking for what purpose those things were good, and demaunding why the Captaine sent him not Scarlet, as the thing which he chiefly desired. Not­withstanding he came and visited the Captaine Generall who hauing knowledge of his comming, commaunded the [Page] ships to put out their flagges, and to toll the same. Like­wise he ordered, that all our sicke and diseased men, shoulde be hid and not come in sight, and that to his shippe shoulde be sent from the rest of the shippes, all those that were not sicke, whom he caused secretly to be put in armour, of pur­pose to be in a readines if the Moores offered anye force, or sought to betraye them.The Go­uernor cō meth a­bootd, & the dis­criptiō of his person and attire This preperation made, the Go­uernour came accompanied with manie men, all very well apparelled in silke, bringing with them many trumpets of Iuorie, and also other instruments, still plaieng vppon the same: he was a man of a good stature and leane, he brought vpon him as it were a shirt of linnen cloath, which came downe to his héeles, and vpon the same, the lyke of veluet of Meca, hauing vpon his head a cappe of silke of many co­lours, and trimmed with golde, at his girdle, he ware a sword and dagger, and vpon his féete shooes of silke. The Captaine generall receiued him at the entrance of the ship, carrieng him from thence, in that part of the ship, where the same was couered ouer and trimmed in the best manner it might then be, and many of his people with him, the rest re­maining that came with him in their beates. The Gouer­nour thus being receiued into the ship, the Generall desired him to take no offence in that he sent to him no Scarlet, since in truth he brought none with him: onely he declared that he had in his ships, but such Merchaundise, as he would giue and bestow for victualls, when his men should want the same: and that he went in this order, only of intent to find out & discouer the Indias, by commandement of a great & mightie King whose seruaunt he was. All which things the Generall tolde him by the mouth of Fernan Martin, who was the Interpretour betwéene them: and then com­maunded to giue them such banketting meates, and wine as were carried in the shippe, whereof he did both eate and drinke verye well, and so in lyke manner did the other, who came with him, all which were likewise feasted. And as the Gouernour remayned after this, a very friend to the Generall, so also did his people make much, and ex­tende [Page 16] great frindship to our men. He asked of our Ge­nerall, whether they came from the Turkes Countrey, for that as he had heard saye, the people of the same are white as ours were, requesting also to haue a sight of their Countrey bowes, and of the bookes of theyr Lawes: Wherevnto our Generall aunswered, that hée and his Companye were not of the Turkes Countrey, but that they were of a great Kingdome, which confined vppon the same, and as touching theyr bowes and weaponnes, hée shoulde with verye good will sée them: But as for the Bookes of theyr Lawes, they had none there with them, for to carrye the same, were to no purpose, since vp­pon the Sea, they néeded not the vse thereof. Then were brought before him certaine Crossebowes, which al­so in his presence were bent and shot off, whereat hée greatly meruayled. They also produced to sight and viewe of him certaine harnesses or armours, whereat he also mer­uailed much.

By occasion of this méeting and feasting, the Captaine Generall had notice and intellygence, that from thence to Calycut were nine hundred leagues, and that it was verye néedefull and necessarye for him to take a Pilot of this Countrey, to conduct him and his Companye, by reason they shoulde finde manye shoells in theyr Course thether: and also that along the Coast there are manye Cities: Moreouer hée vnderstoode then, that Presbiter Ioan was farre from thence within the Countrey.

Now since it was so expedient to haue a Pilot, the Ge­nerall then requested to haue two such of the Gouernour, who graunted and made promise of the same, vppon condi­tion that our men shoulde well vse and content them: Of these Pilots so promised, our men were glad, for that if one of them shoulde happe to dye, the other yet might remayne and serue theyr purpose, and for that conside­ration, our Generall required a couple. After this time, the Gouernour once more came to visit the General, bring­ing with him both the Pilottes he had made promise of, [Page] to each of which was giuen thirtie Crownes and a coate, euery Crowne worth in money, fiue shillings, with this condition, and from that day forward, that when the one of them would goe to shore, the other should remaine in ship, for that our men would alwaies haue one of them on ship­boord, whilest they remained in Harbour.

¶How the Gouernour of Monsambicke, vnder­standing that our Fleete was neither of the Turkes nor yet Moores, would haue taken and killed them, and how the Captaine generall vn­derstood thereof: and what further than follow­ed. Cap. 7.

THese méetings and speaches thus had, for assuraunce of friendship betwéene them, & the concourse of them being ended, and the Gouernour departed, yet then immediately after appeared, that those Moores hauing had such company and long talke with our men had gathered and come to knowledge that they were Christians,The Moores withdravv ther good wils kno­vving that vve vvere Chtistians wherevpon all former good will and friendship of the Moores, was now couerted into wrath and furie, for they practised meanes to kill our men, and so to take the ships. The Gouernour had thereof consulted and made pro­uision, for execution of their mischeuous enterprise, which had bene likely to haue taken place, and sorted to a sorrow­full hap and euent, had not the Almightie of his diuine good­nesse, moued the heart of one of the Moores, which was re­ceiued for Pilot to discouer the same to the Captaine gene­rall, who fearing least those Infidells should sodainlye in­daunger him and his, for that they were manie in number, and with him were but a small companye, did therefore de­termine to remaine no longer in that harbour. And so vpon the Saterday, being the tenth daye of March, & seuen dayes after his arriuall there, he departed thence, and went with his ships into the Sea, and came to an Ankor harde by an [Page 17] Ilande in the same, which was one league from that of Monsambicke, and this was done, to purpose, that vppon Sunday, they would heare Masse on lande, confe [...] them­selues, and receiue the Sacrament, which since [...] com­ming from Lixborne they had not done. After our shippes wer thus at an Anker, the Captain general then perceiuing the same to be in place of assurance so as the Moores should not burne them, (whereof before he was greatly afrayde) which now by their remooue was preuented and put out of doubt, he then determined to retourne to Monsambicke in his boate, to demaund the other Pilot that remayned on lande at their comming thence: and so leauing his brother with the Fléete in order and readinesse to come and succour him, if he should sée him in daunger, he departed towardes Monsambicke carrieng with him Nicholas Coello in his boate and the other Pilot Moore. Going in this sort, they saw how there came bearing right with his boate, sixe boates with many armed Moores, hauing long bowes & ar­rowes, and also shieldes and speares, who when they sawe our men, beganne then to call vnto them, willing them to come to the harbour of their Towne. The Pilot Moore tolde the Generall what they meant by their signes and tokens they made, and gaue him counsell to retourne the­ther, for that otherwise the Gouernour woulde not delyuer the other Pilot which remained on the shore, at which his speach, the General was very angry, supposing he gaue that counsell, to the ende at their comming néere the shore, hée might escape and runne away, and therefore commaunded him to prison, and caused foorthwith to shoote at theyr boats with their Ordinaunce, which shot when Paulo de la Ga­ma heard, and beléeuing it had bene some further matter of daungers to the General, then the cause thereof was indéed, he immediately came forwarde with the ship called Berrio vnder saile, which when the Nigroes perceiued, they fied, & made away with great hast, and so fast that the Captaine ge­nerall could not ouertake them, & therfore he returned with his brother to the other ships where they lay at Ankor. [Page] The next day the Generall, with all his men went on land, heard Masse, and receiued the Sacrament very deuoutlye, being the night before confessed: which being done, they all went aboord their ships, and made sayle the same day. The Generall perceiuing no hope to remaine for recouerie of the other Pilot, which was on shore in Monsambicke, gaue them commaundement to release him that was in the ship committed to prison, (as before you haue heard, whome they carried with thē on their voyage.The other Moore Pilot in re­uēge practiseth treasō against the fleete This Pilot minded to be reuenged vpon y^• Generall, in stomacke of his impri­sonment, determined to cary thē to y^• Iland Quiloa, which was peopled all with Moores, and as it séemed, meant to in­forme the King of that place, that our shippes were of the Christians, of purpose thereby to occasion him to kill and destroy them all: and therefore subtillie to shaddowe his wicked intent, he willed and perswaded the Captaine ge­nerall, not to trouble himselfe with the want of the other Pilot, for that he would carrie him to a great Iland, which was from thence one hundreth leagues, and inhabited as it were the one halfe by the Moores, and the other by Chri­stians, which alwaies were at wars the one with the other, from whence also he might furnish himselfe with Pilots to carry him to Calycut: But as the Captaine generall had good liking of those speaches, so yet gaue he no great credite to the man, neuerthelesse he did promise him great giftes, if he did carrie him to that Countrey: and so went forward on his voyage with a small winde. The Tuesdaye after, being within sight of lande from whence he departed, hée was incalmed, which did indure Tuesdaye and Wensdaye, the next night after with an Easterly wind being but smal, he made way, and went into the Sea, and vpon Thursday in the morning, founde himselfe and all the Fléete, foure leagues backe behinde Monsambicke, & so going vntill the Euening the same day, came then to an Anker hard to that Iland, where the Sunday next following he heard Masse. The winde thus being contrary to his purpose of Nauiga­tion, he therefore remained in that place eight daies to wait [Page 18] for such gale thereof as would serue to put him forward on his iourney: In which time repaired to our ships a white Moore which was a Minister of the Moores of Mons [...]m­bicke, A vvhite Moore repaireth to our ships. who comming on boord the ship of the Generall, de­clared that the Gouernour of the same Towne greatlye did repent him of the breach of peace & friendship he had made with him, & that he would gladly renew the same againe & confirme it, & so remaine a friend. To whom the Generall returned aunswere by that messenger to this effect, that he would make no peace with the Gouernour, neither would he be his friend, vntill such time as he did send to him his Pilot whom he had hired and payed, with this aunswere, the Minister departed, and neuer came againe. The Cap­taine generall thus staieng still there, and expecting the winde, there came to him after the Minster was gone, a certaine Moore, who brought his Sonne with him being a boye, and asked the Generall whether he woulde carrye them in his ships with him to the Citie of Mylynde, which he should finde in the course he shoulde kéepe towards Ca­lycut: Declaring that he would gladly goe with him, and returne to his Countrey which was néere to Meca, from whence he came as a Pilot, in a ship to Monsambicke, and therewith aduertised the Generall, not to tarry vppon any aunswere, from the Gouernour, who he was assured would make no peace with him, for that he was a Christian. The Captaine was verye gladde of the comming of this Moore, for by him hée déemed, to gather sufficient mat­ter of information and intellygence of the Strayghtes of the Redde Sea, and also of the Townes that lye and be scituated along the Coast, by the which he must sayle to Mylynde, and therefore he commaunded to re­ceyue the same Moore and his Sonne into his Shippe, and by reason it was then somewhat late, and that they had no store of water, the Generall with the other Captaines determined to enter into the Har­bour of Monsambicke, to take in there so much as they néeded, appointing also there shoulde be great watch, for [Page] preuention of the Moores, least that they should by anye de­uice set on fire the ships. Vpon this determination and be­ing prepared accordingly, they procéeded and entered the har­bour on thursday, and when the night was come, they laun­ched out their boates to go with them for water, for the Pi­lot of Monsambicke informed the Generall, that it was within the firme lande, offering to bring him to the same. Wherevpon taking the Pilot with him, he departed about midnight to goe thether, hauing Nicholas Coello in his cō ­pany, and leauing Paulo de la gama in charge of the ships. Being come to the place where the Pilot informed the wa­ter to be, it could not so be found, for he no doubt, went more to make escape and runne awaye, then to perfourme what before he promised, but whether that he was amazed with imagination of escape, and so could not finde it, or that of mallice (since he could not run away) he would not finde it, he caused them to spend that night without attaining the purpose of their repaire thether, wherefore the day light ap­pearing, and séeing they could not finde the water, the Ge­nerall would remaine no longer, hauing but a small compa­ny of men with him ther, and fearing least the Moores wold set vpon him, did therefore determine to goe to his ships, of purpose to fetch more men, and so if néed were to fight with his enimies, knowing also he should farre better finde the water by day then by night. So hauing bene at his ships, and there furnished his boates with more force of men and armour, he retourned to shore ward againe, carrieng with him the Pilot of Monsambicke, and hauing also Nicholas Coello in his companye as before to take in water. And when they drew néere to the same, the Pilot séeing that hée by no meane or deuice coulde runne awaye, did then foorth­with shew them the water, which was harde by the shore side, where also then were in sight the number of twentie Moores skirmishing with their dartes, and showing as though they were appointed there for the purpose and wold defende the water against such as would enterprice to fetch or take any thereof. [Page 19] The manner whereof when our Generall sawe, he caused to be shot off, thrée gunnes to force them to auoide & giue place in that grounde,The Moores runne a­way at the cracke of the ordi­naunce so as our men might leape forth of their boates and land without resistance: The Moores ama­zed & afrighted with cracke and shot of y^e Ordinance, ran away and hid themselues in certein bushes, and so our men quietly landed and tooke in fresh water, and a little before y^e sunne set arriued at their ships, where they found the com­panie there disquieted in minde, for that a Nigroe of Iohn Cambrayes, Pilot to Paulo de la Gama, was that day run away to the Moores, wherof when the General vnderstood, he was very sad and sorrowfull for the same, since he was a Christian: Vppon the griefe and sorrow héereof he remai­ned there Fridaie following: Vpon the Saturday, béeing the xxiiii daye of March, and the euen of the Annunciation of our Lady, early in the morning appeared vpon the shoore side a Moore right ouer against the Fléete, who cried out with alowde and shrill voice, saieng, that if our men wold haue wate, they should nowe come for the same thether, where they should finde such as would inforce them to returne. The Captaine Generall perceiuing how small ac­count they made of him, remembring also the iniury done him in not deliuering the Pilot, and therwith hauing fresh in memorie the losse and running away of the Nigoe, his Pilots seruant, did therevpon grow into some cholar, and so determined to shoote of the ordinaunce of his ships, into the towne of his enimies, thereby to be reuenged vpon the same for the iniuries done him, by the inhabitants thereof, and this his determination, he imparted to his Captaines, who hauing liking of the same, yéelded therevnto, and im­mediatly imbarked themselues in their boates, arming the same with such men as they had, and so comming before the towne, and against the same, there were Moores along the shore, which had made a pale of boords so thicke, that our men could not perceiue who was behinde the same. And betwéene that pale or defence and the sea, vppon the shore there was one hundreth Moores, armed with Targets, [Page] shields, darts, bowes, arrows, & slings, who so soone as our boates came w^tin compasse or reatch of their slings, began to send forth of the same stones at our men, who immediatly answered them again with shot of Ordinance, through meanes whereof they left the wa­ters side, retiring within their impaled defence, which was present­ly after beaten downe with our ordenance, & the enimies running to their towne, left behinde them two of their companie slaine in that place: the defence thus broken downe, and the same all carried away, the Captaine Generall with his men returned to dinner, in which time it was straunge to see howe the Moores ran awaie by land from that towne to another, with y^• feare they had of our men, and from thence they went by water to another place, which was on the other side. After dinner our men went with their Captains to see whether they could take any Moores, verely beleeuing that by taking of some, they shuld for the same haue restitution of Cam­braies Nigro that was runne away as you haue heard before: And moreouer they thought to recouer two Indians which the Pilot Moore tolde the General were captiues in Monsambicke. In this iourney onely Paulo de la Gama did take foure Moores in a boate. And although ther were other boats wherin many Moores were, yet could not they be taken, for making hast to the shore, & atteining the same, they ran away, leauing their boats as a pray to our men, who found in y^e same much linnen cloth made of cotten, & also books of their lawes of Mahoma, which the Generall commanded to bee safely kept: And albeit he went that day along and before the town in his boate, as other his Captaines did in like manner in theirs, yet could not they procure anie talke or speach with anye of the Moores of the towne, and to goe on shoare he durst not, for that he had but few men in number with him, wherefore for that time hee departed thence: and the next day retourned to shoare to take in water, which without anye resistaunce was done. Nowe beeing without all hope to recouer the Nigro and the two Indians, the ge­nerall then determined to depart without them, howbeit before his departure, he ment to visit the town of Monsambick, & the dwellers therein, with some sufficient reuenge, by sending to the same such messengers, as thereby they might deeme him their mortall enimy, through the offence they had giuen him,the tovvn of Monsā bick battered from the Fleete wherefore vpon the mun­day following hee went before the towne of the Moores with his Ordinaunce, and shooting into the same, destroied it in such sorte as the people thereof were inforced to abandon the same, and flye into an Ilande within the country. And so vpon the Tewsday be­ing the xxvii. daie of March, our Fleet wayed Ankor & departed from the Towne of Monsambicke, & so in going forwarde came to an Ankor hard by two little rocks of Saint George, for so they na­med it after they came thether, where they remained, for that the [Page 20] winde was contrarie to their purpose: Neuerthelesse hauing, after a small winde they departed, howbeit the same was so small, and the currents there so great that they were cast backward.

Hovv the Captaine Generall after his departure from Mon­sambicke, went tovvards the citie of Quiola, hovv hee lost himselfe going to rhe Iland of Mombassa, & how the ship called S. Raphael stroke vpon the Flats, the vvhich novv haue the same name. Cap. 8.

THe Captaine Generall following his voiage, and being very glad, that they had found, that one of the foure Moores which Paulo de la Gama toke in the boate was a Pilolt, & could carry them to Calicut, vpon the Sunday being the first daye of Aprill, came to certeine Ilands which were ve­ry neere to the shore, to the first whereof they gaue a name, calling it the Ilande of the Asota­do, The Iland of asotado & vvhy so called which they so named, for that they there did whippe the Pilot Moore of Monsambicke, by commaundement of the Generall, as well for that he had told them those Ilands were firme land, as also before that he wold not shew the Generall the water at Monsambick in the night when they fought for the same as before is declared: and therefore now taking him with the lie, as informed of those Ilands, y^• Generall was very angrie with this Pilot, supposing as it was lik­ly, that he did carrie them thether, of intent the ships should be cast away amongst the same: The Moore being cruellye whipped con­fessed y^• indeed he did cary & train them thether of purpose they shuld there haue perished, and bene cast vpon the daungers and rockes of the Ilands: These Ilands were so manye and so neere together scituated, that they coulde hardlye bee discerned one from another, which when the Generall perceiued, he made into the Seaward, and vpon the Fridaye which was the fourth daye of Aprill, made his way to the Northwest, & before the noone tide of the same, had sight of a g [...]eat land, and of two Ilandes neere to the same, about which, were many shoe [...]s: now being come nere to y^• shore, y^• pilots Moores did recknowledge y^• same, howbeit they said y^• the Iland of the chri­stians is that of Quiloa, which was behind or a sterne vs 3. leagues, wherwith the generall was much grieued, beleeuing y^• certeinly they were Christians as the Pilots had informed him, and that they had willingly lost their course, for that the shippes should not arriue at that place. The Pilottes shaddowing their treason made shew of a [Page] reasonable excuse, saieng, that as the winde was greate, so were the currents swift, by reason whereof the shippes had further made saile then they thought for: But the truth was indéede, that they more sorrowed their missing and passing by the Iland where they informed to be Christians, then did our Captaine Generall: For they were verely in hope to haue ben reuenged ther, vpon our men by death of them all: But GOD beholding the daunger and perill meant to­wards them, of his diuine goodnesse and mercye deliuered them from the same, and that by a great miracle: For if our men had gone thether, not one of them had escaped with lyfe, since the Generall hauing such a beliefe & opinion, that there were Christians in that Iland (as the Pilot had tolde him) would no doubt haue gone presently on land at his ar­riuall there, and so thereby runne headlong into a place where he and his people should haue bene put to slaughter: The Generall thus sorrowing the misse of that Iland, for that he supposed there to haue found Christians, and the Pilots Moores in chafe with themselues for that they had missed their course thether for purpose afore said, it was then on each part determined, to goe back and assaie to finde the same: neuerthelesse although they earnestly bent themselues to attaine vnto that desired Ilande, and spent that daye in trauell to winne their purpose therein, yet coulde they not preuaile thereto: For still the winde was so contrarie, and the currents so great, as doe what they could, they failed of their wills, and were put off from arriuall there, which no doubte was done by Gods prouidence, and of his méere fauour and goodnesse towards our men: as not willing they should receiue anie daunger, or susteine crueltie, or losse of lyfe, amongest those Infidels, and therefore miraculously he preserued our people from the effect and sequele of the ma­lice of those two Pilots of the Moores of Monsambicke, which had imagined in their mindes, and trauailed to bring to finall and execution their diuellish intent: The Captaine generall and the other Captaines thus tossing vp and downe, to and fro, as well with their ships, as also in their [Page 21] mindes, determined to beare towards the Ilande of Mom­bassa, Another deuise of the Mores to destroy our men vvithall in which as those two Pilots gaue information, wer two Townes, peopled and inhabited as well with Moores as Christians: (which instructions these Pilots gaue, to the intent to deceiue our men, and to traine them thether, of purpose there to kill them, for that in déede that Ilande was altogether and whollye inhabited by Moores, as in lyke manner all that Coaste is,) and therefore vnder­standing that from thence to Mombassa are seauentie sea­uen leagues, they made way to goe thether, and being then towards Euening, they sawe a great Ilande scituated to­wards the North, in which the Moores Pilots sayde there were two Townes, one of Christians, and the other of Moores, as aforesayd. Thus they sayd and inuented to the intent to bring our men in opinion, and make them beléeue that there were in that Land, and those Coasts many Chri­stians. In this sort our ships going vnder saile, certayne dayes, the ship called Saint Raphael by fortune one mor­ning two houres before daye light, came on ground vppon certaine shoells, two leagues from the firme lande, and as she strake on ground, they within made signes to the other ships to take héede and beware, wherevpon they shot by the shoells and came to an Ankor, launching out their boats to giue succour to Paulo de la Gama Captaine in the Rapha­el, and perceiuing when they came to the same, that the wa­ter did ebbe, the Generall was meruailous glad thereof, for then he well knew, that at the next floud the ship would be afloate againe, so that now he lost the feare and iealousie he had conceiued, vpon the doubt he had that she was lost. Thus recomforted with the certaintie they saw of y^• safetie of the ship, they foorthwith layed into the sea many ankers. By this time it was daye lyght, and after that it was a lowe water, she then remained drye vpon the shore being a Sandie ground, which was the cause she tooke no harme, by striking vpon the same. Our men placed their Ankers which were layd foorth right ouer against themselues, and walked vpon the Sandes whilest the Ebbe endured. [Page] So staieng for the floud, and beholding and viewing that Ilande,The sho­els of S. Raphael. so farre as they coulde sée, they gaue for name to those Sandes, the Shoells of Saint Raphael, in respect of the name, the shippe there so hazarded did beare. And to certayne great Ilandes and Hilles which were within the firme Land, directly ouer against those shoells or sands, they gaue the name of The Hills and Ilandes of Saint Ra­phael, vpon the same consideration.

The shippe thus being drye, our men sawe two boates, and Moores of that Country in the same comming towards them, to sée our shippes, bringing manie swéete Orenges, farre better then those of Portingale, and gaue the same to our men, saieng also to the Generall, that in no wise hée should feare anye damage that coulde ensue to the shippe on grounde, for that when it were full Sea, she woulde then be on floate agayne, so as at will and pleasure the same might passe on the intended voyage thereof, with which speaches the Generall was very glad not onelye for the good comfort they gaue him, but also in that they came in so good season and time opportune, and therefore he gaue them certayne giftes, which they accepted with manye thankes, and certayne of them vnderstanding that our Fléete intended their Course to Mombassa, they desired the Generall to carry them with him thether, who graun­ted their requests, permitted them to abide and remayne with him, the others retourning from our Fléete to their Countrey. And when it was a full Sea, the shippe before on ground was afloat, and so came off from the Sandes, wherevpon the Captaine ge­neral returned, and pro­céeded on his way, with all his Fléete.

¶The description of the Iland and Citie of Mom­bassa, and how the Captaine generall arriued there, and what was the sequell that hapned him after he came thether. Chap. 9.

THe Generall following this voyage, did vpon the Saterday béeing the seauenth day of Aprill, about the going downe of the Sunne the same daye come to an Ankor without the Barre of the Iland of Mom­bassa, which is harde by the firme lande, and is verye plentie of victualls, that is to saye, Millyo, Rice, and Cattell, as well great as lyttle, but all well growne and fat, chiefly their shéepe, which be all without fayles. Also they haue manye Hennes: Moreouer, the I­lande is verye pleasaunt, hauing many Orchards, wherein are planted and are growing, great store of hearbes, & ma­ny sorts of fruites: that is to saye, Pomegranets, Figges of the Indias, Ore [...]ges both swéete and sower, Lymons, and Cidrons, and in the same are manye excellent good waters. In this Ilande there is a Citie, bearing the selfe same name of the Ilande, being in foure degrées on the South side, it is a verye great Citie, placed and scituated vppon an Hill, which also is a Rocke, wherevpon the Sea doth beate, so that it cannot bée vndermined.

At the entering into the Protes or Heauen there is a Marke: and at the enteraunce vppon the Barre, there is planted or builded a lyttle Fort, lowe and néere to the wa­ter. The most parte of the houses in this Citie, are buil­ded with lyme and stone, with the loftes thereof wrought with fine knottes of Plaister of Paris, the stréetes therein are verye fayre. They haue a King of themselues, and the dwellers or inhabitaunts of the same are Moores, where­of some bée white, and some browne of coulour, both men and women: it appeareth they are good men on horse­backe. [Page] They goe gallantly arayed, especially the women, which go apparelled in gownes of silke, and be decked and garnished with Iewells of golde and precious stones. In this Citie is great trade of all kindes of Marchandize. There is also a good Harbour, where alwayes are manye shippes lieng at Road, and from the firme land commeth thether great plen­tie of Honnie, Waxe and Iuorie, the Captaine Generall thus come to the Barre of this Citie, did not then enter foorthwith, for that it was almost night when he came to an Ankor. But he commaunded to put foorth the flagges, and to toll their shippes, reioycing and making great mirth, for that their good fortune, and hope they conceyued, that in that Ilande there dwelled manye Christians, and that the next daye they should heare Masse on the shore. Moreo­uer they were greatly comforted, as hauing such confi­dence, that in this place they might and woulde cure and heale all such as were then sicke amongest them, as in truth were, almost all that were there present, albeit in number but fewe, for all the others were dead. Yet such as remayned and had escaped the sicknesse and diseases past, and were not dead of the great infirmities and troubles before in this voyage chaunced vnto them. Being thus at an Ankor, and the night almost approched, our men saw a­bout an hundred men in a great Barcke, euery one of them hauing a Sworde and a Target, who at their comming to our shippes, woulde haue entered therein with all theyr weapons: howbeit the Generall would not consent there­to, neither permitted he anye more to enter then foure of them, and those also without weapon, declaring to them in their language that they shoulde pardon him since he was a straunger,Certaine of the in­habitants of this city came aboorde the ship. and therefore coulde not tell whom he might trust, and vnto those whom he gaue license to enter aboorde his ship, he gaue good and gentle entertainment, banketting the same with such Conserues as they had, (whereof those Moores did well eate) willing them not to déeme euill of him, for his denyall of theyr enteraunce in manner a­foresayde, where-vnto they aunswered, that theyr [Page 23] comming then was to sée him as a rare and new thing in that their countrie, and that he shoulde not meruaile to see them bring theyr weapons, since it was the custome & vse of the same to carrie them as well in peace as in the time of warre: also they further declared vnto the generall, that the king of Mombassa did vnderstand of his comming, and for that it was so néere night, he had not then sent to visit him, howbeit the next day he would, and that as he was glad of his arriuall there, so also would he be more glad to see him, yea, and to giue him spices to load his ships, furthermore, they informed him that there were many Christians, which liued by themselues in that Iland: wherevpon the General was not onely ioyfull, but also fullye perswaded that their report thereof was true and vnfeined, since the same was agréeable, and accorded with the information and talke of the two Pilottes, neuerthelesse he carried some sparke of iealousie in his head and for all their faire speaches and su­gured talke, he wisely imagined y^• those Moores, came to sée whether they might, by anie traine take one of our ships, wherein he gessed vpon the truth, for certeinly their com­ming then was onely for that purpose, as afterward it was made apparant. For most true it was y^• the king of Mom­bassa did know and had perfect intelligence that we were Christians, and also what we had done in Monsambicke, & therefore he practised meanes to be reuenged of vs,Svvete practises of sowre treason. by ta­king our ships and killing of vs, wherefore prosecuting his wicked intent therein, the next daie following, which was Palme sundaie, he sent to our Generall certeine white Moores, which declared to him y^• their king was very glad of his comming thether, and that if he wold come into his harbour, he would liberally giue him all things he stoode in néede off, and for assurance of the same he sent him a ring, a shéepe, and many swéete Orenges, Cidrons, and Sugar canes, giuing also these Moores instructions to tell him fur­ther, that they were Christians, and that in the Iland were many christened people: All which they did in such sorte counterfai [...]e, and with so great and déepe dissimulation, that [Page] our men thought verely they were Christians: wherefore the Generall receiued them very well, and gaue them cer­teine giftes, sending to the King greate thankes for his gentle and liberall offer, saieng further, that the next day he woulde come néerer in: Hée sent also to the King a braunch of Corall verye fine, and for more assuraunce to confirme the same, he sent with those Moores two of our men, which were banished persons, and were car­ried of purpose to bée aduentured in such like respect of daunger, or to be lefte and putte on shore in such places, where it shoulde be thought good to vnderstande some­what, and then to returne and be taken in againe, when our men and the two Moores were gone: and come to the shore, there met them a multitude of people to sée them, all which went with them and viewed them, euen to the kings Pallace, where our men béeing entered, they passed through thrée doores before they came where the king was, at each of which there was a Porter attending, hauing euerye one of them a swoorde in his hand. They found the King but in small estate, neuerthelesse hée receiued them verye well, and commaunded that in the selfe same companie of the Moores with whome they came, they should be shew­ed the Citie, and carried about the same in going and view­ing whereof, they sawe in the stréetes many men Priso­ners & in yrons, but because our men vnderstoode not their language, nor they had any vnderstanding of ours, there was no question demaunded by our two messengers, what Prisoners those were, howbeit they beléeued the same to bée Christians, for that our Generall was informed by the two Pilottes, and the Kinges messengers, (as you haue before hearde) that there were in that Ilande such Chri­stians, which also had warres with the Moores.

Moreouer they carryed our men to the Merchauntes house of the Indias, Merch̄ts of the In­dias vvhich are Chri­stians which were Christians, who hauing information that ours also were people Christened, shew­ed themselues to be ioyfull thereof, both imbracing and banketting them, shewing them painted in a Paper, the fi­gure [Page 24] of the holy Ghost, the which they did worshippe, and before them made their Prayers vppon theyr knées, and that with such a counteuaunce, and shew of greate deuo­tion, as though they were such men inwardlye indéede, as in appearaunce outwardlye they then pretented, and made shewe off: Furthermore, the Moores then tolde our men by signes, that manye other Christians as those were, did dwell in another place farre from thence, and therefore they would not carrie them thether: howbeit they sayde, that after our Captaine Generall were come into the Porte or Harbour, they shoulde goe and sée them. All these thinges those wilie people, shewed and imparted to our men, of purpose to deceiue them and to allure them to come within that Porte, where they were determined to destroy and kill them all.

After they had séene the Citie, they were then brought to the presence of the King, who commaunded to shew them Pepper, Ginger, Cloaues, and Wheate, giuing them of euerye sorte thereof some portion to be carryed and shew­ed the Generall, and sent him worde by his messenger, that of all those commodities he hadde greate store, and woulde giue him his loading if that hée woulde. Also that he had Golde, and Siluer, Amber, Waxe, Iuorye, and other riches, in so greate plentie, that hée shoulde haue and finde there when hée woulde for lesse valour and pri­ses, then in anie other place.

This Message was brought to our Captaine Gene­rall vppon Mundaye, who hauing séene the Spices, and hearing of the Kinges promise, to furnishe him the same, and to lade him therewith, was meruailous gladde of that offer, and so much the rather, was hée confirmed in opinion of good lucke, for that our two banished men, hadde gathered such intelligence, and made him so full and good declaration of the People, Citie, and Lande there, and chiefelye of the two Christians, they founde in the House of the Merchauntes of the In­dias.

[Page] Wherefore he & his Captaines immediatly aduised them­selues thereof, and so entering into counsel for the same, it was by them thought good, to come within the port, and to accept the offer of Spices, and afterwarde to goe on theyr voiage to Calicut, where if they could not haue the like, they would remaine content, with that they should haue in this place, and thus hauing concluded vppon these pointes, they determined to enter into the harbour the next daie: in this meane while came certeine Moores to our ships with so great quietnesse, and humilitie, and with such shew and appearance of friendlinesse and loue, as though they had ben of long acquaintance and familiaritie with our men: The next day following in the morning, y^• floud being come, the Generall commanded to take vp their Ankors, minding to enter the harbour, but God not willing that he and the rest should enter into that present mischiefe,God sent them fa­therly checks to keepe thē frō vtter destructiō nor to ende theyr liues in that place (as the Moores had determined they shuld haue done,) did therefore cause and prouide the meane that preuented that perill, and wrought their safetie: For when the Generalls ship had wayed her Ankor, and was going to enter the port, she strake vpon a shoel that was asterne the same, which hap when he perceiued, and fearing hée should cast himselfe away, he then forthwith commanded, to let fall his Ankor, & in like sort did the other Captaines also: which chance when the Moores that were in the ships sawe, & that the Generall was come to an ankor, they then imagined that during that daye, they shoulde not gette the Fléete into the harbour, and therefore they ran to theyr boate, which they had on the ships side to goe to the Citie, at which instant also the Pilots of Monsambicke, falling a stearne the Admirall, tooke the water, and those of the boate tooke them in and carried them away with them, al­though the Generall called vnto them, requiring them to bring backe, and deliuer them to him againe: But when he sawe they would not so doe, then he apparantlye perceiued that ther was an euill meaning in their King and them, to­wards him and his, and that it was his great goodnesse and [Page 25] fauour to giue him cause of staye, by happening vppon that shoell, thereby to preserue him from their treason imagi­ned, and put in practise: Thus hauing declared to all his company, the opinion he conceiued of that which then be­fore their eyes was done, and appeared to be deuised and wrought against them, he then commaunded the night bee­ing come, to giue some torments or torture, to two of the Moores, which he brought captiues with them from Mon­sambicke, thereby to sée whether they had practised any tre­son, and to inforce them to open and disclose the same: which commaundement being obserued, and put in execu­tion, by heating and dropping of bacon vppon their flesh, they immediately confessed, they had conspired treason, and that the Pilots tooke the Sea, as fearing the same had ben disclosed: wherevpon the Generall, altogether altered his minde and purpose of going into that Harbour. Neuerthe­lesse being vnquiet and greatly gréeued at their falshood, he was desirous to vse lyke torture to another Moore captiue also: to make tryall whether he were of counsell and in consort with the rest.

But this Moore perceiuing preparation made for that purpose, did cast himselfe his hands being bound, into the sea, as in lyke manner another of them did, before it was daye light. The secrecie of the mischiefe prepared, being thus come to apparaunt view, and so discouered, the Gene­rall gaue great thankes to God, by whose only goodnesse, he and his company were delyuered from imminent death and slaughter amongst those Infidells, and therefore in contem­plation and thankes giuing for the same, he and his com­pany béeing aboord the Admirall, sayd the Salue Regina. After this being mindfull of their safetie, and fearing least the Moores would attempt some matter against them in the night time, they therefore ordained strong and diligent watch, commaunding euerye man to watch armed: And héere by the way is to be noted one thing, and that to bee meruayled at, which is this: That when our men came first before the Towne of Mombassa, all such amongest [Page] them as then were sicke, (which indéede were many) began then presently to be whole: so that in this time of theyr great necessitie, and daunger, they felt and found themselues sound and strong, which as it was past all hope and expec­tation of man, and farre aboue the common course of Na­ture, and operation of the same, so the more liuely it appea­red to be the meruailous and supernaturall worke of God, and therefore miraculously done at this instant time of ne­cessitie, when his diuine power was to be séene and exten­ded, for the preseruation of that poore distressed number, which then had their onely affiaunce in him. The watch thus prepared and set for that night, it fortuned that those which watched in the shippe Berrio, felt the gabell of the same wagging, whereat an Ankor lay into the Sea, and at the first they adiudged that the gabell had bene wagged or shaken by a kinde of Fish called a Tunnie whereof ma­ny were there about which be very great and good meate,Tunnie good meate & plentifull in the coast of Mōbassa. but giuing better and more attentiue eare thereto, they then perceiued that their enimies were at the same, who in truth did swimme about the gabell, and were cutting of it with their woodkniues or fawchings, and hoping or rather vere­ly knowing, that perfourming their enterprise thereof the shippe would runne a shore, and so both she and our men in the same be cast away and taken: For by any other deuise they coulde not accomplish their willes, and therefore they practised this meane. Howbeit our men hauing discryed whereabout they were, preuented them, by crieng out and calling to the other shippes, showing what was in dooing, and willing them also to beware and looke to the same, wherevpon they of the shippe Raphael, came presentlye to their succour and rescew, finding some of their enimies a­mongst the cheines of the tacklings of their formast, who perceiuing how they were discouered, sodainly cast them­selues vnder water, and with the others that were cutting the gabell of the shippe Berrio, fledde away swimming to certaine boates, which they had lyeng somewhat farre off, wherein (as our men afterward vnderstoode) were many [Page 26] Moores, who taking them in, rowed fast awaye, and so re­tourned to the Citie. The Wensday and Thursday follow­ing, our Fléete still remained there, about which in y^• night time came the enimies in boates, which alwayes lay harde by the shore, from which some of them did swimme of pur­pose to espie, if by any meane they could cut a sunder the gabells of the Ankors, but our men obserued and kept such diligent and warie watch, that they could not preuaile, ne­uerthelesse our men were greatlye troubled, and put in feare of burning their shippes. For truly it was to be mer­uayled at, that the Moores came not about the same in such shippes as they had, which if they had done, it had bene then lykely by all coniecture of man, that they should haue destroyed and killed vs all. It was coniectured that they béeing in feare of the Ordinaunce in our shippes, durst not giue attempt to set vppon the same by force, but what­souer cause appeared in our sightes to bée a lette in that respect to them: It was most certayne in déede, that it was God his good will and fauour, to put their hearts in feare to deale with vs in anye forceable manner, whereby we might be preserued from the crueltie inten­ded towardes vs.

¶Heerein is contayned matter of the Citie of Mylinde, and how the Captaine generall came thether. Chap. 10.

THe Captaine generall did willingly tarrie & remaine before Mombassa, the two daies as before is declared, of purpose to sée if he could haue from thence two Pilots to cary him to Calicut, for that without them it was verye hard for him to goe thether, [Page] since our Pilots had no knowledge of that Countrey. But when he sawe he coulde not haue anye there, he departed thence vpon Friday in the morning with a small winde, and at the comming ouer the Barre, he lefte behinde him one of his Ankors, for his men were so wearied with brin­ging and hailing vp the rest, that they coulde not waye vp the same, which afterward being found ther by the Mores, was carried to the Citie, and placed harde by the Kings Pallaice, and remained there at what time Don Franco de Almeyda was the first Lord President of the Indias: who when he tooke the same towne from the Moores, found this Ankor there, as I shall declare in the second Booke of this present Treatise. Being thus departed from Mom. bas­sa and passing on their voyage, eight leagues beyonde the same, the Generall and his Fléete, through lacke of winde, came to an Ankor hard by the land in the night, and in the dawning of the daye, they discouered two Sambucos (which are little Pinnacies) vnder the lye, thrée leagues from the Fléete a Sea boord, which when the Generall sawe, and being desirous to haue some Pilots to carrie him to Caly­cut, he supposed he might be sped of such to serue his turne, if he could take those small boates or Pinnacies, and ther­fore waying his Ankors, he and the other Captaines went towards them, and pursued the same vntil Euensong time, at which instant the Generall tooke one of them, but the other ranne alande, from whence before it came. In this Pinnace which was so taken, were seauentéene Moores, amongst which was one olde Moore, who séemed to be Ma­ster of the rest, hauing with him a young woman that was his wife:Among the Mores also olde men vse to marrie yoūg vvomen. In the same also was found great store of siluer and golde, and some victualles. The Captaine not stayeng vppon this occasion, foorthwith went forwarde, and in the selfe same daye with his whole Fléete came harde by Mylynde, which is eightéene leagues from Mom­bassa, and in thrée degrées to the Southwarde it hath no good Harbour, for that it is almost an open Roade, but there is a certain Piere or recife wheron the sea doth beat, [Page 27] which is the cause why the ships doe ride far from y^• shore: This Citie standeth in a broad field along the Sea side, & round about the same are many Palme trées, with many other sorts of trées, which all the yeare grow gréene: Also many Gardens and Orchards,The beautiful scituation of Mylynde, vvith the pleasant­nes of the soile, and fruits. replenished with all kind of hearbes and fruits, and very faire fountaines of good wa­ters in the same: But principally their Orenges excel, which are not onely very great, but also very sweet and pleasant in tast: They haue also great store and plentie of victuals, as Mylyo and Ryse, Cattell both greate and small, also great store of Hennes, which bee very fat and good cheape. The Citie is great, hauing in the same faire stréets, & ma­ny faire houses of lime and stone, builded with many lofts, with their windowes and tarrisis made of Lime & earth: The naturall people of that Countrie are blacke, and of good proportion of bodie, with curled haire, the straungers which resort thether & make their abode there, are Moores of Arabia which doe gouerne themselues very well & com­mendably, especially the Gentlemen, who from the girdle vpward goe naked, and from the same downeward doe co­uer themselues with silke, and with very fine cotten cloth, and others with short Cloakes made of Cotten after the olde fashion, the which they doe weare to couer their arms pits: and vpon their heads, they weare a certeine manner of Cloth wrought with silke and golde. They weare also rich Daggers with great tassels of silke, of many colours, and swoords very well garnished: They be all left handed, and carrie with them alwaies bows and arrowes, for they vse the pastime of shooting, & be great good Archers. Moreo­uer, they account themselues to be good horsemen, although there be a common saieng or speach vsed by the inhabitants in the coasts thereaboutes: The men on horsebacke of Mombassa: and the women of Mylynde: for as in Mom­bassa be very good horsemen, so in Mylynde are very faire women, which goe richly apparelled: In this Citie also dwel many Gentiles of the kingdome of Cambaya, which is in the Indias: and those are greate merchants vsing tract [Page] or traficke for golde, whereof there is some in that Coun­trie, as in like manner ther is Amber greace, Iuory, Pitch, and Waxe, all which they giue in exchaunge to such as come from Cambaya for Copper, Quicksiluer, and Cloth of Cotten, and that the one and the other hath gaines ther­of: The king of this Citie is a Moore, and is serued with farre greater estate then the other kings which remaine behinde▪ Mylynde like a city of Por­tingale The Generall being come ouer against this Citie did reioyce in his heart very much, and so likewise did all the rest of the Fléete, for that they now sawe, a Citie lyke vnto those of Portingale, and therefore they rendered most heartie and humble thankes to God, for their good and safe arriuall there: And being desirous to haue some Pilottes to carrie them to Calicut, the Generall commaunded to come to an Ankor, minding to assay if he coulde by anye meanes obteine such there as might serue for that purpose: For vntill this time, he could not know of the Moores hée had taken, whether amongest them were any Pilots, who albeit they were offered torments, still answered and said, there were none of them skilfull in that respect.

¶How the Captaine Generall sent a Moore in message to Mylynde, and what aunswere the King made him. Cap. 11.

THE next day after being Easter euen, the old Moore which was taken Captiue, with the rest in the Pinnace, tolde the Generall that in Mylynde were foure ships of the Christian Indias, promising also that if he would license him, and the other Moores to goe to land, he would giue him for his resgat, Christi­an Pilots, and moreouer wold furnish him with all things he had néede off. The Generall being well pleased with the speaches, and offer of this olde Moore, commaunded to wey theyr Ankors, and so remoued and came to an Ankor with­in [Page 28] in halfe a league of the Citie. But from thence there came no bodie to our Fléete, for they feared and were in doubt that our men would take them captiue, and besides they knew by the Pinnace which the Generall tooke, that wee were Christians, beléeuing also that our Shippes were Shippes of warre: All which the Generall supposing they coniectured: hée therefore vppon the Mundaye in the mor­ning commaunded the olde Moore to a certeine shelfe ly­eng ouer against the Citie, and there to leaue him, from whence he déemed they woulde fetch him, as indéede they did, for when our Boate was gone from thence, there came from the shoare a boat for the Moore, & so caried him awaye presently to the King, to whome the Moore decla­red on the behalfe of the Generall what hée requested to haue, and further that hée desired to be at peace with him, in respect of his noble personage, whereof hée had heard greate good reporte, hoping also that it was God his great good will & pleasure that the Indias should bée discouered, which the rather by his aide & furtherance might be accom­plished. The king hearing and receiuing in fauourable part the message, and messenger, was also verie gladde thereof, and forthwith retourned the Moore in a Boate, sending with him one of his owne seruauntes, and a Priest by whome hée sent the Captaine Generall worde, that he was verye willing to conclude a peace betwéene them, and that hée woulde giue him such Pilottes,A present sent to y^e Captaine Generall from the king of Mylynde as he woulde desire, with whatsoeuer besides he had néede of, and by these mes­sengers were presented to the Generall, from the King thrée Shéepe, many Orenges, and Sugar Canes, which he receiued in thankfull wise, & by the selfe same messenger, re­turned answere to the king their Maister, that he graunted vnto, and accepted of the peace moued and offered betwéene them, and was and woulde be readie to confirme the same. Moreouer hée saide vnto them, that the next daye, hée would enter into their Harbour, and that the King shoulde vnderstande that hee came from, and is subiecte to a greate King, vppon the Cape of the Occident, who [Page] was desirous to know where the Citie of Calicut stoode, & had sent him to finde out and discouer the same, commaun­ding him also, to make peace with all kings and Princes, vpon whose territories in his waie, he should hap to come and arriue, which would be willing to haue the same with him: and further tolde them that it was now two yeares since he came from his Countrie, and that the king his Maister was such a worthy and puissaunt Prince, as the king their Maister would be gladde to knowe him for his friend: Thus hauing talked and discoursed with them to effect aforesaid, hée then dismissing them, sending by the same for a Present a Hat, (which in that time was vsed) and two braunches of Corall, thrée basons of Brasse, cer­teine little Bells, and two Scarffes to the king. The next daie after, being the second after Easter daie, the Captaine Generall came néere to the Citie, whereof the king hauing knowledge, did immediatly send to visite him, in more ho­nourable sorte: for hearing how farre of he was come, and what he sought, he adiudged the king of Portingale to bée a Prince of a great stomack, and the General to be a wor­thy subiect in obeyeng to hazard himselfe, in so daunge­rous and long a iourney Also hée conceiued greate pleasure in his heart that he shoulde sée such people, as had so long time trauailed vpon the sea, and so desirous to sée our men, he sent word to the Generall, that the next day following, he would in his own person visite him, and that their mée­ting should be vpon the water, and therewith sent him sixe shéepe, and store of Cloues, Ginger, Pepper, and Nutmegs. This message thus declared, the Captaine Generall yéel­ded to the kings determination, and therevpon did enter néerer, and came to an Ankor, harde to the foure shippes of the Indias, (whereof the olde Moore tolde him before.) The Owners then hauing knowledge that our shippes came from a Christian Countrie, and that we were Christians, did immediatly come to visite our Generall, who at that instant was in the ship of Paulo de la Gama: These men are browne of coulour, but they are of good stature & well [Page 29] proportioned:The de­scriptiō of their per­sons and attire that inhabite this coū ­trey and Citie. They goe apparelled in long white gownes made of cotten, they haue great beards, & the hayre of their heades is long lyke vnto womens, and pleited vnder theyr toockes, which they weare on theyr heades. The Generall at theyr repaire to him, receiued them verye well, asking them first whether they were Christians, by an Interpre­tour he had that could speake the Algarauia tongue, wher­of they had some vnderstanding, saieng that it was not their proper language, howbeit they yet had some know­ledge therof, by occasion of the trade and talke they vsu­ally haue with y^e Moores, of whom they aduised him to be­ware, and not haue ouer farre trust and confidence in those of Mylynde, least that the sequell of their inwarde mea­ning, were farre contrarie to their outwarde shewe. The Generall determining of himselfe to make tryall, whether they were Christians or not, or had anye knowledge of God, commaunded to bring forth a Table, wherein was painted the picture of our Ladie at what time she wept, in which also were the pictures of some of the Apostles, and shewed the same to the Indians, not telling them what it was: which they sawe, they fell presently downe vpon the ground, worshipping that Representation, and prayed a while, whereof our Generall was verye ioyfull, and then demaunded whether they were of the Citie of Calycut, wherevnto they aunswered, No: howbeit they sayd they were of another Citie, further off called Granga­lor, but of Calicut they could not say or informe any thing. And from this time, so long as our Fléete remayned there, they dayly came to the shippe of Paulo de la gama, to make their prayers before that Table, and did offer to the Images in the same, Pepper, and other things. These Indians did eate no Béefe, as we were informed of them.

¶How the King of Mylynde visited the Captaine generall, and made peace with him, giuing him a Pilot to carry him to Calycut. Cap. 12.

THe last day of the eight after Easter, dinner being done, the King of Mylynde came in a great boate hard to our Fléete, apparelled in a Cassocke of Crimson Damaske, lined with gréene satten, hauing vpon his head a rich towell. He was sitting in a chaire, such as was vsed in olde time, very well made and wrought with wire, being in sight very faire, and in the same was a cushion of silke, and another like vnto that hard by him, which was couered with a hat of Crimson satten. There stood hard by him as his Page, an olde man, who carried a very rich sword, the scabered wherof was siluer: he brought with him manye Shagbuts, and two Flutes of Iuorie, which were eight spans of length each of them, they were very well wrought, and vppon the same they played by a little hole that is in the midst thereof, agréeing and accor­ding well with the shagbuts. There came with the King, about the number of twentie Moores Gentlemen all richly apparelled. The King now being come néere to the ships, the Captaine generall came forth to méete him in his boat well trimmed and set out with all his flagges, and he him­selfe comely araied, withall his best apparell, carrieng with him twelue of the most principall men of his shippes, his brother onely except, whom he left with charge of y^e same. The boates of each part being come néere together,The mee­ting of the king of Mylind and the Captaine generall. and the one making countenance of friendly salutation & entertain­ment to the other, the King then said to the Generall, that he would speake with him in his owne boat, of purpose to sée & view him the better, whervpon foorthwith he receiued him into his boat, the King then giuing to the Generall as great honour & curtesie as though he had also ben a King: he very earnestly noted & beheld him & his men, as a strange sight and matter to him and his people: he required the Ge­nerall to tell him the name of his King, and being tolde, he [Page 30] commaunded the same to be then presently written: he al­so inquired matter perticularly of him, & of his power, wher­vnto the Generall aunswered, and in euerye point satisfied his demaund, declaring also for what cause y^e king his ma­ster had sent him to discouer Calicut, which was to haue from thence spices, whereof in his dominion & countrey was none. And after he had thus talked with the King & infor­med him somewhat of the same & of the straights of y^e red Sea, the King then promised to him a Pilot to carry him to Calicut, & also very earnestly desired him to goe with him into his Citie, there to take his pleasure, & solace himself in his Pallaice, saieng it was néedfull & necessary, after so ma­ny troubles, in so long a voyage sustained, to vse some re­creation, and take some rest: further then promising, that if he would so do, that afterward he in like manner would go with him to sée his ships, & make merry in the same, wher­vnto the Generall aunswered, that he had no license of the King his Master to go a shore, & therefore if he shuld varie from his Princes wil & commaundement therein, he shuld then giue an euill accompt of himselfe, to which excuse the King replied, saieng, that if he shuld go to sée his ships, what accompt should he then make to those of his Citie, or what might they déeme & adiudge of him therein: yet notwith­standing he said, y^t it was a griefe to him y^t he refused to go with him to his Citie, which was & shuld be at y^e comman­demēt of him & of y^e king his master, to whom he wold send his Embassador or els write, if he wold come y^t way at his returne from Calicut. The General yéelding thanks to the King, promised him to returne y^• way, & whilest they were thus talking there, did send for those Moores, which he had taken captiues, and gaue them to the King, saieng that if he could do him any further pleasure, he would gladly doe the same: with which gift the King was so content, that he said, he did more estéeme of the same, then if he had giuen him such another Citie as that of Mylynde was. Now hauing ended their talke and confirmed the friendship betwéene them, the King then rowing amongst our ships, [Page] and behelde the same, with great pleasure and admiration▪ out of which great store of shot of Ordinaunce passed, wherewith they were greatlye delyghted, all which time our Generall went with him, to whom he declared, that he neuer saw any men of whom he tooke so great pleasure, as he did of those of Portingall, whereof he woulde gladye haue some with him, to helpe him in his warres, which he hath sometime with his enimies: for it well appeared they were men apt to offend their enimie, and to abide and suffer any trauell or paine, that should happen vnto them. To which his speaches the Generall aunswered, that if hée had experience of their doings, he woulde then a great deale better lyke of them, and further that they would helpe him, if the King his Master would sende his ships of warre to Calicut, as he doubted not but he would, if it wer Gods good pleasure to permit the same to be discouered. After the King had in this sort solaced himself, he then desired the General, that since he would not go with him to his Citie, he shuld then let him haue two of his men to go and sée his Pallaice, and for pledge of the same, he would giue him his sonne, and one of his chiefe Chaplaines, the which they call Cacis, wherevnto the Generall yéelded and appointed two of our men to go with the King, who at his departure, reque­sted the Generall that the next day he would goe along in his boate hard by the shore, where he shuld sée his horsmen running, & so they departed for that time, the next day being Thursday, the Captaine generall & Nicholas Coello, went in their boates armed along the shore, the one somewhat di­stant from the other, betwéene whom vpon the shore were many men on horsebacke skirmishing, & as our boats appro­ched néere the shore, there came certaine footemen downe certaine stayres of stone from the Kings house, which was in sight, where they tooke the King vp in a chaire, and ca­ried him verye néere to the Boate of the Generall, to whom he spake verye louing wordes, and once more re­quested him to enter vpon land, and go to his Citie, for that his father being a lame man, was desirous to sée him, and [Page 31] that whilest he should remaine on shoare,The Ge­nerall vvould not con­sent to go on lād at Mylynde both he and his children would enter and abide in his ships. But our Ge­nerall, fearing least vnder such sugred speach some bitter baite might lie couered, did therfore still excuse himself for going on land, alleadging hée must obey his Prince, who gaue him no license or commission so to do at anie time. And so taking his leaue of the king, hée went a while hard by the ships of the Indias, shooting off much Ordinaunce, who when they sawe vs passe by lifted vp their hands, sai­eng: Christe, Christe, and that night with the kings license our men made them a great feast, with much pastime also of Squibs, Gunne shot, and great and lowde cryes. The Fléet thus lyeng in y^e harbour, there came vpon y^e sundaie béeing the. 21. day of Aprill, from the king, a man that was in great credit with him, to visite the Captaine Generall, who at that instant was very sad and heauie: for that it was then two daies since any man came to the Fléet from the Citie, by reason whereof he feared least that the king were offended with him, as taking occasion of offence, for that he refused to go on shoare, supposing also that he wold therevppon, breake the peace and league made betwéene them, for which he was sorrowfull, especially since as yet he had no Pilots. And when he sawe, that he which was so great with the king, did bring him no Pilots, he then began to haue some iealousie, and suspition of the king, who being informed therof, and knowing the Generall remai­ned there for that cause, did therefore forthwith send him a Pilot, a Gentile (called in their language Gosarate) whose name was Canaca, making excuse that hée had not sent him sooner, and so the king and the Generall remained friends, and continued the peace before concluded vpon be­twéene them.

¶How the Captaine Generall departed from Mylynde, came to Calicut, and of what greatnesse and noble­nesse that citie is. Cap. 13.

[Page] THE Captaine Generall béeing thus pro­uided of all things necessarie for his voy­age, departed from Mylynde towards Ca­licut vpon the Tewsday, being the 22. day of Aprill, and from thence he began to cut ouer a goulfe, which is of seauen hundreth and fiftie leagues, for the land there doth make a certeine great valley, which doth runne along the coast from the North to the South, and our voiage in demaunding of Ca­licut, lay to the Eastward, in following whereof the next Sunday our men sawe the North, which a long time be­fore they had not séene, and also they sawe the South, of which good fortune they thanked God, in that it represen­ted as then to them winter of the Indias, & where alwaies in that goulfe are great stormes, they now found none, but rather faire weather: The Fridaye being the .xvii. daye of May, and xxiii. daies next after their departing from My­lynde (in which time they had séene no land) they then dis­couered & came to sight of land.They wer 23. dayes, & savve no lād af­ter theyr departure from Mylinde. And the Fléete béeing viii. leagues of seaboord from the shoare: the land séemed high: their Pilot whose name was Canaca, did as then let fall the Plommet, & found fortie fiue fathom, wherevpon to a­uoide and apart himselfe from that coast, he made his way to the Southeast, & vppon the Saterday he made to land­ward, howbeit he ranne not so néere the same as he might certainly knowe it, but he perceiued by small showres of raine, which fell as they made towards land, y^• they were on the coast of y^e Indias, for y^• at y^• present time of y^e yere, y^• winter is euer in those Indias. The sunday, being y^e xx. day of May the Pilot sawe certeine high hils, which were ouer the Citie of Calicut, and came so néere to land, that he did reknowledge the same, and with great ioy and pleasure, de­maunded of the Generall Albrycias, saieng that this was the land, which he and his companie so greatly desired to sée, and come to. The General replenished with ioy of that good fortune▪ gaue Canaca his demaund, & forthwith went to praier, saieng the Salue, wherein they gaue God greate [Page 32] thanks, for this their happie and safe arriuall vppon that coast, and in sight of the place, which they so earnestly lon­ged for to sée, when praier was done they made great ioy, and feasted on shipboord, and the selfe same daie in the eue­ning, the Generall came to an Ankor two leagues from Calicut, The Fleet arriueth at Calicut & the maner of the people there and immediatly came certeine people of that land in fowre boates called Almaydyas, to our Fléete, to vn­derstand what ships these were, hauing neuer before séene any of that making, come to that cost: These people came all naked, sauing that their members were couered, with little péeces of linnen cloath: they are browne people. At their comming to vs some of them entered into the Ge­neralls shippe, and albeit the Pilot Goserate, tolde him that they were Fishermen, a poore kinde of people (for so they call all such as bee poore men in the Indias) yet hée recey­ued them all well, and commaunded his men to buye of their Fish, which they brought with them: And hauing some talke with them, he did vnderstand that, that towne was not Calicut, for it was they said further off, & offered to carrie our Fléete thether: Wherevpon the Generall re­quired them so to doe, and therewith departed thence, and were brought by those Fishermen to Calicut, which is a Citie scituated on the Coast of Malabar, which is a Pro­uince of the second Indias, that hath his beginning in the Mount Dely, and endeth at the end of Comory, which is in lentgh thréescore leagues and one, and fiftéene in breadth: All the Countrie lyeth lowe, and is apt to be couered with water: Ther be many Ilandes in the same, & it doth enter into the Sea Indico: There is a verie high hill which diuideth the limits betwéene them, and a great kingdome called Narsinga: The Indians do report that this land of Malabar in olde time was maine Sea, and ran as far as y^e hill where now the Ilands of Maldiua are, which were then firme land, & did couer & discouer y^e other of Ma­labar, in which are many and pleasaunt Cities, & those also very rich, by reason of y^e trade they haue principaly with thē of Calicut, which in riches & vice doth excel al in our time, [Page] whose foundation was on this sort: This Prouince of Malabar was in the olde time gouerned altogether by one king, who made his aboade in the Citie of Conlan, and in the last kings daies of this land (whose name was Sarana­perimal, and died sixe hundreth yeares agone) the Moores of Meca discouered the Indias, and came to the Prouince of Malabar, the inhabitaunts wherof then were Gentiles, and the king himselfe was a Gentile: From the time of the comming of these Moores, they beganne to account, the yeares as we account, from y^e birth of our Lord God: And after they came thether, they grew into such familyaritie with this king, and hée entered into such conference & good opinion of their lawes, that he renounced the manner of re­ligion of his owne Countrie, and minded thence forth to imbrace theirs, and the loue and liking he had of this sect of Mahomet so déepely tooke roote, and entered into his heart, that he determined to goe and ende his lyfe, in the house of Meca: Thus béeing resolued, for the loue he bare to that sect, to abandon and leaue his kingdome for euer, and goe with them, before his departure he imparted to his kinred,The first & strange institutiō of the kingdōe of Cali­cut. and diuided amongest them all his Lordships, and territories, and hauing distributed and giuen the same so farre forth, that there remained to him no more but xii. leagues of his Countrie, which laye néere to the shoare, where he meant to imbarke himselfe, the which was neuer before inhabited, & therfore he then gaue y^e same to a cosin of his, which then serued him as his Page: commaunding y^• the same circuit shold be inhabited in perpetuall memo­rie, of his imbarking there: To the same his kinsman hée also gaue, his swoord, & a towell after the Morisco sort, as things apperteining and incident to the estate, & gaue com­maundement to all the Gentlemen to whom he had giuen all the rest of his lands, that they should be obedient & true subiects vnto him, and to take him for theyr Emperour, (the kings of Conlan and Canamor onely except) whome also he commaunded and charged, & likewise al the others, that they nor no other Lordes shoulde coine money in the [Page 33] Prouince of Malabar, but onely the King of Calycut. So hauing thus bestowed and giuen his lands, possessions and dignities, as he thought good, and set euery necessary thing in order, for establishing his determinate will and pleasure, he then imbarked himselfe there, wher now Calicut is buil­ded and scituated, and for that the King did there imbarke himself to go towards y^e house of Meca, y^e Moores then took such deuotion towards that place, that they and all their po­steritie euer since that time hitherto would not, nor yet will take any lading but out of that Port. And from that time afterward, they came no more to the Port of Coulan, as vsually they did before, by meane and occasion whereof, the same grew to ruine, and was destroyed, especially when Calicut was once builded, and that many Moores came and inhabited the same. For as they were Merchaunts of great dealings, so came they thether, and made there the greatest and richest Faire or Marte of all the Indias, finding there all the Spices, Drugs, Nutmegs, and all other things that could be wished, as all kindes of precious stones, pearles, & séede of pearle,Laker is a kinde of gum that procedeth of the Ant. Muske, Saunders, Aguila, fine Dishes of earth, Laker, gylted Coffers, and all the fine things of the Chyna, Gold, Amber, Waxe, Iuorie, fine and cou [...]se cotten, as well white as dyed in colours, much rawe silke, & silke twisted, and all kinde of linnen cloth of silke, and golde, and cloth of golde, and cloth of tissew, chamlets, graine, scarlets, carpets of silke, Copper, Quicksiluer, Vermilion, Allome, co­ralls, Rose waters, and all kinde of Conserues, so that ther is no kinde of Merchandise of all the world, which coulde be demaunded, but it should be found there. Moreouer, it was very quiet, for that it was scituated along the Coast, the which lieth almost open, and very daungerous: it is in­uironed & set round about with many Orchards, in which are many sorts of fruits of that lande, and many hearbes, and excellent waters. Also they haue many Palme trées, and other sorts of trées. In this lande there is but small store of Rice, which is ther a principall victuall, as amongst vs our Wheate is, but there commeth from other places [Page] great aboundaunce thereof, as in like manner there doeth of other victualls. The Citie is great, and all the houses be of straw, (onely the houses of their Idolls, Chappels, and the Kings houses except) which are of lyme and stone, and co­uered with tyle, for none but they are permitted by theyr lawes to haue anye other manner of building then with strawe. It was inhabited by Gentiles of sundry sects, and by Moores which were great Merchaunts, and so rich, that some of them had fiftie ships. There is no such season of Winter, but that there may lye in that Harbour sixe hun­dred shippes. They haue there a shore whether they do ca­ry them with small trauaile, for that they be made without nailes, sowed with ropes of Cayro, and pitched vpon, they haue no quiell, but are flat bottomed.

¶Of what great power the King of Calicut is, and of his vse and custome: likewise of the other Kings of Malabar, and how the Nayres do liue. Chapter. 14.

FOr that this Citie was of so great a trade, and also the Countrey round about, so in­habited, which increased so largelye the Kings rents, it came to passe, that he grew to be so rich of money, and so mightie in power by multitude of people, that in one daye he was able to leauie and make in a readinesse thirtie thousand fighting men, and in thrée dayes space, one hun­dred thousand. They called him Samoryn, which in theyr tongue is Emperour, for so he was among the Kings of Malabar, and there were no more but two beside him: that is to say the King of Coulan and the King of Canauor: For albeit the others were called Kings, yet were they not so.

[Page 34] This King of Calycut was a Bramene, The elec­tion and suce [...]isiō of the kings of Calicut. as others his Predecessours also were, which amongst the Malabars are Priests, and for that it is a custome and auncient order ob­serued, that all the Kings doe dye in one Pagode, which is the house of praiers to their Idolls, he is elected for that cause, for alwayes in the same house there must be and is, a King to serue those Idolles, and when he that serueth there doeth dye, then must the King that then raygneth and gouerneth, leaue his Empire, and goe serue in that place as the other did, and into his place and Kingdome, they elect and put an other, that shall so succeede him.

And if anye of them that is in possession of the King­dome, refuse to goe into the Pagode, (the King that then serueth in the same béeing dead) they will then inforce him thereto which so refuseth, although it be against his will. These Kings of Malabar be browne men, and goe naked from the gyrdell vpwarde, and from thence downewarde, they be couered with cloath of silke and of Cotten: some­time they put vppon them shorte gownes, which they doe call Basus of silke or cloath of golde, and of scarlet with very rich stones: and especiallye the King of Calycut ex­celleth in those attires and Iewells. They be shauen, leauing vpon the vpper lip as the Turkes vse, the hayre vnshauen. They be serued but with small estate, especi­allye at theyr meate, whereof they haue but lyttle: But the King of Calycut is serued, with greater E­state.

These Kings doe not marrie, nor obserue the Lawe of marriage,the kings Lemman vvith hir state and allovvāce but yet they maye haue a Lemman of the house of the Nayres, which amongest the Malabars are Gentlemen, and shée hath hir house by hir self, neere to the Pallaice. They doe allowe hir so lyberallye for hir charges and maintenaunce, that she maye haue plentifullye of all thinges to hir contentation, vppon that Stypende assigned hyr.

And when any disliking is had of hir by them, they may [Page] alwayes leaue hir and such children as they haue by hir, be not taken or accompted for theyrs, neither doe they inhe­rite the Kingdome, nor anye thing of theyrs.

After they be men, they are had in no more estimation, then that is incident vnto them from the mothers bloud and parentage. Their brothers doe inherite if they haue any, if not, then their sisters children shall, who doe not marry, nei­ther yet haue any certaintie of their husbands. They bée very frée and at libertie, to choose those of whom they lyke, and be such as are best estéemed of. They haue verye great rents allowed them: and when anye of them come to the age of ten yeares, (for at that time they are to be knowen of men) their kinred then doe sende forth out of this king­dome, for a young man Nayre, and presenting him with gifts, earnestly request the same to take hir virginitie, who then receiueth hir with great ioy, and after she is thus vsed, doth tye about hir necke a Iewell, which she doth carry and weare alwayes during hir life, as a thing in great estima­tion, & for a token of the libertie giuen hir by that act, to do with hir bodie afterward for euer, what she will: for with­out this manner of ceremonie, they may not know any mā. These Kings sometimes haue warres one with another, & they in their owne persons goe into the fieldes, yea, and if néed so require, they also fight: when they die, they be caried out from their pallaice into a plain field, wher they be bur­ned with great quantitie of wood of sanders & a swéet wood called Aguila. At this burning are alwaies present all his brothers, & néerest kinred, and al the noble men of the coun­trey. And they make staye of him from burning after his death thrée daies, that they all may repaire thether & come together, to sée and viewe whether he came to his death na­turallye, or whether he were killed: for if he dyed by force of anye mans hande, then are they bounde to take reuenge thereof.

After hée is burned, and all the ashes buryed, they doe all shaue themselues without leauing any hayre, yea, euen of the least childe that is a Gentile. [Page 35] All of them in generall doe then cease from eating of Be­tele, during the space of thirtéene daies, and he that doth eate the same infringeth their law, and therefore they wil cut his lips, and that by iustice: In all this time, the prince which shall succéed doth not command nor gouerne, which is done of purpose, to sée whether in that time anye man will come to saie or obiect any thing against him. These things and daies, thus done and past, the noble men of the Countrie doe cause him to bée sworne, to all those lawes & customs, which were made by his predecessour, and to pay all his debts: Also that hée shall trauaile to recouer what­soeuer things of his kingdome before were lost: This oath he taketh hauing his swoorde in his lefte hande, and in the right hande a Candle burning, which hath a ring of golde vppon it, which he toucheth with two of his fingers, and so taketh his oath. This being done, they throwe or powre vpon him a few graines of Rice, with many such other ce­remonies, in dooing whereof they say many prayers, and he worshippeth then the Sunne, three times, which so done, the Caymayles, that be Lords by parentage doe immediat­ly holding the selfe same Candle, sweare to be true subiects vnto him.

The thirtéene daies béeing ended, they all then doe eate Betele againe, and flesh and fish as before, the king onely except, who then taketh thought and sorroweth for the death of his predecessour: whose manner of mourning is thus: He must not by the space of one whole yeare, eate any flesh or fish, or yet Betele, neither must he shaue his beard, nor cut his nailes, nor eate but once in a daie, and must wash himselfe all his bodie ouer, before he doe eate, and praie certeine houres in the daye: After the yeare is past and ended, he then vseth a certeine ceremonie for the soule of the king his predecessour, which is much like to our Dirge, whereat are assembled an hundreth thousand per­sons, at which time he giueth great almes, when this ce­remonie is finished, they then confirme the Prince for in­heritour of the kingdome, and so all the people do depart. [Page] The king of Calicut and all the other kings of Malabar, haue one especiall man that hath the charge for administra­tion of iustice, and doth command & is obeyed in all other matters of gouernement as amplie as the king himselfe.Naires, & vvhat theyr degree, office, & calling is. The men of warre which the king of Calicut & the other kings haue, are Nayres, which be all Gentlemen, and are appointed to no other office or affaires, but to fight when néede requireth. They be all Gentiles, and carrie their ar­mour wherewith they fight themselues, which is bowes, arrowes, speares, daggers made like a hooke, and targets, and march with them very honourably and gallantly, but they goe naked, carrieng onely certeine linnen cloth of cot­ten painted, with the which they couer themselues from the girdle to the knée, they are bare footed: and weare vppon their heads certeine towels. They all liue by the king, and by the noblemen of the countrie, of whome they haue ordi­narie stipends and allowaunce for their maintenaunce: They doe so greatly estéeme and make account of theyr gentrie, and of their cleanlinesse, that they will not touch a­ny husbandman, neither permit any of them to come into their houses. The husbandmen are bound when they goe in the stréetes to crie with a lowde voyce, and saye, Hoo they goe, for if these Gentlemen doe come, and bid them goe out of the way, and they doe not obey their commaun­dement therein: then may they kill them: The king cannot make Gentlemen, except they be of the stocke of Gentle­men. They serue very well and faithfully, with them of whome they haue their interteinment, and vnder whose obeysaunce they liue, not sparing by night nor daie, anye opportunitie of time for shewe of their best indeauour in seruice of the same, nor making anye account of meat or of theyr person or of sléepe, whensoeuer their trauell or dilligence, may take effect or purpose of well doing. They haue so small charge and occasion of expence, that with halfe a crowne a péece (which is their ordinarie allowance for one moneth) they may very well and sufficiently, main­teine themselues, and each of them a boye to serue him. [Page 36] The Nayres by the law of the country, cannot marry, and for that cause they haue no children certain, but those which they haue are begotten of Lemmans, with which thrée or fowre of them do lie, by accord & agréement had and deter­mined amongest themselues, hauing one woman onelye to serue that purpose, vnlesse any cause or quarrell growe a­mongest them, and euerye one of them shall be with her a whole daie, accompting from the one halfe of the daye pre­sent wherein he commeth, to the other halfe of the day next following, at which time he departeth from hers, and then commeth another, who continueth the lyke time: Thus they passe ouer and spend their life time without care and trouble of wife and children: They mainteine their lem­mans verie well according to their degrées and birth. And if any of them will at any time leaue and forsake her, they may at their pleasure doe it, and likewise she maye refuse anye of them at her will. These women are all Gentle­women, for the Nayres amye not take anye Countrie wo­men, and they also doe not marrie: And for that there bée so many men to one women, they take not them for theyr children which bée begotten of her, although the same bée lyke vnto them: and therefore theyr brothers children, doe inherit their lands, and haue their goods: This lawe that these Gentlemen shoulde not marrie, the king ordeined and made, for that they hauing no wiues nor children, on whom they should haue care and fixe their loue, might the better indure the warres, and liue at more libertie to serue in the same.

And because they are Gentlemen, and that they should be the more animated and incouraged to liue in that order,The Cali­cutiās kill no kine for they vvorship them. and to serue well, they be so priuiledged, that none of them can be imprisoned for any cause, nor be put to death by a­ny meane of ordinarie iustice: Howbeit when one of them doth▪ kill another, or else doth kill a Cowe, (which amongst them is taken for a greate sinne, for that they worshippe them) or sléepe or eate with a countrie woman, or speake euill of the king. [Page] Then will the king, hauing true information of any of these offences, giue out his warrant in writing vnder his owne hand, directed to one Nayre, commaunding him therby, that he with two or thrée other, doe forthwith kill the Nayre, that hath so offended and sinned contrarie to the Law: By vertue of which warrant, they hew and cut him with their swoords, wheresoeuer they doe finde him, and when he is dead, they hang vpon him the kings writing, to the end that all men may know and vnderstand wherefore they killed him: These Nayres cannot take their weapons, nor enter into any combat, before they be armed knights: when they atteine to the age of seauen yeares, they bée forthwith set to learne to play at all weapons; & to the ende they should bée very perfect, their Maisters doe hale and wrest the ioyntes of their armes, and afterward they teache them their fence such as bée apt for the same: The weaponnes that are most vsed amongest them be Swoords and Targets. The Maisters which teach them, be graduats in the wea­pons which they teach, and they bée called in their langu­age Panycaes. They be reuerenced amongest the Nayres, & euery scholler of theirs whatsoeuer, although he be olde, or if hée be a great noble man, shall at all times when he séeth him, doe to him reuerence and worship, and this by lawe is ordeined: and further all of them are bound to take at their hands a lesson two monthes in euery yeare, during theyr liues: By reason whereof they be very perfect and skilful in theyr weapons, and for that cause they greatly estéeme of themselues.

When any of them will be an armed knight, hée then goeth well accompanied with all his kinred and friends, & presenteth himselfe before the king, to whome he first offe­reth thréescore Fannons of golde, which is a certeine kinde of money amounting to the value of thrée crownes. Wher­vpon the king doth immediatly aske him, whether he will kéepe and obserue the order and custome of the Nayres? Wherevnto he aunswereth and saith, yea. Then hée com­maundeth to put about him a swoorde, and laieng his right [Page 37] hand vpon his head, saith certaine words as though he wold pray ouer him, which he vttereth so [...] as none can heare the same. Afterward he imbraceth him, saieng in his lan­guage these words folowing, which in our tongue, doth sig­nifie or meane: Haue a regard to keepe these Bra [...]es and their Kine. This being done, the Nayre doth fall down and worship the King, and from thence forth he remaineth made Knight. These Nayres when they yéelde themselues to liue and serue any King or Noble man, they binde them­selues to dye with him, and for him: which bond they doe so well obserue and inuiolably kéepe, that if their Master in any warre or otherwise be slaine, they will fight vntill they are killed, which hath done the same acte, and if at that in­stant they cannot accomplish their wills, for that they were not present at the déede doing, then will they goe afterward and séeke them out, and neuer leaue them till they be killed by some manner of deuise. They be great southsayers, they haue good dayes and bad dayes, they worship the Sun, the Moone, the fire, and the Kine, and the first that they do méet in going forth of their house in the morning: they doe ea­sily beléeue whatsoeuer vanitie. The Diuell is oftentimes in them,their god or the di­uell is many times in them. but they say it is one of their Gods or Pagodes, for so they call him: but whosoeuer or whatsoeuer it be, it in­forceth them to vtter terrible words & speaches, which the King doth beléeue. And the Nayre in whome the Diuell is so entred, goeth with a naked sword before the King, alto­gether quaking & trembling, giuing himself cuts & wounds saieng, I am such a God, and I am come to tell thée such a thing, & in this manner he vseth himselfe, crieng out lyke a mad man: and if the King make any doubt of that he saith & doth not presently giue credite to his speache, then doth he rore & send forth greater cryes & giue himselfe greater cuts, vntill such time the King doe beléeue him. There be other linages of people of y^e Malabars, which are of diuers sects & customes, whereof to speake were ouer tedious, & too long to declare: all which doe obaye those Kings, (the Moores onely except) which by reason of the great customes they [Page] paye for their Merchandise, are in great estimation among them.

¶How the Captaine generall sent one of his bani­shed men to Calycut, and how a Moore of Tu­nis came and spake with him, by whose meanes he sent a messenger to the King of Calycut, and how he returned answere to the Generall. cap. 15.

THe Captaine generall being come to an Ankor without the Barre or Recife of Calycut, he sent one of his banished men in the selfe same Almaydes or boats which they brought thether, for two respects: the one to sée what Countrey it was: the other to make tryall how we should be receiued, because we wer Christians, beléeuing also y^• the people there wer christened: & when this banished man was landed, ther came immedi­atly a great number of people to sée him as a stranger: they asked of the Malabars which went with him, what he was? Who aunswered, that they déemed him to be a Moore, and that he came with those which are in the thrée shippes they doe sée without the Barre at Ankor. Whereof they of Ca­lycut greatly meruailed, for that his apparrell was far dif­ferent from that which the Moores y^• come from y^• straights, doe vse to weare. Thus flocked about him much people, & some that had the Algarauia tongue, spake vnto him, but he hauing no vnderstanding thereof could not nor did make a­ny aunswere or speaches vnto them, at which also they in like manner greatly meruailed, for that being a Moore (as they déemed) he did not vnderstand the Algarauia language: Neuerthelesse going with him in this manner, and verelye yet beléeuing he was a Moore, they caried him to the house of two Moores,Bontaybo a More of Barbarie, dvvelling in Calicut which were naturally borne in Tunys in Barbarie, and were then come to dwell in Calicut. To whom being brought, one of them whose name was Bon­taybo could speake the Spanish tongue, & did well knowe [Page 38] the Portingals as he said afterward, hauing séene them in Tunys in the time of y^e King Don Ioan in the ship called Lareyna which the same King sent thether manye times to séeke for such things as he and his subiects hadde néede of. And as soone as the banished man was entered into their house, the Moore spake vnto him and sayd: I giue thee to the Diuell, who brought thee hether, which words was vttered in y^e Spanish tongue. And after he asked him what way he had gone and trauailed, that he was come to this place: wherevnto the banished man aunswered & told him, shewing also, how many ships the Generall had ther, wher­at Bontaybo meruailed, and wondred how they could come by Sea thether. Then he asked him what they sought so farre off? And he aunswered that they came to séeke Chri­stians and spices. Moreouer Bontaibo asked why y^e Kings of Fraunce and Spaine, & the Duke of Venice did not also sende thether? Whereto the banished man made aunswere, that [...] y^e King of Portingale would not giue his consent they should so doe: Bontaybo replieng thereto, sayde, that he did well & wisely therein. Thus hauing talked a while, he gaue him very good entertainment, and commaunded to giue him certaine Cakes, made of the flower of Wheate, which the Malabars do call Apes, and with the same honnie. After be had well eaten, Bontaybo aduised him to go to the ships, & said he would goe with him, (as indéede he did) to see y^e Cap­taine generall. And being come to the Admirall which was then entered, Bontaybo then began to say to the General in Spanish: Good lucke, good lucke, many Rubies, many Eme­raulds: thou art bound to giue great thankes to God, for that he hath brought thée where there is all kinde and sorts of spices, stones, and all the riches of the worlde.

When they hearde him so saye, they all meruayled greatlye thereat, for they before woulde not haue be­léeued, that there hadde béene anye man so farre off from Portingale, that coulde vnderstande theyr lan­guage.

Wherefore with wéeping teares which they then plentiful­ly [Page] shed for ioye and pleasure they had conceiued, as well for the same, as also for their safe and happie arriuall there, they then gaue to God most humble and heartie thankes through whose onely fauour, good will, and pleasure, that good lucke and great good benefite, had happened to them. And then the Generall imbraced Bontaybo, and caused him to sit downe by him, asking him if he were a Christian, and how he came to Calicut? For aunswere whereto y^• Moore told him of whence he was, and what he was, and how he came to Calicut by the way of Cayro, also he shewed him by what meanes he came to knowledge of Portingals, and that alwaies he had bene a friend to them, for that in all respects & at all times, their doings & manners appeared to him to be good and worthy of friendship. Finally he sayde, that as he had in time past bene a friend to them, so would he now at this present continue his good will, and was rea­dy and would be to doe all that in him was to pleasure & further them, and the effect of their purpose in comming the­ther. The Captaine generall gaue him great thankes, and promised to recompence him very liberally in respect of that his good will, and for any pleasure or friendship he shoulde thenceforth shew to him and his company, he shuld be wel assured to be thankfully considered of. Declaring also that he was the most ioyfull man of all the world to finde him there, and to haue him for a friend and an ayde, verely belée­uing that God had sent him thether, to giue an ende to the enterprise of the voyage, which he so desired in discouering of those Indias, and had entered into, and passed through so many daungers by long tract of time to attaine vnto the same, and now notwithstanding his arriual ther, he thought to haue but small fruite of his trauaile, without his helpe & friendly furtheraunce.

Then he requested him to declare, what manner of man the King of Calycut was, and whether he thought he would receiue him with good wil as an Embassadour from the King of Portingale.

[...] Bontaybo aunswered, that the King of Calycut, [Page 39] was a very good man and of an honourable disposition,The king of Cali­cuts grea­test reue­nue riseth by custōe of Mer­chandise. and that he no doubt would receiue him gladly, for Embassa­dour, from a straunge king, especially if his comming were to settle and intreate for establishment of tract or trade of merchaundise in Calicut, and had brought with him anye kinde of Merchaundise for that purpose: For (said Bontai­bo) as there doth grow great aduauntage and profit by cu­stome thereof to the king, so is the same indéede the verye principall rents or reuenewes he hath for his maintey­naunce: Moreouer he informed the Generall that the king at that instant was in a certaine village fiue leagues from Calicut, scituated along the coast, named Panane, whether he aduised him to send vnto him, & to declare of his arri­uall and comming thether. The Generall very well liking of the speaches and aduise of Bontaybo, did therefore giue vnto him certeine gifts, and sent with him two of his men in message to the king of Calicut, Certeine messēgers sent by y^e Captaine generall to y^e king of Calicut requesting Bontaybo to direct them on their waye to Panane, which he accor­dingly did. These messengers being nowe come before the king, one of them whose name was Fernan Martyn, by an interpretour which he had, declared vnto him, that he came from his Captaine who is arriued in the port of Calicut with certeine shippes, ‘and is come thether from the king of Portingale, of purpose to bring him letters, which the same Captaine is readie to come and present vn­to him, if it so stoode with his good liking and pleasure, whereof to vnderstand he then had sent him, and his fel­lowe there present. The king hearing this message, com­maunded before he would make aunswere thereto, to giue to each of them a certeine péece of lynnen cloth made of Cotten,’ and two of silke whith were very good, and euen such wherewith he was accustomed to girdle himselfe: And after these péeces were so giuen them, he then deman­ded of Fernan Martyn, what king that was which hadde sent him those letters, and how farre from thence his king­dome was, wherevnto Fernan aunswered and fully infor­med him touching that demaund, declaring also that he was [Page] a Christian prince, & that all those whom he had sent were christians, hauing past many troubles and daungers vpon the sea, before their arriuall there at Calicut. The king hea­ring all the discourse of their voiage (wherof Fernan Mar­tynes somwhat at large informed him) did greatly maruell at the same, & shewed himselfe to be right glad, y^• a Prince of so great a power as the king of Portingale was, & being also a christian, would send an Ambassadour to him: And therefore he sent word to the Generall that he and his cō ­panie were hartelye welcome into his Countrie, requiring him to bring his ships to an ankor néere, to a village na­med Padarane (which is somwhat beneath the place where they first came to an ankor) being a far better harbour then that of Calicut, which is an open roade & very dangerous for the ships: And appointed that from thence, the General shuld go by land to Calicut, wher he wold be to speak with him: And therw^t he sent a Pilot, who conuaied the ships to the port of the same village, howbeit when he had conduc­ted them to the bar thereof, the Generall woulde not enter so far within the same, as y^• Pilot would gladly haue had him to haue done, fearing indéed that some thing might af­terward happen to his preiudice, if he shuld giue ouer farre credit to those people, & came within the compasse of anye their forces, wherein he dealt very aduisedly and wisely, pre­uented such iniury as was offered him.

How the king of Calicut sent for the Captaine Generall and after what sort he was carried to Calicut. Cap. 16.

THe Captaine being come néere to this har­bour, his dispatch was sent him from y^• Ca­tuall of Calicut, in y^e which there was sig­nified y^• he was come to Pandarane, by the kings commaundement, with other noble men, for to beare him company vnto Cali­cut, and therefore he might at all times when y^• it should [Page 39] please him, disimbarke himself: But for y^• the day was past y^• Captaine General excused himselfe as at y^• present, & also y^• he would first take counsell of his Captaines, & other the principall of his Fléet, touching his landing, who being all ioyned together, said vnto them, y^• he minded to go to sée y^• king of Calicut, & to settle there a trade, and perpetuall friendship. Against the which his going, his brother repug­ned, alleadging y^• it was not conuenient y^• he shuld so doe. For albeit y^• they were christians,Moores mortall enimies to christi­ans▪ yet y^• ther were amongst them many Moores, which were to be feared least thy wold procure his destruction, since that they were his mortall enimies. For when that they doe remember how those of Monsambicke and Mombassa, for onely passing by theyr ports, would haue killed them all: What should they looke for, of those of Calicut, knowing that they will mixture themselues with you & yours: quoth he, you séeking to haue the trade where they haue the same, & so to diminish this their profit and gaine? He tolde him therefore that it is the sooner to be beléeued, that they wold procure with all their force possible to destroy him, yea, although they knew that the beginning and end of the same did depend vppon his death, and that therefore there woulde not lacke wayes to put the same deuice in execution, who being once dead, for all the griefe the king shoulde take therewith, yet hée could not raise him againe to lyfe. And that so much the more they béeing as it were naturall inhabitauntes there, and he a méere straunger.

Moreouer who doth know what the king doth passe for his death, and what shall become of them all after the same is procured.Princes & Generalls ought to be eareful of their persons in respect of their place and charge. And if so be that they shuld be cast away altoge­ther, then were all theyr trauaile lost. To excuse all this, and that they might remaine vppon this good assuraunce, it were very good sayd hée, that hée did not goe a shoare, but that hee did sende one of them, or some other, who might doe that which he shoulde doe, for those that are Captaines in especiallye Generalls shoulde not aduenture themselues in such daungers, but where there were [Page] such great necessitie, that they coulde not otherwise excuse themselues. Of this minde were all the rest of the compa­nie, vnto whome the Captaine Generall aunswered, that although he knew or did vnderstand y^t by his comming it were present death vnto him, yet he woulde not let but goe and visit the King of Calicut, and the rather to sée whether he would settle a friendship and trade there, and to haue out of his Citie, Spices and other commodities, for that the same (at our arriuall in Portingale) might represent as a witnesse the discouerie of Calicut. For if so be that at the end of so long a time God did returne vs thether with­out: then said he, it would be hard to be beléeued that wée had discouered Calicut: And our credit and honour woulde stand in suspence or ballance, vntill such time there should come persons of credit from thence, that shoulde declare that to bée true which we had affirmed. Therefore doe you not thinke but y^t I had rather die then suffer so long time, as we haue spent, and are lyke to spend, and others shall come to discouer y^e truth of our seruice: so that in the meane while, those that are enuious, should iudge our trauaile as it shuld please them, certeinly I had rather die then to tar­rie vpon the same: Much more friends I doe not aduen­ture my selfe to so great a daunger of death as you do sur­mise, neither yet that they should remaine in so great dan­ger, as you doe presuppose, for I goe to a Countrie where there are Christians and to talke with a king, which is de­sirous that vnto his Citie should come many Merchants, for the profit that doth arise thereby vnto him: for the more Merchants that do resort vnto it, the more wil be his profit. I doe not goe thether to stay there many daies that the Moores shall haue any such time to vse anye treason a­gainst me. And for so much as I doe minde to talke with the king it shall haue an end, and that within thrée dayes▪ and in this time you may be in a readinesse: And as touch­ing the honour and credit that I shall get by making or establishing this trade, if it please God that he doe accept the same I will not giue it for any treasure. And the king [Page 41] can settle the same with no other better then with me, for that he will estéeme me, and beare some reuerence towards me, being once knowen vnto him that I am the Captaine generall of this Fléete, and the King of Portingales Em­bassadour, rather then with any other person whatsoeuer. Furthermore whosoeuer he be that shall goe in my steede, the King will thinke himselfe to be mockt, or that I do not esteeme him, as one that is worthy that I shoulde goe to speake with him, or els that I doe not trust him on his word. Besides all this, I cannot giue so large instructions to him that I should send thether, that he might doe in all things which is néedfull as much as I my selfe: and if so be that for my sinnes he shoulde kill me, or take me as a prisoner, it were a great deale better for me that ther shuld chaunce to me all this for doing of my duetie, then to re­maine alyue, and not to doe the same. And you my friendes remaining in the Sea and in good ships,The Ge­nerall de­termined to goe to Calicut as soone as you shal heare that any of these things shall chaunce vnto me, get you hence, and carrie newes of this our discouerie, and as touching this, let there be no farther talke, for that I by the grace of God will goe to Calicut to sée the King. When that his determination was perceiued, they all assented that they were contented with his going: and therevpon they appointed him twelue of his men to goe with him, that is to say, Diego Dias his Secretarie and Fernan Martines the interpretour, Iohn de Sala, which was afterward Treasurer of the house of the Indias. &c. So that with him in all they were thirtéene. They appointed also that in his absence ther should remaine for Captaine generall his brother. Also hée gaue commaundement that he shoulde not suffer any man to come aboord his ship, and all those that were desirous to goe aboord to commaund them to remaine in their boate or Almadias. Moreouer he left order with Nicholas Coello, that he should come euery day with his boate as néere vnto y^e shore as he could. These things being setled, the next day after being Mundaye, the xxviij. of May, the Captaine gene­rall did imbark himself with those twelue before rehearsed, [Page] they all being apparailed in the best attire that they had, & their boates furnished with much ordinaunce, flagges, and trumpets, which went alwaies sounding, vntill such time y^t y^e Captaine general came to land, whereas y^e Catual was tar­rieng for him, being accompanied with 200 Nayres, which attended ther continually: besids many others y^• wer not of that company, & besides many also, y^t were of y^t towne. The Captaine generall being disimbarked,The Cap­taine Ge­nerall go­eth a lād. was ioyfully receiued of y^r Catuall, & of y^e others y^t did accompany him, as though they were very glad of his comming, & after y^t he was thus receiued, he was taken into an Andor, which y^• King of Ca­licut had sent to bring him vpon, for y^t in this countrey they are not accustomed to goe a horsebacke, but in these Andors, which are like vnto a horslitter, sauing y^t they are w^tout any couer ouer them, & almost plaine, y^e sides therof are also very low. Each of these Andors, when they will occupie y^e same, are caried w^t 4. men vpon their sholders, which also doth run post w^t thē, at such time as y^e king & noble men do make a­ny great iourny, or if so be y^t they wil go a great ground in a small time: for they may trauell in y^e same either sitting or lieng, as they wil themselues. Also ther go with these cer­tain footmen, which carie with them hats, wherwith to couer those y^• go in these Andors, which they do call Bueys, so that by this meanes, they are kept from y^• sunne & the raine, ther are also other Andors, y^• which haue ouer thē a cane bowed like vnto a hoope, which for y^• they are made very slight, may easily carie those 2. men. The Captaine generall being moū ­ted in this Andor, departed w^t the Catuall, who was carried in another Andor, to a town called Capocate, but all y^e rest of the cōpany went afoote, the people of the country was cō ­maunded by the Catuall to carie all such apparel as our mē had brought vp w^t thē, which was ther redeliuered vnto thē, & being in Capocate, they staid to refresh themselues: where the Captaine generall being in one house & the Catuall in another they did eate,the fruits of Calicut & to al our men was giuen to eat sod­den fish, w^t rice & butter, besides fruits of y^e countrey, which differ from ours very much, yet they are very good. The one [Page 42] sort of these is called Lacas, and the other Mangas, howbeit they haue figs also. The water y^t they did drinke, was very excellent, as good as any in Portingal. Thus after they had eaten, they went againe to imbark themselues, for that they shuld go vp a riuer, which from thence runneth into the sea: the Captaine generall did imbarke himselfe with his com­pany into 2. Almadias, lieng the one close to the other, which in y^• countrey they did call Ensangada. The Catuall w^t his traine were imbarked in many others, and the people that came to the riuers side to sée and view our men were with­out number, for so much as that countrey is well inhabited. And after that they had gone in this riuer about a league, and that along the shores side, they saw lieng a ground ma­ny great ships, the Captaine generall with the Catuall be­ing disimbarked, did returne to their Andors, and following their waye, there resorted alwayes about them thousandes of people to sée them, wherein they tooke such a felicitie that the very women also with their children hanging at theyr backes, did not féele the waye they went in, following to féed their eyes. From this place which I haue made menti­on of, the Catuall did carrie him vnto a certaine Pagode of their Idolls, into which when they were entred, he told him that the same was a Church of great deuotion, which the Captaine generall beléeued to be true, & to be some church of the Christians, & therfore he gaue the more credit therevnto, the rather for that he saw y^t ouer the principall dore therof, there hanged seuen little bells, & afore the same there was a pillour made of wier, the which was as high as the mast of a ship, vpon the top thereof there stoode a wether cock, made likewise of wier. This church was as great as a good Mo­nestary, and was made all of frée stone, and couered or vau­ted ouer with bricke, which gaue an outwarde shewe, as though within side it shoulde be of verye faire workman­shippe. Our Captaine was very glad to sée the same, for that he thought himselfe to be among Christians, and en­tering within this Church with the Catuall, they were receiued by certaine men, naked from the girdle vpwarde, [Page] and from thence downe to the knée, couered with certaine linnen cloth made of cotten, with y^• which their arme holes were couered also, without any thing vpon their heads, and vpon their left sholders they had certaine number of thrids, which came vnder their right shoulders, much like as the Priests were wont to weare their stoles héere amongst vs, when they went to Masse. These men are called Cafres and are Gentiles, which serue in Malabar in their Pagodes, who with a sprinkle tooke water out of a certaine fountaine & threw the same vpon the Captaine generall & vpon the Ca­tuall and on the rest of the companye.Holy vva­ter of Calicut After all this they gaue them Saunders in pouder to cast the same vpon their heads as they did héere their Ashes,Holy ash­es. & as also they shuld do y^e like vpon y^e brawns of their armes, but they could not do so, by reason of their apparrel which they had on, but yet they did not let to doe it on their heads: so going about this Church, they saw many Images painted vpon y^• wal, wher­of some ther wer y^• had great téeth, which appeared to be so monstrous y^t they were of an inch of length without their mouth. Others ther wer y^t had foure armes, & therwith wer so ill fauoured, that they séemed to be very diuells, y^t which sight made our men stand in doubt, whether the same wer a Church of Christians or no. Being come afore the Chappel which stood in y^e midst of their Church, they perceiued y^t the same had a certain little roofe, made much after y^e manner of a tower, y^• which was also builded of frée stone, & in a parte of this roofe ther was a dore made of wire, by y^• which a mā might enter into it: the going vp to the same tower, was by a staire of stone: within this tower, which indéed was some­what dark, was inclosed in y^t wall a certain Image y^• which our men beheld a far off, for y^t they would not suffer thē to go néere y^• same,The Ge­nerall de­cerued, cō mitteth Idolatry vvith the Diuell. saieng y^t ther was none y^• could go thether, but thos y^• wer Cafres, howbeit they made a signe to the I­mage, naming y^• same our Lady, giuing therby to vnderstād that it was hir Image. The Captain generall supposing the same to be true, fell vpon his knées, with y^• rest of y^• cōpany making their praiers: but one whose name was Iohn de Sa­la, [Page 45] being in doubt whether y^e same church wer of christians or not, for y^• he saw so mōstrous Images painted on y^• wals, as he fel on his knées said, If this be y^e diuel, I worship god. The Captaine Generall that heard him say so, looking vp­pon him laughing. The Catuall and his companie as they came before this Chappell, did fall downe flat vppon the ground with their hands before them, and this they did thrée times, and afterward they arose and made their prai­ers standing.

¶How and after what sort the Captaine Ge­nerall was receiued in Calicut, & how hee tolde the king his message which he carri­ed. Cap. 17.

FRom this place he went forward on his way, vntill such time he came to Calicut, and at the entering of the same, they carri­ed him w^t the rest of his company to ano­ther Pagode, lyke vnto that which he had séene before, and when that he would haue entered into the Citie, the people were so many, as well of those that came forth of the same for to sée our men, as al­so of those that went with him, that for the multitude of them, he could not goe in the stréets, insomuch that the Ge­nerall meruailed to sée so many people: and when as hée sawe himselfe to be there, he gaue God great thankes, for bringing him vnto that Citie, most humbly desiring him, so to guide him, that he might returne to Portingale, with his whole request & desire. After that he had gone awhile in that stréete, into which he entered, for that the people wer so many that he could not passe through it, insomuch that those that did carry him vpon his Andor, were driuen to go with the Catuall into a house. Thether came to beare the Captaine Generall companie, the Catualls brother who was a noble man, and sent by the kings commaundement to accompanie him to the kings pallaice, who also brought with him many Nayers, and before them went manye Trumpets and Sagbuts, vppon the which they went all [Page] sounding. And also there was one Nayre which carried a Caléeuer which he shot of, now & then. After y^t the Captaine generall & this noble man was thus ioyfully receiued, they tooke their way straight to y^e pallaice, with a great noise, y^• which those instruments & the people together made, which after y^t the Catuals brother was come, gaue place & follow­ed after them, with as great obedience as if y^e king had ben there in his owne person. There went along with thē fully thrée thousand men with their wepons, besids those y^t stood vpon y^e penthouses, & at their dores, which wer w^tout num­ber. The Captaine generall was very glad to sée how well he was receiued, & said vnto those y^t he caried w^t him, with a mery coūtenance, how litle do they thinke in Portingale of this our gret receiuing, & with this they came to y^e kings pallace an houre before y^e Sun set. The kings pallace (lea­uing aside y^t the same was made of earth) was very great,The de­scriptiō of the kings pallaice, which séemed to be of a goodly building, for y^e great multi­tude of trées which did appeare betwéene y^e houses, & these wer stāding in goodly gardēs, in y^e which wer plesāt flowrs, swéet hearbs, & foūtains of water to recreate y^e king w^tall, for y^t he neuer goeth frō this pallace til y^t he departeth from Calicut. Out of this pallace there came sūdry Caimales, & other noble men to receiue y^e captain general, which brought him to a certein gret court y^t was right before y^e gates, & frō thence they wēt into 4. other seueral yards or courts. At y^e gate of each of which, ther wer .x. porters, which gates they passed w^t giuing y^e people many & sūdry blows, which y^e por­ters bestowed vpō thē to make roome, y^t we might go in: & being come to y^e last gate which was in y^e house where the king himself was, ther came forth an old little man, which was Bramene Maior of y^e kings house, who imbraced the captaine general, & caried him in w^t those y^t wer with him. Bramene Maior is the kings high Priest, & the chiefest of the religious mē of his gentility. At this entring the people wonderfully pressed thēselues to go in, for that they see the king but by great chaunce, as going but few times abroad out of his pallace, & wold therfore haue entered w^t our mē to see him. The multitude was so great y^t there wer some of [Page 44] thē stifled, as also ther had ben two of our mē so vsed, if so be y^• they had not gone before, & it had smally profited to lay on y^• people w^t their staues to y^• end to make more roome, if so be ther had not ben many of thē hurt, wherw^t they gaue place y^• our mē might enter. Moreouer those noble mē which did accompany the Captaine general, at this third gate en­tred into the house wher the king was, the which was ve­ry great: all the same was cōpassed about w^t seats made of timber,The de­scription of y^• kings presence chamber. one aboue y^• other as the Theatres are: the floore of the same was al couered ouer w^t gréene veluet, & the hang­ings about the wals were of silke of sundry colours. The king himself was of colour brown, & of a great stature & of good yeres, he was lieng vpon his Estrado y^• which was co­uered ouer w^t a cloth of white s [...]lke & gold & a rich estate ouer him, Estrado is a seat made of boords. On his head he had a night cap, made much like vnto a salet, after y^• old sort which was couered ouer w^t stone & pearle, & in his ears he ware iewels of y^• same sort. He had vpō him a iacket of fine cotten, y^e buttons wherof were of great pearle, & the butten holes were of gold thréed, he had about his middle a white cloth made of y^• forsaid cottē, y^• which reched down vnto his knées, y^• fingers of his hāds & toes wer ful of rings of gold, in y^e which were set very fine stone, & on his armes & legs many bracelets of golde: hard to this Estrado, there was a certein yewer y^• which had a high foot wrought al of gold, & is of y^• making of y^e Flanders cups, & that plaine, albeit they are greater & not so déepe:the kings Vitele. in this was y^e Vitele which the king doth chaw in his mouth, w^t salt & Areca, which is an apple no bigger thē a nut in Conserua. This is eatē in all y^e Indias, for y^• the same doth make a good breth, drieth y^• sto­mack & killeth y^• thirst, which being chawed in péeces hée throweth y^• same out of his mouth, & taketh another. And for y^t the king shuld not swallow y^• same downe, there is prepared a vessel of gold for him to spit in, which is as big or litle bigger thē a dish, hauing a foot also of gold. Also he hath a fountaine of gold which is ful of water wherw^t hée washeth his mouth, when he had made an end of chawing this Vitele which he is accustomed to take.

[Page] This Vitele is ministred vnto him by an olde man which standeth hard by the Estrado, all the others that are in this place holde their left hands afore their mouths, to the end their breath should not come where the king is, who taketh the same for great discurtesie, to spit or to s [...]niese, & therefore there is none that breatheth afore the king. The Captaine General being come into this house, made reue­rence to the king, after the vse of the Countrie, which is to stoope or bowe downe thrée times, lifting vp his hands as one that praiseth God. The king immediatly made signes vnto him as willing him to drawe néere vnto him, and commaunded him to sit downe in one of those seates which I haue spoken of, who being thus set, the rest of his men did enter and made him the lyke reuerence, whom the king commaunded likewise to sit down right ouer against him, and that there should be giuen them water for their hands, that they might with the same refresh themselues since they were very hot, for although it was winter yet it was hot. After y^t they had washed their hands, he commaunded to be giuen them Figges and Iacas to eate, and that forth­with, which they did receiue with a good will. The king was very glad to sée them eate, who was very earnest in looking vpon them, and did laugh thereat. Afterward hée tooke occasion to talke with the old man that ministred vn­to him this Vitele, The cu­stome in drinking. and in the meane time our men did cal for water, for that they were a thirst, the which was giuen them to drinke by an Yewer of golde, and when our men did vnderstand y^e order of their drinking was to hold their cup of height ouer their mouths, for y^• the Malabars do take the same for an iniurie to touch y^e cup with their lips, they did therfore hold the same ouer their mouth, in that order that part of the water fell into their throates & made some of them to cough, & vnto others it fell besides their mouths, and vpon their faces, which did runne downe vppon theyr breasts. All this the king was very gladde to sée, who loo­king towards the Captaine Generall, spake vnto him by an interpretour, willing him to speak vnto those that were [Page 41] there, & to tell them his pleasure, & likewise to report vnto him of theirs, with this the Captaine General was nothing contented, for y^t he thought the same a disgracing vnto him, & answered by y^e interpretor y^t he was the king of Portin­gales Ambassadour, which was a mighty king, & that the christian princes did not vse to receiue their imbassage by a third person, but by themselues, & that before very few, & those y^t were of great credit. And for that he did accustome the same order in y^e other countries from whence he came, he wold not therfore vtter his imbassage but only vnto y^e king himself, vnto which the king answered y^t he liked wel therof, & that it shuld be so obserued, & immediatly he com­maunded the Captaine Generall & Fernan Martines to be carried vnto another chamber which was adorned with y^e like estate as the other was, & as wel hanged, & after y^t the Captaine general was ther, y^• king came thether also, but our men remained where they wer first, & this was about the Sun set. The king as soone as he was come into this chamber went to his Estrado, there came no more with him but his interpretor & the Bramene Mayor, & the olde man which doth alwayes giue this Vitele vnto y^e king,The mes­sage that vvas sent to y^e king of Cali­cut from y^e king of Portingal & con­troler of his house. The king & they being ther together, he asked of y^e captain general of what part of y^e world he was & what he wold haue: whervnto he answered, that he was an Ambassadour of a christian king of y^e Occident part, & of a kingdome called Portingale, besides many others, inso­much y^t he is of a great power both in possessions & people, & much more in riches, & all other things necessarie, more then any other king of those parts, & hath so ben for y^e space of these lx. yeres, so y^• those y^t haue ben kings his predeces­sours, hauing the fame brought vnto them, how y^• in the In­dias there, were christian kings & great noble men, in espe­ciall y^e king of Calicut, they were moued the rather to send to discouer y^e same by their Captaines, & to make friendship with the king of y^• country, & to take them for brothers as reason doth bind the king his Maister now to do, & to vi­sit them by his Ambassadors, not y^t he hath any néed of their [Page] riches, for that in his owne countries of golde & siluer and other things of great value, he hath more therof then néede did require. And as for those Captaines whom he did send vnto this discouerie, they haue gone in the same a yeare or two, vntill such time as they haue consumed their victuals and without finding of that which they sought for, haue returned to Portingale, & haue in vaine spent great sums of money. But the king Don Manuel which reigneth as now, & is desirous to make an end of this enterprise, which was begun so long time agone, for that to them ther shuld not lack sufficient victuals, as there did vnto the others be­fore, did therfore giue him thrée shippes that were laden therwith, commaunding him not to returne to Portingale without the discouery of that king of the christians which is Lord of Calicut. And if so be y^t he shuld returne without bringing him relation therof, he would then commaund his head to be cut off. And further he willed him y^• if so be y^• he should chaunce to arriue at the place where the king was, to deliuer him two letters, which he wold present vnto him the next day, for y^t it was then somwhat late. And also that he should tell him that he was his friend & brother, reque­sting him that since that he doth send so far of to séeke him out, that in recompence thereof he would accept of his kin­dred, and friendship, and also that he woulde send him his Ambassadour for the better confirmation of the same, and y^t frō thence forth they wold visit one the other with their embassadours, as it is accustomed amongst christian kings. The king shewed himselfe to bée well pleased with this Embassage,An Am­bassadour promised from Ca­licut. for he tolde the Captaine Generall that hée was very well welcome. And since that the king of Por­tingale would be his friend & brother, he would be the like vnto him, and vpon the same wold send him his Embassa­dour, which thing the Captaine Generall did desire most earnestly, for that he durst not shew himselfe afore y^e king his Master w^tout him. The king did therfore promise him so to do, & that forthwith, he wold dispatch him thether. Af­ter y^• he was desirous to know y^e whole estate of y^e king of [Page 42] Portingale perticularly, & how far of y^t countrie laye from Calicut, & how long he had ben vpon that voiage. And for y^t part of the night was well spent, y^e king willed him to re­tire, demaunding of him first, whether he would goe lye a­mongst the Moores or amongst the Christians, who answe­red that he wold lye with neither of them, but alone, & by himself. The king vpon his answere commanded a certein Moore which was his factor to go & accompany y^e Captaine general, & cōmanded to giue him al things y^t wer necessary.

How the Captaine Generall was minded to sende a pre­sent to the king, but his company would not consent to the same, & how the Moores began to bring the Captaine generall out of credit with the king. cap. 18.

THe Captaine generall being dispatched to go toward his lodging (although y^t foure houres of the night were past) the Catual & the others y^• had accompanied him be­fore, did now the like, & they all going a­foot, ther fell such raine, that y^e stréets ran full therof, & therefore he was driuen to cōmaund some of his men to carry him vpon their backs, (not for the water only) but for y^• it would be late or euer y^• he could come to his lodging, with this y^e Captaine general was so angry, y^• he complained vpon y^e kings Factor, demaunding whether he meant to carry him about the citie all y^e night or not, who answered y^t he could do no otherwise, for y^t y^e city was great & scattered, & so he carried him to his owne house, to rest himselfe a while. And afterward he gaue him a horse, vpon y^e which he might ride. And for y^t this horse was w^t ­out a saddle, y^e Captaine wold not accept the offer, saieng, y^e yet rather he wold go a foot, & so he went vntill such time he came to his lodging, where those y^• did accompany him, left him in a good lodging. And before his comming, his men had brought thether his stuffe, where y^e Captaine generall hauing rested himselfe, & being in great ioy to sée so good be­ginning of his businesse, determined on the next day being Tewsdaie, to send a present to the king. [Page] And for that he knew he could not send the same, but that the Factor and the Catuall should haue the ouersight ther­of, did therefore sende for them that they might haue the view thereof,A present for y^e king of Cali­cut. who béeing come, he shewed the same vnto them, which was foure Capi [...]sis of graine, and sixe hattes, foure braunches of Gorall, twelue Almasares, a fardell of Brasse, in the which there were seauen péeces, a Chest of Sugar, two Barrels of Oile, & two of honnie. The Factor and the Catuall hauing séene these parcels, began to laugh therat, saieng, that y^e same was nothing to present the king withall, for that the poorest Merchant that commeth to his port doth giue him much more then the same, wishing him that since he would néeds giue him a present, to sende him some golde, for that the king woulde not accept any other thing. At this their answere the Captaine general was of­fended, & so he shewed himselfe to be, saieng, that if so be he were a Merchaunt or that his comming thether were to trade, he would then haue brought him golde: But he was no Merchaunt but an Ambassadour, which was the cause he brought none with him, & that this which he doth now send to y^e king of Calicut, is his own goods, & not y^e king his Maisters, who for that he did not certeinly know that hée should haue met with the king of Calicut, did therfore giue him nothing to present him withal: but at his next returne knowing for certeintie that he shall finde him, the king his Maister will send him golde, siluer, & other rich things. To this they answered and sayd that it might be so, howbeit it was accustomed in that countrie, y^e whatsoeuer stranger he be that doth come & speake with the king, he sendeth hm a present, which is according to y^e greatnes of his estate. Vn­to which the Captaine generall did reply, saieng y^t it was good y^t their custome shuld be kept, & that for the preseruatiō of the same, he did make him this present, which is of no greater value, for the cause aboue said: And therefore he de­sired them to suffer him to carrie the same to the king, which if so be y^t they would not let him doe that, then hée would send the same backe to his shippes againe. [Page 47] They aunswered him that immediately he might so do, as he last determined, for that they would not consent that the same should be carried to the King. With this aunswere the Captaine generall was very angry, and said vnto them, that since they would not consent that he should sende that present to the King, he would therefore go himselfe & speak with him, and would now returne to his ships. This was his meaning, to enforme the King what had past about this present. They said y^t it was well done so to do, but for so much as they should remaine with him in the Court a good while, it were for them very necessary to goe about a little businesse in the meane space, which they will go to doe, and immediately retourne to goe with him, since that the King wold not be pleased that he shuld go without them: for so much as he was a straunger, and for that there were ma­ny Moores in the Citie. The Captaine generall giuing cre­dite to their words concerning their retourne, immediately aunswered them that he would tarry for their comming:Treason conspired against the fleete but they did not returne all that daye, for that they were enimies to the Captaine generall, by reason of the Moores, who were his enimies also, and had receiued newes what he had done in Monsambicke, and of the taking of the Sam­buco in Mylynde, and that we were Christians, and that our comming was to discouer Calicut. Bontaybo also told the Moores, that Spices were estéemed in Portingale very much, and that as he iudged they wer not come to discouer Calycut, but to settle there a trade, and to carrie Spices in­to their Countrey, in the which there is of all sorts of Mer­chaunts that come to Calycut by the way of the straights, and great store of golde and siluer, and hauing the Trade setled there, woulde redowne vnto the King great profite thereby. To the which words the Moores gaue great eare, and made their reckoning vpon Bontaybos speach, and al­lowed the same: That we being Christians and once come to settle a Trade in Calycut, their commoditie then would fall of the price they were at, and so would abate the most part of their gaine. About this they layed their heads toge­ther, [Page] to worke all meanes they could possible with the king, to take the Captaine generall prisoner, and to commaunde his ships to be taken also, and to kill all our men, and this the rather, for that in no wise they should retourne to Por­tingale, to carry newes of Calicut. And héerevpon they ioy­ned those that were in credit with the King, and went vn­to him, and one in the name of them all, said vnto the king: That he shoulde not deceiue himselfe with our men,the Mores oratiō to the king for that the Captaine Generall was no Embassadour but a théefe, that went to rob, which they knew for most certaine by their Factors, which had certified them, that assoone as we were come to Monsambicke, wher the Xeque went to visite the Captaine generall aboord his shippe, and sent him presents, and established with him friendship, and also gi­uing him a Pilot to carrie him to Calicut, whether he said that he would goe. He after this shot his Ordinaunce at the towne, with the which he killed of his Subiects, and tooke certaine Sambucos laden with Merchaunts, and handeled both him and his like vnto Enimies. And being departed from thence to Mombassa, likewise vnder y^e color of friend­ship, saieng that he was bound towarde Calicut, the King therevpon tooke occasion to send to visite the Captaine ge­nerall aboord his ship, requesting him to enter into his har­bour, who being determined so to doe, whether that it was for that he saw within the same many ships, or y^t he thought he could not make his partie good, did flye away so fast, that he left one of his Ankors behinde him: and from thence al­so the Pilot ran away, which he caried from Monsambicle, for the ill lyfe which he lead with him, with whipping of him, and putting of him vnto other punishment. And being departed from Mombassa, and come néere vnto Mylynde, did take perforce a Sambuco laden with Moores, of y^e which there were some that dyed in the battaile, & others that are yet aliue remaining captiues. And for that those that were captiues willed him to carry them to Mylynde, saieng, that there they woulde giue him a newe Pilot to carrye him to Calycut, by that meanes onely he came thether. And hauing [Page 48] there by the King of Mylynde bene receiued very well, yet the Captaine generall would no more come a lande, fearing the hurts which he had done, and taking the Moore prisoner which the King had sent to visit him, and would not dely­uer him, vntill such time that he had a Pilot sent him. Wher by it might well be considered, that if so be that he were an Embassadour and were come to maintaine peace, he would neuer haue vsed those disorders, but wold haue brought the King a present with him. Of this his demeanour, we giue thée to vnderstand, as our dutie bindeth vs, that now thou maist doe as thou shalt thinke good therein.The king remain­eth doubt full vvhat to doe. With this newes the king remained amazed, and told the Moores that he would determine himselfe what shall be thought most conuenient: they séeing this, thought the same not to be the waye to cause the King to doe as they would haue him, and did afterward tell the Catuall thereof, who was in great credite with the King, requesting him to perswade with the King, not to receiue any such Embassage as that was, and the cause thereof the rather was, that he tooke this present for so small a valew. With this the Catuall went immedi­ately to the King, who told him what the Moores had said, to whom the Catuall gaue counsaile, to doe as the Moores had requested him: immediately the King began to change his countenaunce against the Captaine generall, but not so much as the same might be perceiued. But as soone as the Moores had knowledge by the Catuall concerning the pre­sent that the Captaine generall would haue sent to y^e King, and that he would not consent therevnto, the Moores tooke occasion to go to y^e Generalls lodging with a fained friend­ship offering themselues to instruct him what he should best doe,The fain­ed friend­shippe of the Mores and talking with him they sayd, that in that Country it was accustomed that those the which came from other places about businesse with the King, shoulde bring him a Present, and therefore it were good that hée did sende him one. The Captaine Generall béeing offended with that iniurye they hadde offered him, and that the Catu­all and the Kings Factour would not consent therevnto, [Page] did vpon the same take occasion to shew them those péeces, the which he was minded for to send, who hauing séene the same, they saide to the Generall, that the Catuall and the Factor had great reason to be offended thereat, for that the same was not a present for to be sent to a King, neyther would they wish him to send it, for that it would be iudg­ed that by the sending thereof he did mocke the King: All this they tolde him, and as they said as friends, in shewing him their minde. Bontaybo told him also in the same man­ner, meruailing what was the cause he brought no other things, since there was plentie of all things in Portingale [...] But the Captaine generall excused himselfe, saieng: that he was not certaine that he should come to Calycut.

¶How the Captaine generall returning spake with the King of Calycut, & how he gaue him license to returne vnto his ships. Chap. 19.

ALL this daye the Captaine generall was greatly offended, for that the Catuall & the Factor were not returned, so that he was once determined to goe to the Court with out them, yet he thought best to tarry till the next daye, on which in the afternoone they came, with whome he shewed himselfe to be offended for their long tarrieng. But they did aunswere him touch­ing that matter nothing at all, but talked of other things, and so went with him to the Court. And for that the King was somewhat chaunged, as I haue said, against the Cap­taine Generall, he did not commaund him to come into his presence in thrée houres after his comming to the Coursie, and then commaundement was giuen ther should come no more in with the Embassadour but two of his owne men, with the which he was offended, for y^• he thought the same seperating from his men, was not meant well, did therfore [Page 49] carry with him Fernan Martines, and one Diego Dias, she which was his Secretary. Being come where the King was, he did not receiue him so well as at the first time, but said vnto him with a seuere countenaunce, that he had tar­ried for him all the day before, and he came not. The Cap­taine generall aunswered, that he did deferre his comming, for that he found himselfe weary by reson of the long way, for he was very loath to tell him the cause why he staid, for that he woulde not giue the King occasion to talke of the present that he would haue sent him: But it did well ap­peare that the Catuall and the Factor would not haue hin­dred the sending of the same vnto the King, but for y^t they well knew, he would haue made small account thereof. And also they must of force haue told him that they had seene the same. Neuerthelesse it coulde not be excused, but that the King spake vnto the Captaine generall thereof immediate­ly saieng:The king quarrel­leth vvith the Cap­taine Ge­nerall. how that he had tolde him that he was belong­ing to a great and rich King, and yet he brought no pre­sent from him, but an Embassage of friendship onelye, and therefore he could not tell what friendship he woulde haue with him, since that he did send him nothing. Vnto this the Captaine generall did aunswere, that there was no maruel that he did bring him nothing, for that he came not in as­suraunce that he should méete with him. But now since that he hath séene him he should well perceiue what his King & Master will héereafter sende him, if so be that God wil giue him leaue to carry newes of this his discouery. And if so be that he will giue credite to his Letters which hée did bring with him, he shall then sée what the King doeth send him word of. The King in stéede of demaunding his Letters, asked him whether the King his Master did sende him to discouer stones or men, and if so be that he did send him to discouer men, how doth it chaunce then that hée sent him no present. And since that it is manifest that hée had brought him nothing, he sayd as then that it was told him that he had a Sancta Maria in golde, requesting of him the same.

[Page] The Captaine generall was partly ashamed to sée the King so altered, for that he had not brought him a present. And now moreouer to demaund without all honestie that Image. To whom he aunswered, that the Sancta Maria, which they tolde him of, was made of woode, and gylded ouer and not of Massie golde. And although that it were (yet would he not depart therewith) forsomuch as the same had preserued him in the Sea, and had brought the same from his Countrey. The King did not reply vpon this answere, but demaunded those Letters the which the King had sent him: whereof the one was in the Portingale tongue, the other in the Arabian language. These he tolde him were sent in this order, for that the King his Master did not know whether of these two languages was vnderstoode in his Countrey. Wherefore he desired that since the Portingale language was not vnderstood in his Countrey but the Ara­bian, and that there were Christians of the Indias that did vnderstand the same, one of those might read his Letter, and the rather for that the Moores are enimies to the Christi­ans, of whom he was afeard, least that they should chaunge the sense thereof. The King commaunded them so to bée read: howbeit there could be founde no Indian that coulde read the same, or at the least would shew himselfe that hée could read them. The Captaine generall séeing that there was no other remedy, but y^• the Moores must néeds read the same, was driuen then to request the King, that Bontaybo might be one of them. This was done, for y^t as he thought he would speake and vse more truth then the others, for the acquaintaunce they had with him. The King commaunded the same to be read by other thrée, who hauing read y^e same first of all to themselues,The effect of y^e king of Portin­gales Let­ters to the king of Calycut & afterward with a loude voyce de­clared to the King the effect thereof, the which was, That as soone as the King of Portingale had knowledge, y^t he was one of the mightiest Princes of all the Indias, & a Christi­an, he was desirous to haue a trade & a friendship with him, for that he might haue out of his Countrey, Spices, the which he hath in great plentie, for which there commeth di­uers [Page 50] from many places of the world thether to buy y^e same. And therefore if so be he will giue him license to sende for the same, that then he wil send vnto him from his kingdome many things which he hath not in his, as his Captaine ge­nerall and Embassadour will tell him. And if so bée that with those things he were not pleased, he will sende him money both of golde and siluer to buy them withall, & how that as well of his Merchaundize as of the money, y^t Cap­taine generall could shew him part. The King hearing this, as he was desirous that for the increase of his rents there should come many Merchaunts vnto Calycut, shewed him­self to be wel pleased with this letter, & also made vnto the Captaine generall a better countenaunce then he did before, & asked him what Merchaundize ther were in Portingale. He named many, shewing how that of all he had brought with him part, and also of their money, requesting him license to goe aboord for the same, and in the meane while he wold leaue in his lodging foure or fiue of his men. The King gi­uing more credite to that which he spake, then to that the Moores had told him, said vnto him, y^t he might go in a good houre, & carie his men with him, for there was no necessitie that they should remaine a lande, & that he should bring his Merchandize, & sell them as well as he could. With this ly­cense he remained well content, for (as he saw y^e King make him at the first an ill countenance) so he thought y^t he wold not haue giuen him y^e same, & with this license he went first to his lodging, being by y^e Kings commandement accompa­nied with the Catuall: and forsomuch as that daye was all spent, he would, not goe aboord that night.

¶How the Captaine generall hauing l [...]cense of the King to go to his ships, was staid by the Catuall in Pandarane. Chap. 20.

THe next daye after, which was the last daye of Maye, the Catuall sent to the Captaine generall a Horse, howbeit without anye furniture to the same, vpon which hée might goe to Pandarane: And for that the Horse came after that order, he woulde [Page] not accept his offer, but rather requested him for one of his Andors, the which he sent him immediately, and on the same he went to Pandarane, and all his men came after him on foote. There went to beare him company many Nayres, the Catuall did remaine in Calicut, and when the Moores had notice that he should there staye, and that the Captaine ge­nerall was gone towards his ships, supposing that he went for altogether, were sore amazed therewith, wherevpon the Moores tooke occasion to goe to the Catuall,the Mores make a nevv con­spiracie. with large of­fers of money to pursue the Captaine generall, and vnder a fained pretence to lay hands vpon him and to take him pri­soner, for that they would finde occasion to kill him: and he by this meanes shoulde remaine in no fault thereof at all. And albeit that the King would punish him forsomuch as he did kéepe him prisoner, yet they would not feare but to get him his pardon. With this bribe and promise he did depart immediately, and went in such hast after him, that hée past by our men which did remaine behinde the Captaine gene­rall, for that they were not able to goe much, by reason of the heate. The Catuall hauing ouertaken the Captaine ge­nerall, asked him why he did make so much hast, or wher he wer now running away: this was spoken by signes, y^• which the Captaine generall did vnderstand, who aunswered him also by signes that he did runne away to flye the heat. And being come to Pandarane, for that his men as yet did not appeare, the Captaine generall tolde the Catuall that hée would not goe into the village, vntill his men were come, and there he tarried for them in a house, wherein he rested himselfe from the raine: howbeit they came not vntill it was almost Sunne set, for so long he did tarry for them be­cause they had lost their waye. But after that they were come, the Captine generall tolde them, that then it was not time to leaue him, whereas if so be that they hadde come sooner, hée hadde bene as then in his Shippe.

Wherevppon, immediatelye hée did demaunde of the Catuall a Boate or Pinnace for to goe aboorde in, who for that hée pretended an other thing, aunswered [Page 51] him, that it was verye late, and that the shippes did ride farre, and going in the night he might misse them, and ther­fore that it were a great deale better to tarie vntill y^e next day. To y^e which the Captaine generall made him a plaine answere, that if so be that he would not giue him an Al­madias or Pinnace, he woulde immediatly returne to the king & complain vpon him, forsomuch as the king had sent him to his ships, and he would séeme to stay him, which was very ill done, since that he was a Christian as they were. This was spoken with such a coulour as if he wold haue returned to Calicut. Dissimu­lation in y^e Catuall The Catuall for to dissemble with him the more, did make him a countenance as though he would giue him thirtie Almadias, if he woulde haue so many. Howbeit he tolde him that he did counsell him for the best, and to remaine. But if so be that he would goe he was contented therewith. Thus on one parte he sent to séeke out Almadias or Pinnaces, and on the other part commaunded the owners of the same to hide themselues out of the way because they shuld not deliuer the same. In the meane season while they went to séeke those Pinna­ces, the Captaine Generall went along the water side, and for that he had an euill suspition of their dealing, for that which they had done to him in Calicut, he commaunded Gonsallo Peres, a Marriner, with other two of his men, to go before as fast as they could, & sée if they could finde Ni­cholas Coello w^t his boats to wil him to kéepe himself out of the way, forsomuch as he was afeard least y^t the Catual wold send to take his boats, with all those that were with him in the same, Gonsallo Peres with the other went about that businesse whilest the Catuall went in the meane sea­son so leaserly to prouide for this boat, that the night drew on, so that it was thrée houres within night ere he coulde heare of any thing what hée had done, and what for that & also to tarrye the comming of those that went to Ni­cholas Coello, the Captaine Generall was the willinger to stay there that night. After that the Catuall had placed the Generall in a Moores house, tolde him that he woulde [Page] goe to séeke out Gonsallo Peres, & the other two that went with him. Howbeit he came not backe till it was the mor­ning. And as soone as the Captaine Generall had fight of him, immediatly he required a boate for to goe in vnto his shippes. But as soone as the Catuall heard him, he then spake vnto his Nayres that were there present in his lan­guage, who afterward willed the Captaine Generall to cō ­maunde his ships to be brought néere vnto the shoare, and that being done he shoulde haue license to goe his waye, with this the Captaine Generall was somewhat afearde, howbeit he aunswered him with a stout stomacke, that as long as he was on land, he would commaund no such mat­ter to be done, forsomuch as then his brother woulde iudge him to remaine in prison, and that he did commaunde the same to be done more for feare then any thing els, whervp­on he wold immediatly depart toward Portingal, without him.

To this the Catuall made answere with the others that were with him,The Catuals pur­pose ope­ned. speaking with a stoutnesse, that if so be that he would not doe that which was willed him to doe, y^• then they will not let him go a boord. To the which shewing himselfe to be therewith offended, he made answere that if so be that they would not let him go, that then he wold re­turne to the king of Calicut, and make his complaint, who if then he would stey him in his countris, y^• then he would be verie glad to dwel in the same. The Catuall therevpon willed him so to do, & to goe to the king to make his com­plaint, but yet for all his saieng he would not consent ther­vnto, for that he had commaunded the doores of his lodging to be kept shut, placing within the same sundry Nayres with their weapons. And if so that any of our men should goe forth, there were appointed many of the enmyes to with­stand them. Neuerthelesse it was Gods pleasure that the Catuall durst not venture to kill the Captaine Generall, nor yet any of his men for all that the Moores hadde bri­bed him with a great summe of money, and for all that hée was in great credit with the king, for hée stoode in such a [Page 52] feare thereof, that he durst not doe it.

Tho cause why he required the shippes to be brought to the shoare side was, for that they being there, the Moores might the better laye the same a boorde, and so take them and kill all those that were within them, which thing for that it did so manifestly appeare to the Captaine General, he would not commaund the Shippes to bée brought anye néerer. And also for that the same was so appareaunt vnto the others of his men that were with him. They gaue him counsaile not to deale therein. The Catu­all séeing that he would not commaunde those Shippes to bée brought néere the shoare, and for that there was no cause to staye him or offer him any wrong, and séeing that hée could not kill him, did then beginne to request him to bring his Sailes and the Rudder of the Shippes a lande. With that the Captaine Generall beganne to laugh, say­eng, that he would neither doe the one, nor yet the other, since that the king did giue him frée license to goe without any condition.

And therefore hée willed him to doe what he would, and how that of all the iniuryes which hée had offered him, the king shoulde bée made priuie, who he knewe woulde doe him iustice, but yet for all this, both hée and his remay­ned in some feare of suspect, although they did not outwardly shew the same.

At length the Captaine Generall with the rest feigning themselues to be an hungred,The Generals vnef­fectuall excuse. and that they were vnpro­uided of victualls, did request him that some of his men might goe to prouide the same, and hée woulde remaine a­lone, but for all that the Catuall woulde not agrée there­vnto. Nowe our men béeing in feare to sée themselues in such a daunger. Then came Gonsallo Peres, suppo­sing that the Captaine Generall had ben at his liberty, and that they were tarrieng for him and the others, who tolde him that hée hadde mette with Nicholas Coello, and with the others which tarryed for him with theyr Boates a lande.

[Page] This newes being brought to the Captaine Generall, hée was afeard least the Catuall should know thereof, which if he had knowne indéed he would haue sent Pinnaces and many men in them,Gonsallo Peres sent back to the ships for to haue taken them. Therefore did he procure by all the meanes he could, that Gonsallo Peres shoulde secretlye returne, from thence vnto their shippes, and put themselues in good order. And also that he should goe with them and informe them in what case he doth re­maine. Nicholas Coello hauing receiued this dispatch, did forthwith depart, and that in hast, and immediatly af­ter he was departed, the Catuall was aduertised thereof, who sent after him sundrie Pinnaces well appointed, but yet they could not ouertake him, and therefore they retur­ned againe vnto the Catuall. Then the Catuall after that they were come did once more request the Captaine Gene­rall to write vnto his brother to bring the shippes néere to the lande, but he could not perswade the Captaine Ge­nerall so to doe, saieng that if he should doe it, yet his bro­ther would not consent therevnto, and although he would, yet he knew that the companye would not. To this the Catuall did replye, that he shoulde not make him beléeue that, forsomuch as he did well know that all things should be done as he would commaund. Howbeit the Captaine Generall wold write no such letter; for that he was afeard of the bringing of the ships so néere the shoare, for the causes aboue mentioned.

¶How the Catuall was contented that the Cap­taine Generall should goe to his ships, & af­ter that what chaunced. cap. 21.

AFter this sorte they spent that day, in the which our men remained in great feare, forsomuch as in the night they were put in a great yarde that was vnderfoote lay­ed with Brick, and compassed about with walls, & also had to kéepe them far more [Page 53] men then they had in the day. Then the Captaine Gene­rall perceiued by the countenance of his men y^• they feared least they shuld be departed y^e one from y^e other y^t next day after, as he himselfe suspected the lyke, although he gaue no outward shew thereof, but rather had a confidence, that as soone as the king of Calicut had knowledge after what sorte they were stayed, would commaunde them to be re­leased, for that he did neuer vse with him double dealing, it was thought that the Catuall did staye the Captaine Ge­nerall after this order,The generals con­stancye marueled at by the Catuall because he should giue him some re­ward. And for that he would giue as it were no outwarde shew that he was offended, he would néeds come to supper to him that night, at the which they hadde both Rice and Hens, which he commaunded to be bought the day before. The Catuall did much meruaile to sée how little they did passe for their close kéeping, after that sort, and of the great constancie of the Captaine Generall, that he woulde not commaund those shippes to be brought néere to the shoare, nor yet condescended to any of the other his request. And for that hée thought that it was but a follye to kéepe him prisoner, thereby the rather to constraine him to doe it, it was Gods pleasure to put him in the head to sette him at lybertie, for feare least that the king shoulde knowe there­of, for that he gaue him frée lybertie to goe to his shippes. The next day which was Saterday the second of Iune, hée then tolde him, that since he had certified the king that he would bring his Merchandise a land, he should command the same to be brought. For it was a custome that whatsoeuer Merchants did come to Calicut, he should immediatly vp­on the same command his Merchandise to be brought a land and his men also, and they not to returne vnto their ships, vntill such time that they had solde the same, notwithstan­ding as soone as the Merchandise were come, he would then let him go aboord his ships. And although his wordes were with the Captaine Generall of small credite to send vnto his brother a certeine dispatch for them, yet he did not lette to tell him, that immediatly he would sende for them, if so [Page] be that they wold giue him Almadias or pinnaces, in the which the same might be brought, for that his brother woulde not consent that his boates should come a lande, vntill such time that hée were there himself, with this the Catuall was content for that he thought to make himself possessour of the Merchandise, hauing a speciall hope that they were of a great value, as the Captaine Generall had tolde him.

Then he dispatched two of his men with a letter vnto his brother,The effect of y^e Generals letters vnto his brother. in the which he had made relation after what sorte hée did remaine. And that he had no other iniury of­fered him, but that he kept his lodging. And for any thing else hée was very well, willing him that hée should sende him part of the Merchaundise to content the Catuall with­all, that he might let him depart. And after that hée had re­ceiued the same, if then hée would not let him go, he would then beléeue that hée did kéepe him prisoner, by the King of Calicuts commaundement, who hée knew would not com­maund the same, except it were to take his shippes, which hée would not doe, but hauing time to arme his owne Fléet, & so to set vppon them, wherefore hée aduertised them that if so bée were not set at liberty, immediatly after y^• the Merchandise were landed, that then they should not re­maine there any longer, but goe their wayes toward Por­tingale, & informe the king his Maister what had chaun­ced vnto him, and also what hee had done, that there might not bée lost a Countrie of so greate a profite for Portin­gale as that was, and also to tell him after what sort that hée did remaine there, and what confidence hée hadde in his highnesse that he would send him such a Fléete of ships and men, that by the same hée doth hope to be sette at ly­bertie, béeing assured that as nowe they woulde not kill him.

He that carried these letters béeing come to Paulo de la Gama, did deliuer them vnto him, giuing vnto him large instructions of all that which they had past, since they did departe. Nowe Paulo de la Gama hauing séene this Letter [Page 54] which was sent him from the Captaine General,His bro­thers aply did send immediatlye the merchaundise with an aunswere to this Letter, in the whsch hée sayde, that GOD would not permit him to retourne to Portingale without his com­panye. And if so bée that their enimyes would not sette him at lyberty, that then hée did hope in GOD that hée woulde strengthen those fewe that remained in the Fléet, with whome and with the Ordinance that they haue, hée woulde come and set him at lyberty, and of this hée might make full accompt, and of no other thing.

The Merchaundise béeing landed, the Captaine Gene­ral did deliuer the same vnto the Catual, and also to Die­go Dyas whome he lefte for▪ Factour of the same, and to Aluora de Braga the Scriuenor, who remained in a house which the Catuall had sought out for them. In this space the Captaine Generall made himselfe in a readynesse to goe aboorde his shippes, but first the Catuall did reforme, and make himselfe friendes with him.

After that hée was a boorde, hée would send no more Merchaundise a lande, vntill such time hée heard newes the same were solde, neyther yet would goe anye more a lande, because hée would runne in no such daunger, with this the Moores were grieuously offended, for that they thought that if so be that he would come a land, that there they might doe him more hurte then a Seaboorde.

And for that they woulde the rather so do, they beganne to make a mocke at the merchandise which he had left a land. Also they wrought all the means they could to hinder their sales therof, saieng y^t they wer litle or nothing worth. Of al this y^e Captain general was informed,deuises of the Mores to entise thē aland. & for y^• as he thought the king knew nothing of all these things, neither yet what discurtesie the Catuall had offered him, & for that he should vnderstand the cause why the Captaine Generall did not returne a land, neither yet wold send any more merchan­dise, he did therfore send him word within fiue dayes after hy his Factour of all that they hadde done vnto him, and also what iniurye the Moores hadde shewed him, [Page] touching their Merchants, promising notwithstanding, that he would not let to be at his commaundement with all the whole Fléet. Then the king seemed to be very greatly offen­ded for that which they had done to y^e Captaine general, in­somuch as he had sent him vnto his shippes. But for all that the Catuall went vnpunished, although he sent the Captaine Generall worde, that he would punish those that had so vsed him, which out of doubt were naughtie christi­ans, so that it did well appeare that it grieued him verye much to heare thereof. And as touching the Merchaundise he promised to sende thether such as shoulde buye the same, as hée did indéede seauen or eyght Merchauntes, which are Gentiles Gusarates, and with his Factour hée sent a Nayre, which was a principall honest man, to the intent hée might remaine in the Factorye with the Factour, to whome hée gaue commaundement diligentlye to beware that there shoulde not come any Moores to kill him.

But for because that this was done but vnder couloure that the Moores shoulde not séeme to subborne the Mer­chauntes, they bought nothing, but rather did abate the price, of the which the Moores were verye gladde, and said, that nowe it did well appeare that they were not alone that woulde not buye of theyr Merchaundise, yet for all that ther durst come no Moore to the Factorie, they once hauing notice that there was placed a Nayre by the kinges com­maundement. And if so be that before they did not abide or loue vs, they ten times worse loued vs afterwarde, so that whensoeuer any of our men should come a land, they recei­ued the same as an iniurie done vnto them, spitting on the ground, saieng: Portingale, Portingale. But our men which vnderstoode their meaning did laugh thereat, to the ende thereby they might sée howe little they did estéeme their doinges, for so the Captaine Generall commaunded them to doe. Nowe perceiuing that there was none that would buy of the Merchants, he supposed the cause to be for that they lay in a place where there were no Merchaunts.

And therfore supposing that if so be that they were in Cali­cut, [Page 55] where other Merchants are, he should sell the better, did therfore [...]ue y^e King of Calicut by a messenger for license to send the same,Their merchandize paide for by y^e king him selfe which he gaue immediately, and comman­ded the Catuall to sée the same brought forthwith, & to such as should carrie them, to sée them paid at his owne costes and charges, for that he would not that any thing of y^e king of Portingales, shuld be at any charges in his Country, and so it was done: but for all this the Captaine generall wold neuer come more a lande, for that which the Catuall hadde done vnto him, and for that Bontaybo which came to sée him manye times, did giue him counsaile so to doe, for that the King was moueable, and therefore it was possible that the Moores would alter his minde, for the great credite that they were of with him. But the Captaine general was ve­ry warie, and because that he was a Moore,Bontaybo vsed, but not trust­ed. he would not much trust him, neither yet woulde giue him account what he was minded to doe: yet for that he would séeme to haue him in some reputation that he should bring him alwayes newes of that which did passe on shoare, he departed with him both money and other rewards.

¶How the Captaine generall being desirous to re­tourne toward Portingale, sent to demaunde ly­cense of the King to haue a Factor and a Scriue­ner, with such Merchaunts as he thought good: & how the King caused the messenger with one other, that was found a shoare to be craried to prison. Chap. 22.

THe Merchaunts being brought to Calicut, the Captaine generall therewith gaue all his men license to goe and sée the Citie of Calycut, & to buye ther what they thought good, so that there went out of each shippe euery day a man, and those being returned, there went immediately others. And as they went on this [Page] order, they were carried to the Gentiles houses wher they had good chéere, and also when occasion serued might haue among them good lodging. The like courtesie they did re­ceiue in Calicut, besides they did report vnto our men of all such things as they had, and after the selfe same manner, our men did bestow amongst them part of that they caried, which were bracelets of Brasse & of Copper, Pewter, and apparell, which they carried to sell in Calicut, or anye other place, where they might goe as quiet as in Lishborne. From the lande there went aboord both Fisher men & Gen­tiles to sell their Fish, Co [...]os and Hennes, which they gaue in trucke of bisket and for ready money. Others ther wer that went thether with their children, who carried nothing with them to sell, but only their going was to sée our ships. The Captaine generall was very glad of their comming, & commanded to giue them meate: this he did for to increase the friendship betwéene the King of Calicut & them. After this order, the ships wer neuer without some, & those y^t wer there, remained till such time that night drew on, and then they were bid to goe their waye. After this sort they spent their time till it was the x. day of August, the which was the beginning of the season wherin they might depart from the Coast of the Indias, The ende of y^e vvin­ter in the Indias. and also for that as then their win­ter did make an end. The Captaine generall perceiuing the quietnesse of the people and Countrey, and the familyaritie they vsed with our men, and how quietly they went in Ca­licut, without receiuing either hurt of the Moores or of the Nayres, did credibly beléeue that this came to passe, for that the King of Calycut would haue peace and friendship with the King his Master, was the occasion that almost in thrée moneths that our men had trade in Calycut they did receiue no manner hurt, either of the Moores or of the Nayres. Hée did therfore determine to establish the Factorie which was there, with all such Merchandize as he had lefte at that pre­sent (although the least parte thereof was solde) for that there was now layde a good foundation or ground worke, for the next voyage when it shuld please the King his Ma­ster [Page 56] to sende againe, and if it might please God to giue him life, that he might bring him newes of this Discouerie, so that it should not be néedfull to make any new consent or a­gréement for the Factorie. And by the counsaile of his Cap­taines and of the other Principalls of his ships, he sent vn­to the King of Calicut a present, of skarfes of sundry cou­lours, of silkes, Coralls and other things, which was caried vnto him by Diego Dias, desiring the King to pardon him, for that he was so bold as to send him that present, conside­dering he did the same for no other purpose, but onelye to shew what seruitour he was of his, who is and will bée al­wayes at his commandement, which was the occasion that he sent it, and not for that he thought that things of so smal valew, were of sufficient dignitie, for to represent a King withall of so great a power as he was. And if so be that he had in his custodie, that which he might estéeme or think to be of a more worthie price, he would sende it with a better good will. And for that the time now drew néere y^e he deter­mined to depart, he ordained for the same, and also if so bée that he did minde to send any Embassadour to the King his Master to confirme the amitie or friendship betwéen them, he desired him to commaund him to be in a readinesse, for that he had a confidence that as touching that which he had agréed vpon with his highnesse, as also presuming on y^e gifts which he had receiued at his hands, y^t he might as he was desirous, leaue in Calicut that Factor with his Scriuenor & the Merchandize which he had left, not onely for a witnes of a perpetuall peace & friendship setled ther with his highnes, but also for a testimony of the truth of his Embassage, & of that which y^e King his Master shuld send héerafter, as soone as he had news of him, & also for confirmatiō of his discoue­ry & to get some credit in Portingale, he did therfore send to kisse his hands, requesting him to send to y^e king his master one Bahar of cinamon, & another of cloues, & another of some other spices, & as soone as y^e factor did make any redy mony of his wares, he shuld pay for y^e same, forsomuch as at y^• pre­sent he had not wherewith to paye. After that Diego Dias [Page] had receiued his message, there past foure dayes afore the King would consent that he should come in his presence, al­though that he went euery day vnto his Pallaice. After that he had commanded him to come into his presence, he view­ed how and after what sort he came laden, and therevpon asked him with a frowning countenaunce, what it was that he would haue: but Diego Dias at that time was afearde, that he would commaund him to be killed. But after that he had told him his message and would haue deliuered him the present, he would not sée it, but commaunded it to be de­liuered to his Factor. The aunswere that he gaue touching the Captaine generall was, that since he would néedes goe his waye,The kings aunsvvere vnto Die­go Dias. he might so doe: but first or that he doe depart, he must giue him 600. Serasynes, for so it was the custome of the Countrey. Diego Dias being returned with this present, was accompanied by manye Nayres, which he séeing, thought it to be for the best: but as soone as he was come to the Factorie,Diego Di­as kept in prison, they remained at the dore, and woulde not consent, that he or any other shoulde come forth. And after this proclamation was made in all the Citie, that vpon pain of death there should goe aboord our Fléete no boate or Al­madias: but yet notwithstanding all this Bontaybo went, and gaue warning to the Captaine generall in secrete, not to goe a lande, nor consent that any of his should goe: for that he knew for most certaine by the Moores, that if so be that he or they shoulde so doe, the King would commaunde theyr heads to be stroken off. And as touching all his faire words and good entertainment, which he had shewed him vnto that present, as also to giue him a house in the which his Mer­chandize might be layd, as also the good entertainment that our men had, was but méere dissimulation, and to the ende, he might haue taken him a lande with them, & so haue com­maunded them all to be killed, which was wrought by the industrie of the Moores onely, which had made the King be­léeue, that they were théeues and went a rouing, and that he came not vnto his Harbour, but to steale such Merchan­dize as should be brought to the Citie, and also to espie the [Page 57] Countrey, and after to come with a great Fléete for to in­uade the same. In the selfe same order was the Captaine generall informed by two Malabars, which are Gentiles, be­ing therefore now in a studie what was best to be done, ha­uing this aduertisement for most certaine, as soone as it was night, there came aboorde the Generalls ship, a slaue of the colour blacke, which was naturally borne in Guynee, & be­longed vnto Diego Dias and also was a Christian, and had the Portingall tongue very well, who tolde him that Die­go Dias and Aluoro de Braga did remain in prison, & what aunswere the King of Calycut had made to his message, & what he had commaunded to be done with his present, and also what Proclamations there were made: Diego Dias, for that he thought good to giue him knowledge of y^t which had past, had bribed a Fisher man to carrie this messenger, and that in the night season that he might not be knowen. After that the Captaine generall had heard all this, he was much offended therewith: howbeit, for that hée woulde sée the end thereof, would not depart, but did let passe that day, to sée whether that any would come aboord him. The nexte day which was Wednesdaye,Boies sent for spyes being the xv. of August, there came one onlyPinnace or Almadia aboord the General, in the which were foure boyes, which brought fine precious stones to sell, and for that they came after such sort he tooke them to be spies, and that their comming was for no other purpose but to sée what they did: and by this meanes hée thought he might vnderstand in what reputation they were with the King. This was the occasion the Captaine generall did receiue them with as good a countenaunce as he did before, giuing them nothing to vnderstand y^t he knew of the imprisonment of Diego Dias, and wold not therefore laye hand vpon those, but vpon such as shoulde come after­ward (which as he thought should be of more credite) vntill such time as he had recouered those that were imprisoned.

Vnto those also he wrote a Letter by those Boyes, with fained words, saieng that he did vnderstande of theyr imprisonment: this was done in such order, that if so be this [Page] letter should haue come to any other mens hands, they could not haue vnderstood the same. These Boyes did deliuer vn­to him this letter, who afterward told the king what great entertainment they had at the Captaine generalls hands, which made him to beléeue that he knewe nothing of the imprisonment of his men, whereof he was very glad & did retourne and send aboord others, and those that shoulde goe had warning giuen them not to disclose,The king of Calicuts treson towards the Captaine generall. that the Factour with the others did remaine prisoners. This was done by pollicie, for that he made this reckoning to deceiue the Cap­taine generall on this sort, vntill such time that he was a­ble to sende a Fléete of ships vpon him, or til that the ships of Meca, should come and take him. On this sort went the Malabars aboord, vnto whom the Captaine generall made a good countenaunce, and commaunded them to be enter­tained very well: all this he did for y^t he saw none worth the staieng. On the Sunday next, there came sixe principal Malabars, with other fiftéene which waited vpon them, in another Pinace. And for that the Captain generall thought that for those the King would send him his Factor and his Scriuenour, he laid hands vpon them all, onely he lefte two Mariners in a pinace, by whom he sent a letter to the kings Factors,Certaine Malabars stayed in exchange written in the Malabars tongue, in the which he de­maunded for the Factor and his Scriuenor, & then he wold send those which he had staid. The kings factor hauing peru­sed this letter, he enformed y^e king of y^• which had past, who cōmaunded, the Factor & Scriuenor to be brought home to his house as prisoners, that he might from thence send for them, and to dissemble therewith as though he knewe no­thing of their imprisonment, & so cause them to be sent from thence to the Captaine generall, for that he might send him those Malabars which he had detained, whose wiues made exclamation for the imprisonment of their husbands. And therefore the King was the more willinger to set our men at libertie, who afterward remained a while in the Kings Factors house.

¶How the Captaine generall seeing the delayes wer made for that the Factor with the Scriuenor came not, did bring himselfe in a readines as though he would depart imme­diately, wherevpon without any further delay, the King sent them away, and what els happened. Chap. 23.

[Page 58] THe captain general séeing y^t they came not, determined to proue whether y^t with shew­ing himself as though he wold depart im­mediatly, they wold thē send them to him, did therfore on wednesday, being the xxiii. of August commaund to wey his Ankor, & to bring himselfe vnder saile. And for that the winde was contrary he was driuen to come to an Ankor foure leagues from Calicut, riding in an open road, and there they remai­ned till the next Saterday, to sée whether they would sende their prisoners. And perceiuing no likelihood thereof, he went yet further into the Sea, so far, that he scarcely could descry any land, & being at an Ankor for lack of winde, there came thether a boat w^t certain Malabars, which told y^e Captaine generall y^t their comming was to séeke him out, & to tel him y^• Diego Dias with y^e others, wer in y^e kings pallaice, whom he minded to send aboord,Yet [...] deuices to slaye the Portin­gals from departing which thing to be true they would bind thēselues y^t as y^e next day they should be brought. And y^e cause why they brought thē not as then, was for that they thought they shuld not ouertake him. Now for y^t they sawe not y^t Malabars y^t the Generall kept as prisoners, thought y^t they were all dead. This craftie dealing was for no other purpose, but to dally with y^e Captaine general, & to stay him with those words, that the King might in the meane while prepare in Calicut an armie of ships to set vpon him and to tarry for the ships of Meca, to ioyne with his Fléete. After this the Captaine generall commaunded those of the towne, to goe their way and not to retourne without his men, or els their letters, for if so be they did he would sink them w^t his ordinance. And also if immediately they did not returne with an answere, y^t then he would cut off the heads of those which he had taken. With this aunswere, those of the [Page] towne did departe, and immediatelye as soone as they had winde, he made sayle, and bearing along the Coast, came to Ankor at the Sunne set ouer against Calycut.

The next daye our men descryed comming seauen Alma­dias, which came aboord the Captaine generalls ship, in the one whereof came Diego Dias and Aluoro de Braga, and in the others there came many others of the countrey, how­beit, there were none that durst enter within their ships, but did put Diego Dias and Aluoro de Braga in his owne boate which they had at their stearne, and afterwarde they themselues fell further off, tarrieng for the Captaine Gene­ralls aunswere. To whom Diego Dias said, That as soone as the King of Calicut knew that he was gone, he sent for him from his Factors house and shewed himselfe ioyfull, as one that knew nothing of his imprisonment, and asked him what was the occasion that the Captaine Generall tooke those men which he doth kéepe as prisoners, who afterward tolde him the cause: wherevpon the King made aunswere, that it was well done. He asked him also whether that his Factor had demaunded at his hands any thing of gift, spea­king against his owne Factor which was there present, for that he knew wel inough y^t it was not long ago, since he cō ­maunded one other to be killed, for taking certain bribes of Merchaunt scraungers. After all this, he willed him to tell the Captaine generall that he should send him y^e stone which he promised him to be set in the Countrey, vpon the which there is a Crosse and the royall Armes of Portingale, and also to know of him whether he be content to leaue Diego Dias for Factor in Calicut, and with the same he sent him a letter for the King of Portingale, which was confirmed and signed by the King, and written by Diego Dias and with this Letter, he sent Aluoro de Braga. The Cap­taine generall tooke this Letter, which was written in a certaine Leafe of a Palme Trée, vpon the which they doe vse to write matters, that shall indure a long time, the ef­fect whereof was this.

[Page 59] Vasco de la Gama, a Gentleman of thy house came to my Countrie,The effect of y^e king of Cali­cuts let­ters. of whose comming I was very glad. In my Countrie there is great store of Cinamon, Cloaues, and Pepper, and precious stones. That which I am desirous to haue out of thy Countrie, is Siluer, Gold, Corall, & Skar­let. The Captaine Generall for that he sawe the king to vse no truth, woulde not aunswere for all his offers, but therewith sent him all such as he hadde stayed that were Nayres, and for all the others, he sent him word, he would not send them, vntill such time that he sent him all such merchaundise as he had taken of his. Notwithstanding hée sent him the stone he sent for, & with this answere depar­ted those that brought Diego Dyas aboord. The next day there came a boord Bontaybo who tolde the Captaine Ge­nerall that he came so sodeinly away from Calicut for that the Catuall by the kings commaundement had taken from him all that he euer had, saieng that he was a christian, and that his comming to Calicut ouer land was by the king of Portingales commaundement onely to bée his spie. Other matters there were which he told him of, and that the same came by the Moores procurement, the which he knew wel, that as they tooke his goods, so they meant to do him some shrewd turne in his person, if so bée that they coulde haue taken him, and therefore he came his way before. The Cap­taine Generall was very glad of his comming, and tolde him that hée would carry him to Portingale, and that there he shuld recouer all his goods with the double,Bontaibo vvilling to goe to Portingal besides other rewards that the king his Maister would giue him. He commaunded also that in his ship there should be pre­pared him a principall good cabine. After this about tenne of the clocke, there came a boorde the Captaine Generall thrée Pinnaces laden with men, and vpon certeine of their seates or benches, there was layd certeine Skarfs, as who should say, there came part of theyr Merchaundise. And af­ter these there came other foure one after another. And as touching those thrée that brought those Skarfes, they tolde the Captaine Generall that there came all theyr Merchan­dise [Page] which they would put in his boate, and therefore they willed him to bring thether those Malabars which he had prisoners, and that there they woulde fetch them. The Captaine Generall perceiuing that this was but a fetche, did will them to goe their waye, for that hée woulde haue none of theyr Merchaundise but those Malabars to carrye to Portingale, as witnesses of his discouerie.

And if so be that God of his diuine goodnesse doe giue him lyfe, hée woulde very shortly retourne to Calicut, and then they shoulde well knowe whether that those Christi­ans were théeues or not, as the Moores hadde made the king of Calycut beléeue, and therefore that was the cause why hée did them so manifest wrong. This béeing done hée commaunded to shoote of many péeces of Ordinaunce, with the feare thereof they ranne theyr waye.

And if so hée that the kings shippes had bene in a ready­nesse and a floate, they had sent them against the Cap­tanie Generall, but they were haled vp for because of the Winter, which was to bée beléeued to haue béene the han­dye worke of GOD, that our Shippes shoulde bée there at this season, for that they might escape and carrye newes of the discouerye of this Countrye, to restore in the same the holye Catholike Faith, otherwise if it had ben Summer he woulde haue hadde his Fléete in a readinesse, the which was great, and so haue taken vs all, and by this meanes there hadde bene none lefte to haue carryed newes to Por­tingale.

Of the departure of the Captaine Generall from Calycut towarde Portingale, and what further happened vnto him being in the Iland Ansandina. Cap. 22.

[Page 70] ALthough that the Captaine Generall re­ioysed very much for that hée had discoue­red Calicut, yet he was not fully satisfied therwith altogether, for that the king had conceiued against him great displeasure, & by this meanes as he iudged the next fléet that the king his maister, should send, would run in great daunger. Howbeit perceiuing that it lay not in his power to do any more, he was therfore contented onely with the dis­couery, and to haue knowne the Indias, & of their nauigati­on, & what was commodious for the Countrie, and to haue brought with him from thence examples of the spices, drugs, and precious stones, as also of all other thinges that were within the same citie. And hauing there no more to doe, he departed, carrieng with him those Malabars which he had taken, for that by them he hoped to haue some agréement made with the king of Calicut at the returne of anye other Fléet. The Thursday after his departure, being in ralme a league of from Calicut, there came towarde him to y^e num­ber of lx. Tonys full of Souldiers, by the which the king of Calicut thought to haue taken them, who séeing them com­ming commaunded his ordinaunce to be shot of at them, & that oftentimes, and if he had not done so, they would haue put him in greate daunger for that they followed him an houre and a halfe. And by reason of a showre of raine which came vpon a sodeine, the Captaine Generall was driuen a sea boord with all his Fléete, & in the meane while the enimies fledde their waye, and bearing his course towards Mylinde in great calmes, & that along the coast, thought good & conuenient although y^e king of Calicut had abused him sundry waies, that for the necessitie y^• those that should returne to Calicut, should haue of his friendship and fauour to receiue from thence theyr lading of Spices, to vse as it were some friendship with them, since that the king would be gladde thereof, in especiall being exalted, did therefore write vnto him a letter in the Arabian [Page] tongue, which was penned in that language by Bontaybo, in the which he did craue pardon for the carrieng awaye of those Malabars with him, which was done for no other in­tent then that they shoulde be as witnesses of that the which he had discouered, as before hée had sent him worde. And for that he lefte no Factorie in Calycut (the which he was sorrie for) was for feare least that the Moores shoulde kill him, which was also the occasion that he was not of­ten times a land. Yet for all that he did not leaue, but woulde bée alwayes at his commaundement, since that the king, his Maister would be gladde of his friendshippe, and also foorthwith woulde sende him in his Fléete greate abundaunce of all such merchaundise as he doth de­maund for, by the trade, that from hence forth hée shoulde haue with the Portingales in his Citie, would redound vn­to him great profit. This letter was deliuered vnto one of the Malabars to carry the same a land to the place where it was cōmāded to be deliuered. And afterward he knew y^t the same was deliuered to y^e king of Calicut. Then y^e Captaine general going forward in his course, & that along the coast, on the next Thursday after, he fell amongst certeine rocks, with all his Fléete, and from one of them that was inha­bited there came forth sundry Pinnaces with men, within the same to sell them Fish, and other victualls. The Cap­taine Generall did receiue them very curteously, who com­maunded to giue them both shirts and other things, of the which they were verye gladde, wherevpon he tooke occasion to aske them whether they woulde be content that there shoulde be erected a marke with a crosse in the same, with the royall armes of Portingale, in token that the Portingals are theyr friends. And they aunswered that they were con­tented, and thereby they well knew that we were christi­ans, and so was the marke placed, and since that time it is called El Padron de Sancta Maria. Now to this day by the foresaid name the rocke is called. From hence as soone as the night drew on and that the winde began to blow of the shoare, the Captaine Generall made saile, and kéeping al­wayes [Page 61] along the coaste on the Thursdaie after, béeing the 19. of September hée fell with a goodly high lande, and harde to the same there laye sixe little Ilandes, and there he came to an Ankor, and going a lande to take in water did there finde a young man, which did demaund, concer­ning the Captaine Generall, whether he were a Moore or a Christian, they aunswered him that hée was a christian. This he did as it was thought with feare, least that they should haue killed him, forsomuch as in that place there were no christians. This young man did carrie our men within a certeine riuer, & shewed them most excellent wa­ter the which issued out betwéene certeine rocks, and so: his paines they gaue him a red night cap. The next morning following there came from the land foure others in a small boate a boord the Captaine Generall, which brought with them to sell many gourds and Cowcombers, and they wer demaunded by the Generall whether there were in that Countrie any Cinamon or Pepper. They aunswered that there was nothing but Cinamon, and for that he was desi­rous to sée the same,Cinamon grovving. he sent with them two of his men, the which at their return brought w^t them two gréene boughs of certeine trées which they doe take to be the same, repor­ting that thereof, there was a great groue, howbeit the same was wilde. And at their retourne there came with them more then 20. of that Countrie men, which brought to sell hens, gourds, & Cowes milke. Also they requested the Cap­taine Generall to send with them certeine of his men, for that shortly after, they should retourne with greate store of drie Cinamon, Hogges, and Hennes, but for all their great offers, he would let none of his men goe, for that hée fea­red least the same was some treason. The next daye after before dinner, our men going a lande to cut woode some­what farre of, from the place where they were, fell on a soddeine vppon two Boates, the which laye harde by the shoare side.

The Captaine Generall woulde not immediatlye pro­cure to knowe what they were, till it was after Dinner, [Page] for then he thought to know the same. And being in a re­dinesse to depart, did first commaund one of his Marriners to go vp to the top, to sée whether that he could discry any other vessels a sea boord or not, who being there tolde him that he had sight of eight great ships which wer incalmed, with this newes he left his going to sée the others, & put himselfe in a readinesse, the winde was in such sort that it might serue them both, & as they came within two leagues of our Fléete, the Captaine Generall made toward them. The enimies perceiuing that, did immediatly flye toward the shoare▪ And they bearing after this sorte, was broken the Rudder of one of the same, by reason whereof those that were within the ship were forced to go in their boats toward the lande. Nicholas Coello who was next to this ship, went immediatly and layde the same aboord, thinking indéede to finde in it some greate shore of riches, howbeit there was nothing els but Cocos and Melasus, which is a certeine kinde of Sugar made of Palmes or Date trées. Also he founde therein manye bowes, arrowes, swoordes, speares and targats, and the other seauen ranne themselues a ground, and for that our men could not come néere vnto them with their ships, they followed them in their boats, and from thence did beate them with their ordinaunce, so that their enimyes were driuen to leaue their shippes, and béeing yet the next day at an Ankor, there came vnto him seauen men of the country in an Almadias, who tolde him that those eight ships were of Calicut, the which the king had sent for to take him, as by those that fled away they vnderstood.

How the Captaine Generall went to Ansandina to take in water, & also how he toke there a Moore prisoner, which was seruant to the Lord of the Iland of Goa called Sabayo, the which was taken for a spie. cap. 25.

[Page 62] AFter that the Captaine Generall was thus informed, he would tarrie there no longer, but immediatlye came to an Ankor at the Ilande of Ansandina, the which was di­staunt from thence as it were two Gunne shotte, where it was tolde him, there was excellent swéete water. This Iland is but little, and but a league of from the firme land. There are in the same many woods, and also two conduit heads, made of frée stone of excellent sweete water, the which are springs and do rise ther, wher­of one is sixe foote déepe. Also in the sea about the sayde I­land is great store of fish. Before that the Moores did vse to traficke to the Indias, the same was inhabited by Gen­tiles,Ansādina forsaken of the in­habitants in the which there were goodly buildings, in especiall their Pagodes was a goodly thing. And after that the Moores which came from the red sea began to saile that way, they resorted thether alwayes to take in their water and wood, and did so abuse the inhabitants that they could not wel a­bide the same, so that they left their dwellings ther, but be­fore their going away, they plucked downe almost all their Pagods▪ so that they left nothing standing but the verye Chappell, the lyke they did to all other their buildings, yet for all that these Gentiles that wer of the firme land, which belong to the king of Narsingas, had to this Pagode such deuotion that from thence they would goe sundry times to make in the same their praiers vnto thrée black stones that were lieng in the middest of the said Chappell.

The Iland is called Ansandina which in the Mala­bars language is called the [...]iue Ilandes, for that rounde about the same there lye the other foure. The Cap­taine Generall hauing come to an Ankor, sent Ni­cholas Coello with his companye to discouer the same, who founde it according as afore is declared, and a goodlye place or grounde, where they might newe [Page] graue their ships. And for that the Captaine Generall had a great course to run, and also for that he knew not when to finde so conuenient a place, he consulted with the other Captaines to bring their shippes there a ground. The first ship that they brought there a grounde,They re­paire their ships. was the Shippe the which they called Ber [...]o. And whilest they were thus occupyed, there came many people to sell them victualls. At which time there came two small Brickentines that hadde out theyr Standerds, and Flagges in the toppes of theyr Mastes, and within them theyr Trumpettes and Drumnies, wherevppon they came playeng, at theyr plea­sure. In these Brickentines there came manye men, and they all at the Oare, and along the shoare side there were other fiue which came to succour them if they shoulde haue anye néede.

The Captaine Generall after that hée hadde fight of them, had warning giuen him by the Malabars to beware of them, for that they were rouers, and vnder a couloure of peace, did robbe all that they coulde take. And after that hée was entered into his shippe, hée perceiued that hée might haue taken them if so bée that hée woulde haue con­sented to lette them to come aboorde him, but hée woulde not agrée to the same. And therefore as soone as they came within Gunne shotte, commaunded all theyr Ordinaunce to be shot at them from those two shippes that were a floate. They fearing this shotte, gaue out a lowde voice crieng, Tambarane, Tambarane, for so they doe call God, and with this often shooting they fledde theyr way.

Nicholas Coello béeing as then in his Boate, went af­ter them alwayes shooting his Ordinaunce, who pursued them so farre that the Captaine Generall was driuen to put vp his Flagge for a signe hée shoulde retourne, and so he did.

The next daye after the Captaine Generall with all his men béeing a land, working vpon the ship called Berrio, there came in two litle Paraos to the number of twelue men of the Countrie, the which in their apparel séemed to bée of [Page 63] some countenaunce,Sugar Canes grovving there. who brought for a present a bundell of Sugar Canes, and immediately as soone as they had deliue­red the same, they asked license to goe aboord and to sée the ships, for that they neuer saw any before. The Captaine ge­nerall was greatly offended with this their request, for by that he feared least that they were spies: and whilest they were in this talke, there came thether other two Paraos, with as many more men. Those that came first, séeing that the Captaine generall was somewhat growen in cholar, did will those that came afterward, not to come a lande but to returne againe. The ship Berrio being made in a redinesse, & afterward that the Generalls ship was brought a ground to be new rigged, and hauing a lande about hir, all the other Captaines, there came a man in a little Parao, who séemed to be of the age of fortie yeares, and not of that Countrey, for that he had vpon him a Sabaco of fine Cotten, which reached downe to his héeles, and about his head a toocke or towell, which also couered part of his face, and at his gyr­dell a Faw [...]in or Skeyne. And assoone as he leapt a lande, he went immediately to imbrace the Captaine generall as one that had séene him or knowen him before, and after the selfe same sort he vsed the other Captaines, telling them that he was a Christian, and borne in Italy, and that hée was brought into that Countrey of a childe, and that his dwel­ling was with a Noble man that was a Moore, called Sa­bayo the which was Lord of a certaine Iland called Goa, lieng about twelue leagues from thence, and had forty thou­sand horsemen within the sayd Iland. And for that his ha­bitation was amongst the Moores, he obserued their lawe, howbeit it was but for an outward shew, but inwardly in his soule he was a Christian: and being in Sabayos house it was tolde him, that there was come by Sea to Calycut certaine men in ships, whereof there was neuer séene y^e like in the Indias, and that there were none that vnderstoode their language, and also that their bodies were couered ouer with cloathes. And when he had vnderstanding of the same, he immediatelye iudged them to be Frangnes, for so [Page] they do call those that are Christians in that Countrey, and for that he was desirous to sée them, had therefore asked ly­cense of Sabayo, saieng that if so be that he woulde not giue him license to goe and sée them, that he knewe verye well that he should dye with very thought and anger: by reason whereof he gaue him license, by whome hée sent them word, that if so be that there were in his Countrey anye thing y^t they had néede of, they shuld haue the same, in espe­ciall shippes and victualles. And moreouer, if they woulde come and dwell in his Countrey, he would be very gladde thereof, and would giue both them and theirs sufficient ly­uing, with the which they should liue very honourably.

After that he had ended thus his talke, the Captaine ge­nerall asked him perticularly for the Countrey of Sabayo, and other things: Wherevppon he requested of the Cap­taine generall a chéefe for to sende to a companion of his, which remained in the firme Lande, for that it was agréed betwéene them, that if so be that he were well entertained, that he woulde sende vnto him a token in signe thereof. This kinde of dealing made the Captaine generall suspect him, notwithstanding, he commaunded a chéefe to be gi­uen him, and also two newe loaues, the which he sent to his companion as aforesaide, and he remained alwayes talking with the Captaine Generall: His talke was so much, that some time hée discouered himselfe to bée a spye.

Paulo de la Gama, which noted the same, asked of certaine countrey men what hée was, and they vp and tolde him, that he was a Rouer, and that he had laide a­boorde other Shippes, which had bene there brought a grounde before that time. The Captaine Generall béeing thereof informed, commaunded him to be carried aboorde his shippe, which was then a grounde, and there he com­maunded him to bee well whipped to confesse, whether that all or anye parte of the same was true that hée had tolde him, and also what he meant by his comming the­ther, and whether he were a Moore or a Christian, who [Page 64] aunswered that he was a Christian as he had said before, al the rest he denied, & therefore the General sought one other more cruell torment then whipping, which was by hanging of him vp by his members by a pulley, to hoist him vp and downe: and by the great paine which he suffered there, he requested to be let downe, for that as their he would tell him the truth:A notable coūterfait discouered and being come downe, he declared that hée was a spie, and was sent thether, to discouer how manye men the Captaine generall had, and what weapons, forso­much as he was ill beloued along all that Coast, because he was a Christian.A kinde of boates so called And that there were manyr Atalayas or Foysts placed in euery Baye or Kricke to set vpon him: howbeit they durst not vntill such time as there came the­ther other fortie great Vessells, which were a making in a readinesse for to ioyne with those that are armed, and so to set vpon him, and to take him: and therefore in the meane space he was sent to knowe what he sayd, he affirmed al­so, that he knewe not certainelye, when those fortie sayle woulde come. This much he declared after that he had re­ceiued thrée or foure torments: all the rest they vnderstood by coniectures, forsomuch as he did not perticularlye declare the same.

The Captaine generall séeing that he would declare no more, was contented with the aduice he had giuen him, and commaunded him to prison vnder the hatches, for to carrie with him vnto Portingale: also to be cured verye well, and to giue him some refreshing of victualles. After­ward he tolde him that he did not minde to kéepe him pri­soner to haue him as his Captiue, but to carie him vnto the King his Master, to the ende he might tell him some newes of the Indias, knowing verye well that he would rewarde him. Now the Captaine generall hauing knowledge of the comming of his enimies, would therefore tarrie no longer then whilest his ship was new dressing, the which was done in ten dayes.

At this instaunt the Captaine generall was offered for the shippe, the which shippe he had taken of the eight, that [Page] did set vpon him a thousand Fanons, but he wold not take it, saieng that he wold not sell any thing y^t was his enimies, but commaunded the same to be burnt. The Captaine Ge­neralls ship being ready and the water being taken in, hée immediately departed vpon the fifth daye of October, and go­ing a Sea boord, about a two hundred leagues from thaf I­land, then the Moore which he caried with him as prisoner, seeing there was no other remedie, said, that now he would tell him the truth how that indéede he did dwell with the Sabayo, to whom word was brought that the Captain ge­nerall went wandring vpon the Seas, as one that knewe not where he was, and therefore there was in preparing a great Fléete for to take him. The Sabayo hauing notice thereof, commaunded him to goe thether to visite him, and to marke how they went, and also to sée whether that hée could bring them to Goa, which if so be that he could bring to passe, he would as then laye hand vpon them, for that the fame went that they were valyaunt, and so meant to kéepe them to make warres against other Kings his next neigh­bours. These newes the Captaine Generall was glad to heare of, and gaue him from thenceforth better entertain­ment, & allowed him both apparell and also money, & after­ward he was made a Christian, to whom he gaue for name Gaspar, A Moore christened in honour of one of the thrée Kings, called Magus of that name, and for that the Captaine generall was his God father, he gaue him the title of his surname, and so euer after he was called Gaspar de la Gamas.

¶How the Captaine generall went forwarde on his Voyage towarde Mylynde, and of the great troubles he past, vntill such time as he came thether. Chap. 26.

[Page 65] FOllowing from hence his course towards Mylynde, whether hee was minded to returne to take in there an Embassadour, he went alwayes in cruell stormes, which the Captaine generall continually indured, vntil such time he had en­tred the goulfe, & hauing alwayes the winde right against him, it was the occasion that the shippes made but small way, and therefore it was the longer time before he entered the gulfe. But after that he was entered within the same, he was again troubled with great calmes, which on the Sea is very troublesome, not only for the go­uerning of their ships, but also with the heat, which is more hurtfull vpon the sea, then vpon the land, for that ther is no couering to defend the Sunne,Men stif­led vvith the Sunne onely. whereon with the same on­ly men are stiffeled vp, as hath bene séene in the voyage to­ward the Indias. And as I say the winde hauing coursing thus with the heates, the space of many dayes together, did afterward returne and breake vp in contrary windes to go forward, and very good to goe backward. But the Captaine generall being loath to go backward, wold yet rather tarie ther wher he was, as indéed he did. And when he perceiued that the winde was so great and the Seas went so high, that there was no tarrieng for him with his shippes, then was he driuen of force to kéepe the Seas, sometime on this boord, and sometime that; so that both he and his men pas­sed great troubles, by reason they all had inough to doe to gouerne their ships. And hoping that after so great stormes there would come faire weather, were driuen once more to pray for those great calmes which they had before. And when they sawe that this weather was like to endure ma­ny dayes, and that their water beganne to fayle them, was the occasion that the Captaine Generall commaunded the same to be deliuered by order.

[Page] And going in this necessitie, and also with fowle weather, the people began to fall sicke a disease in their gums, as they did in the riuer, De buenas Sennal [...]s, when as they went to Calicut, The Skurfe. & also their armes and legs did swell, be­sides other swellings which did rise in their bodyes, by rea­son of a pestilent stinking humour, which did cast them into a laske, and of this new infirmitie, there dyed to the num­ber of thirtie persons. And after that they began once to die, and had continued this kinde of weather vppon the Seas, ther arose such a feare amongst those that did remain aliue, that they fared in the same, as it were men amazed, and be­léeued verely that they should neuer goe from thence, for that as they thought this kinde of weather was alwayes durable there, and that the same was the cause that it indu­red so long. The Masters and Pilots of the Fléete were of the lyke opinion, which made the rest beléeue it the sooner, that by this meanes the crye of all those that were there, as well of them that were sicke as of the other, was great, saieng that since the weather would not serue them to goe from thence, yet they requested him not to be an occasion of their death, but rather consent to retourne vnto Calycut, or els to some other place in the Indias, and béeing ther, to receiue what God shuld appoint them, rather then to dye in those seas of to terrible diseases, for which ther was no likelihoode of any remedie, in especiall hauing lacke of all other things, as of victuals and water, which as then they began to want, by reason that by their long continuaunce in the said place was all spent. The Captaine generall séeing the great feare that his men were in, and for to animate them the more, sayd vnto them all on this sorte, requesting them to be content, and not to beléeue that such weather as was there coursed by them on that sorte, was alwayes lyke to continue, for if so bée that it were so, then there woulde be no Nauigation from the Goulph to the Strayghtes of Meca, nor to Mylynde, nor yet from anye other place, by the which they shoulde passe: And that it was not vn­possible, but that they might somewhat digresse from [Page 65] their right course, and therefore they met with these calmes and windes which they indured, yet those he saide should haue an ende, and with the same, their troubles will lyke­wise ende.

But for all this, the Marriners woulde not beléeue him, for that in this trouble they had continued foure mo­nethes, and also that there were dead of theyr fellowes, thirtie persons: so that there were so fewe of them remay­ning,A vvofull mortalitie that there was not to euery ship sixtéene persons left to gouerne the same: and of them there were some, that were verye sicke of the disease aboue sayde. By this meanes they fell into such a desperation, by reason that they thought they shoulde goe no further, and as they doe affirme, that Paulo de la Gama, and Nicholas Coello, bée­ing both of them Captaines made agréement each of them in theyr Shippes to the other, that if so bée that there woulde come anye Winde, by the which they might retourne into the Indias, that then they woulde surelye doe so.

Béeing thus determined, vppon a sodayne there came a fresh gale of Winde, with the which the Fléete might goe forwarde, and with the same in sixteene dayes they came within sight of lande, béeing on a Wednesday the seconde of Februarye: at the which the Marriners re­ioyced in such sort that by meanes of the same, they had forgotten theyr troubles and daungers that they were past, and gaue vnto God great thankes for all his gra­cious benefites.

And when that they hadde sight of the Lande, they founde themselues so néere vnto it, that the Captaine ge­nerall gaue commaundement to cast about into the Sea, so much as might bée thought sufficient for to staye vntill the morning, the which béeing come, they went foorth­with for to reknowledge the Lande, and for to sée where they were, for that as now there was none that knewe the same, although that one of the Moores sayde, that they hadde then taken theyr Course directlye towardes [Page] Monsanbique, which standeth betwéene certaine Ilandes, standing ouer against them, thrée hundred leagues of the shore, whereas the people of the same Countrey are conti­nually sicke of the same disease, that our men were. The morning being come he went to reknowledge the land, and came before a goodly great Citie, which was walled round about and within the same, very faire and high houses, and in the midst of the same there was a great Pallaice, which stood very high, and séemed to be of a goodly building, all this they saw very well out of their ships. This Citie is called Magadoxo, The Citie of Maga­doxo. which standeth at the ende of the said goulfe in the Coast of Aethiopia, a hundred & thirtéene leagues from Mylynde, the scituation whereof I shall declare héereafter. And for that the Captaine generall knew the same to bée a Citie of Moores, when as hée went along the Coast, hée commaunded to shoote of manye péeces of Ordi­naunce, and also for that he coulde not tell how farre hée was from Mylynde, from thence forward he stayed in the night, because he would not passe the same. Foorthwith, on Saturday being the fifth of Februarie, lieng ouer against a village of the Moores, which they call Pate, being a hundred and thrée leagues from Magadoxo, there came from thence eight Terradas which is a certaine kinde of Boates of that Countrey, being all full of Souldiours, and made theyr waye straight towarde our Fléete, fromwhence we shot so many péeces of Ordinaunce, that they thought themselues happy to haue escaped by running awaye. Howbeit our men did not followe them for lacke of winde. The next Mun­daye following, the Generall arriued at Mylynde, and bée­ing there, the King sent to visite the Captaine Generall with sundrye fresh victualls, sending him word also, how glad hée was of his comming. The Generall aunswered him againe, by Fernan Martines, by whome hée sent him a Present: and for because of those that were sicke, whome hée was desirous to haue cured, hée tarryed there fiue dayes, in the which time, there died of them many. [Page 67] At this present by the kings license, he caused to be set a land a marke, in token of friendship. And after that he had prouided himselfe of victuals, he departed on a wednesday in the morning, béeing the xvii. of Februarie, with an Em­bassadour whome the king did sende, to the king of Por­tingale, for a perpetuall confirmation of friendshippe be­twéene them.

Of the death of the Captaine Generalls brother, and of the burning of one of the ships called Saint Raphael, & also how he arriued in Por­tingale, and of the honour the king gaue him at their meeting. cap. 27.

NOw for that the Captaine Generall had not men inough to gouerne the whole Fléete, he thought good and that by the ad­uise of the other Captaines, to burne one of those shippes, and that the same should be Saint Raphael, which they determi­ned to doe the rather, forsomuch as the same was al open, and they had not brought him a grounde as they did the others, and also determined to burne the same vppon the shoels of Saint Raphael, The Ra­phaell burned. vnto which place they came on the Sunday following, where (what for taking in of her furniture, as also for burning the same) he spent fiue daies, and during that time from a village the which is called Tangata, there were brought to sell many hens. This bée­ing done the Captaine Generall departed, hauing with him in his shippe his brother called Paulo de la Gama, and on the .xx. of Februarie he found himselfe with onely Nicho­las Coello in the Iland of Zenziber, The Ile of Zenzi­ber. which standeth in the altitude of sixe degrées, lieng but ten leagues from the firme land. This Iland is verye greate with the other two that standeth néere vnto it, whereof the one is called Pemba, and the other Mofya, and are verye fertill, and haue in them great store of victualls. Their groues are of Orenge [Page] trées, which bringeth forth goodly Orenges. They are in­habited by Moores, which are but a weake kinde of people, and they haue but small store of weapons, howbeit they goe very well apparelled, in silke and fine cloath made of Cotten, the which they doe buye in Mombassa, of Mer­chants of Cambayo. The women haue store of iewells of golde from Sofala, and of siluer from the Iland of Saint Larence. They are merchants & their trade is in the firme land, and thether they do carry victuals to sell in litle boats. Each of these Ilands hath a king of himselfe, the which al­so doe obserue Mahomets lawe as all the rest of the sub­iectes doe.

As soone as the king of Zenziber hearde that the Captaine Generall was there arriued, he sent to visit him and sent him great presents of the fruits of the country, re­questing him of his friendship, to the which he agréed. Af­ter all this he departed on the first of March, and came to an Ankor before the Ilands of Saint George in Monsan­bique, and the next day after he sent a marke to be erected within that Ilande, where at his going thether he heard Masse, & without any conuersation with those of Monsan­bique he departed. And on the third of March he came to the Iland of Saint Blase, where he stayed to take in his water, and to victuall himselfe of Sea woulfes, and of So­litarius, which they salted to eate whilest they were on the sea, and for the same they gaue God great thanks. After that they were departed from thence (being once before putte back with westerly winds) which blew right against them, God of his goodnes sent them so prosperous a winde, that on the twentith of March, they hadde doubled the Cape of Buena Esperansa with great pleasure, forsomuch as all those that came thether were all in health and verie strong, and as they thought were all in good liking to ar­riue at Lishborne.

And finding héere a colde Winde which endured well twentye dayes, did set them in a good forwardnesse to­warde the Ilande of Santiago, which by theyr Sea cardes [Page 68] was by the Pilots we known not to bée at the vttermost a hundred leagues from thence. Some there were that thought themselues to bée with the same, but it was not so.

Héere that goodly and fayre winde did faile them, and forsomuch as the Captaine Generall would néedes knowe where that he was, (for that hée coulde not tell) by reason there fell certeine showres which came from the lande­warde, he commaunded to make as much waye as they coulde possible. And going after this sorte, on Thursdaye being the xxv. of Aprill, he commaunded the Pilot to let fall his Plommet, who founde that they were in xxv. fa­thome.

Yet in all that daye, sailing and kéeping the selfe same course, the least water that they came to, was at xx. fathome, and therefore the Pilottes iudged themselues to bée vppon the shoels Del zio Grands. All the rest of this voyage perticularlye what aduentures the Captaine Generall did passe, vntill such time as he came to the I­lande of Santiago, I coulde not come to the knowledge thereof, but only how that as they went néere to the same, Nicholas Coello to carry the king newes of this discoue­rie, did on a certeine night a parte himselfe from the Cap­taine Generall, and followed his course vnto Portingale, where hée arriued at a place called Cascais on the x. of Iu­ly, in the yeare of our Lorde God. 1499. who informed the king of all that the Captaine Generall hadde past in the discouery of the Indias, and of the commodytyes that he had brought with him from thence. Of whose discouery the king was so gladde to heare of, and that they might trade into the Indias by sea, as when he was proclaimed king of the kingdomes of Portingale. Now after that the Captaine Generall founde missing Nicholas Coello hée went forwarde on his course towarde the Ilande of San­tiago, for because his Brother was verye sicke of a Tyssicke, and also for that his Shippe made but small waye, for that shée was all open, and therefore hée [Page] did fraight there a Caruell which he found there for to car­rye him to Portingale before that he should dye, who left there Iohn de Sala for Captaine of his ship as I sayd be­fore, who as soone as the ship was new rigged, had charge to bring the same to Portingale, from the which place the Generall departed, with his brother in the Caruell, whose infirmitie did dayly increase, in such sort that the Captaine Generall was driuen to beare with the Iland of the Ter­ceras. And béeing there arriued, commaunded that his bro­ther might be brought a lande, where he was so cruellye handled with his disease that he dyed thereof, who at his end shewed himselfe to be a good and perfect christian, and a very honest Gentleman. After that he was dead and bu­ried, the Captaine Generall departed toward Portingale, who came to Belen in the moneth of September, in the selfe same yere. 1499. being two yere & two moneths past after his departure frō Lishborne, with 108. men & of them came backe but fiftie aliue, which considering theyr great trauaile and trouble that they had past, was verye much. After that the Captaine Generall had giuen God greate thanks for that he had escaped so many great daungers, he sent word of his arriuall vnto the king of Portigale, who for the great pleasure that he receiued of his comming sent Don Diego de la Silua de Menesis, Lord of Portugalete, with many other Gentlemen to receiue him as they did, & brought him vnto y^e court w^t an excéeding great number of people, that came thether to sée so new & rare a matter, as that was of y^e Captaine General, not onely for that hée had done, but also for that they tooke him for dead: béeing come to the kings presence, his highnesse gaue him so great an honour as such a one deserued, who by the discouerie of the Indias, did giue so great a glorie vnto the eternall God, and honour and profit to the crowne and kingdome of Por­tingale, and a perpetuall fame to all the world. Afterward he made him knight, & to him and to his heires for euer he gaue for armes the royal armes of Portingal, & also to set at the foote of the Scutchin two Does the which they call [Page 69] Gamas. Also he gaue him towarde this his liuing thrée hundred thousand Ceis a yeare, the which may be worth of our money 200. pound a yeare, and this to be paied out of the tiths of the fish in the village of Sinis. Moreouer hée promised him to make him Lord of the said village, forso­much as he was borne there. And vntill such time that he could giue him y^e same, he allowed him a thousand crowns a yeare, the which he did well perfourme, from that time forwarde, and after that he had receiued the possession ther­of, he did passe it ouer vnto the house appointed, for the con­traction of the Indias. Moreouer he graunted him that af­ter the trade of the Indias was setteled or established, that then he might lade for his own account to the sum of. 200. Duckats in spices, & that without paieng for the same any custome at all. Also he gaue him other possessions & rents and a bill of remembraunce to make him Lorde. As for Nicholas Coello, he made him a Gentleman of his house, and gaue him possessions, and did allowe him some recom­pence toward his charges. The king himselfe with this new discouerie did increase his titles with a newe and a famous stile, of Lorde of the conquest and nauigation of Aethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and of the Indias.

How the king of Portingale did nominate A Pe­dro al Verez Cabral for Captaine Generall of a Fleete towarde Calicut, for to settle there a factorie, and of his departure from Lishborne. Chap. 28.

BEing certainlye knowne to the king of Portingale, The pre­paration vnto y^e se­cond voi­age. that from his kingdome there is a nauigation to the Indias, and also of the innumerable riches, that there are in those parts among the Gentiles, sundrye Christians, did therfore determine to pro­secute and followe the discouerye of the same, giuing all praise and lande vnto the eternall God, for his great bene­fits [Page] that he hath bestowed vpon him, to let him be the first that hath discouered this new worlde, the which hath al­wayes beene so close vpon the Sea, that there hath béene none in all Europe that durst aduenture that waye. But hée not remembring the trouble of his spirite, ney­ther yet the spending of his treasure, nor the daunger of his subiects, woulde neuerthelesse take this most famous enterprise in hande, for that there might bée in the Indias publyshed the Euangelicall lawe, to the ende that those kinde of lost people, might receiue the same, as also for the increasing, not onelye of his owne treasure, but gene­rallye the benefite of all his subiects.

And that the same might take the better effect, hée determined to giue the attempt (if it were possible) to set­tle a Factorye in Calycut by gentlenesse, for as hée once vnderstoode that the dwellers in the same were inclined to trade, he thought that after this sort there wold grow be­tweene them and vs conuersation, and so a friendshippe, the which might bée an occasion that they woulde incline themselues to heare the worde of God preached. And bée­ing thus fullye determined, hée commaunded to bée in a readinesse against the next yeare following, a Fléete of ten shippes and two Caruells, which shoulde goe well laden with all such thinges as Vasco de la Gama shoulde in­forme him to bée spent in Calycut. Also there went others towarde Sofala and Quyloa, where also hée commaunded certeine Factoryes to bée setteled, not onelye for the golde which they haue there, but also that theyr shippes might alwayes touch there. And concerning such as shoulde bée appointed for Calycut, The names of the Gene­ralls Cap­taines, & Factors. he named for Captaine Generall of this Fléet, a Gentleman called Pedro Aluares Cabral, who came of an honourable house of the Cabralls, and for his pettie Captaine, a Gentleman called Sancho de Toar. The names of the other Captaines as manye as I knewe were these, Nicholas Coello, Don Luis continuo, Simon de Myseranda, Simon Leyton, Bartholome Dyas, who discouered the Cape Bu [...]na Esperansa, Dyego Dyas, [Page 70] his brother, y^t which went before for purser with Vasco de la Gama. Those that wer Captaines of y^e Caruels were one Pedro de Taide, and Vasco de la Siluera, and for Factor of the whole Fléete, was one Aries Correa, who lykewyse should remaine for Factor in Calycut, and for his clarkes there were appointed one named Gonsalo Gyl Barbasa, & Pedro vas Caninon. Of this Fléete there shoulde remaine and staie with the Merchants and Merchaundise in Sofala two ships, and with the same shoulde contineu for Factor one called Loriso Hurdato. In this Fléet ther went. 1500. men. The Articles which the Captaine Generall carryed in his instructions, besides those of the setling of the Facto­ry was, y^t if so he y^t the king of Calycut would not quietly consēt, or giue sufficient lading, for those ships which he ca­ried nor consent to haue the factorie setled there: That then he should make him most cruell war, for the iniury which he shewed vnto Vasco de la Gama. And if so bée that the Factorie might be quietly settled, then he should request the king in secret that he doe not consent in Calycut, or in anye other of his harbours belonging to his kingdome, any of the Moores of Meca to remaine ther, forsomuch as hée would send him from hence forth all such Merchaun­dise as they doe bring, and that farre better cheap then they doe sell the same. Moreouer, that in theyr waye they doe touch at Milinde to set ther a land the Embassador, which Vasco de la Gama brought from thence, and to sende the king a present. Also the king did send with the Fléete fiue Friers of the order of Saint Fraunces, of whome went for Vicar, a Frier called Fraij Henrique, the which was af­terward Bishop of Siebta, Friers sent to the Malabars. and he to remaine in the Fac­torie, to preach the Catholike faith vnto the Malabars.

The Fléet beeing dispatched, the king in person on Sunday being the .viii. of March went to heare Masse at the Mona­sterie of Belem, going thether in Procession, hauing the Captaine Generall, the which heard Masse with him, with­in the curten, for on that sort, he ment to giue honour to such as did serue him in such daungerous affaires as this was.

[Page] The Masse was said after the Portingale order, and at the same there was a Sermon made by Don Diego Ortis, who was then Bishoppe of Vyse [...], who gaue great praise vnto the Captaine Generall for accepting the saide voiage at the kings hands, since that therby he did not onely serue the king, who is his temporall Lord, but also the eternall God, who is spirituall. And also that euery one might wel know that none of all the nobles, the which are so highlye commended as well in the Grecian histories as in the La­tine and barbarous, was equall vnto the Captaine Gene­rall in taking vpon him this voyage. And further he gaue him other greate prayses for the which hée was enuyed at, the Masse béeing ended, there was a Banner which had the royall armes of Portingale, vpon the same deliuered vn­to the Bishoppe, who after that hée had blessed the same, the king with his owne hand did deliuer it vnto the Cap­taine Generall, for to bestowe it in his maine toppe. And after that hée had receiued the same,A ievvell of great price. he tooke at the Bi­shops hands a bonnet or night cap the which the Pope had blest, and sent for a great iewell, and with his owne hands did put the same on the Captaine Generalls head, say­eng that he did present vnto him a iewell the which he did much estéeme. And afterward that the Bishop had giuen him his blessing, the king with the same did accompanie him to the water side, where the Captaine generall with al the Captaines of the fléete tooke their leaue of the king, and did kisse his hands, and the king gaue them Gods blessing & his, with the which they went all a boorde, from whence they shot off all the ordinance that was in the Fléete, the which made a wonderfull noise. The king béeing returned to Lishborne, for that the Fléete could not that daye de­part, by reason of the weather. The next daye which was the ninth of March, in the yeare of our Lorde. 1500. ha­uing a sufficient good gale of winde, with the which the Fléete might goe out of the Riuer. The Captaine Ge­nerall did then make a signe that the rest of the Fléete shoulde weye their Ankors, the which immediatlye they [Page 71] did begin with great diligence and triumph that the Mar­riners made. And when it was eight of the clocke in y^• mor­ning the whole Fléete hauing wayed, did then begin to cut and spread their sayles with a great pleasure, and crie saieng altogether, Buen viage, that is to say, A luckie and prospe­rous voyage. After all this they beganne all to be ioyfull, euery man to vse his seuerall office, the Gouernour in the midst of the ship, haling the maine shéetes, with the Cap­steine. The Mariners and ship boyes, some in the forecastell haling bollings, braces, and Martnets: other belying the shéetes both great and small, and also seruing in trimming the sayles, and others the nettings and foretop sayles, other some vering the trusses and also beleying brases and toppe sayles shéetes, and coyling euery sort of ropes. It was won­derfull to sée such a number of diuersities of offices, in so small a roome, as is the bredth and length of a ship. All the Fléete being vnder sayle, departed that daye without anye stay by a quarter winde, and béeing with the same vnder sayle, on the xiiij. of March, they came within the sight of the Canar [...]as, and on the xxij. of the same moneth, they past by the Iland called Santiago, and on the xxiiii. of the same moneth, they lost the company of one of their ships, of the which went for Captaine one Vasco de Tayde, who was Captaine of the Fléete also, although he neuer declared the same, the which neuer after was seene.

¶How the Captaine generall came vnto Brasill, and afterward how there was lost foure ships of the Fleete. Chap. 29.

THis ship being thus gone, the Captaine ge­nerall tarried for the same two dayes, and on the xxiiii. of Aprill they did des [...]ry land, of the which they were verye glad, not only for that they had discouered the same, but because that the Pilots supposed the [Page] same to be some other land, that Vasco de la Gama had not discouered, for that it stoode to the East, and immediatly the Captaine Generall commaunded his Master to goe in his small boate and to sée what kinde of people were those that dwolt in the sayd Countrey, who retourned with an aun­swere, saieng, that the same lande was a goodly fayre and fertill Countrey, in the which there were great store of wordes, and that there walked many men along the water sides with this newes, the Captaine generall came to an Ankor, & sent once more his Master with great dilygence to enforme himselfe of the Countrey and of their dwellings, and found that the people were of colour somewhat blacke, and men well proportioned, howbeit they went all naked, hauing both bowes and arrowes. But when night was come, there fell so great a storme that the Captaine generall with all the rest of the Fléete, were faine to wey theyr An­kors, and runne along the Coast, vntill such time as they found a good Port, in the which they came to an Ankor, vn­to the which the Captaine generall did giue for name, Pu­erto Seguro, forsomuch as the same serued for all wethers. Héere our men tooke two men of that Countrry, the which went in an [...] who were brought before the Cap­taine generall, that he might informe himselfe what Coun­try that was, which could not be known notwithstanding, forsomuch as there was none in all the fléete that could vn­derstand them, by any tokens or signes. The Captaine ge­neral séeing y^t ther was no meanes for to informe himselfe by thē, cōmanding to giue them apparell, y^t the others might be desirous to bring thē victuals to sel, w^t other things which they had in their country, & with this they went their way, w^t great ioy of y^t Captain generals gift. And when they wer come a land amongst their cōpanions, & they perceiued their good entertainment, did aduenture to come to conferre with our men. The Captaine general finding himself indifferently in this country, did determine to take in fresh water to cō ­fort his men w^tall, for y^t he knew not when he shuld chance w^t like opportunitie. And for y^t God might y^e rather and thē, [Page 72] he commanded on y^e next day, which was on Easter wéeke, a Masse shuld be said a land, y^t which was so done w^t great solemnitie & that vnder a pauillion, in which ther was made a Sermon by Fraij Henrique, Doctor of Diuinitie. And whilest y^• diuine seruice was a celebrating, there assembled many of y^e country people together, which shewed thēselues to be very merry w^t plaieng & leaping which they made, be­sides their sounding vpon cornets, horns, & other instrumēts. After Masse was ended, & that y^e Captaine generall was go­ing a ship boord, these people went w^t him vntil he tooke his boat, singing & making a thousand manner of pastimes: this day after dinner, y^• Captaine general gaue our men license to go a land to buy & sell w^t them, which they did, & in truck of paper & cloth, they gaue them parrats, & other sundry sort of birds, which were all very faire, whereof they haue great a­bundance,Ornamēts made of Parrats feathers. with the which they make fethered hats & night caps, which are very gallant. Some of our men y^t went to sée their townes do declare y^e the same is a goodly country & fertill of woods, w^t great store of goodly waters, & plentie of fruits, & that ther is gathered in y^e same gret quantitie of cot­ten.The coū ­trey of Brasil dis­couered And for y^t this country is y^t which we cal Brasil, which to all men is common, I will not speake of y^• same further, but only y^t in viii. daies that y^• Captaine generall staid ther, was séene a fish which y^e sea did cast a land, y^t was greater then any Tonel, & of y^e bredth of two of thē, howbeit he was round: y^• head & eyes were much like vnto a hogs, his cares like vnto an Elephants, he had no téeth, but vnder his bel­ly he had two issues, his taile was thrée quarters of a yard in breadth, & as much in length, his skinne, was lyke vnto a Hogges skinne, which was a finger thicke. In this I­lande the Captaine generall commaunded to be erected a high Crosse of stone, and therfore he gaue the same to name La tierra de Santa Crus. From hence he sent a Caruell which he brought foorth with him for the same purpose, with letters vnto the King his Lorde, of all that which had chaunced him vnto this place, and how that he had left there two bannished men of those twentie, the which [Page] he carried with him, to the ende they might better enforme themselues what Countrey that same was, and whether it were a firme lande, as it did appeare vnto them, all, by the great distance of the Coast that they had found, and because of the great voyage which he had taken in hande to make, he could not send to know perfectly. With this Caruel he sent a man of that Countrey for a shew, by what kinde of people the same was inhabited. This Caruell being depar­ted, the next day after being the second day of May, the Cap­tain generall departed with all his Fléete, bearing his course toward the Cape Buena espe [...]ansa, the which was from thence almost 1200. leagues, which is a great and fearfull gulph to passe, by reason of the great windes which doe course in those partes, most of the time. And being vnder sayle in the same, on the xii. of Maye there appeared in the Element a great Comet with hir beames,A Comet seene in the elemēt the which came out of the Orient, and for the space of x. dayes did alwayes appeare as well in the night as in the daye, alwayes inlarg­ing his beames. On Saterday being the xxiii. of May, there came amongst all the Fléete such a storme from the North­east, that all the Fléete was faine to take in their sayles, hauing the Seas very high mingled with pretie showers of raine And for that the same storme was afterwarde some­what abated, they brought themselues vnder their forefailes againe, and at night the winde being altogether calme, such ships as wer left behind, did spred out also their sprit saile, to ouertake those y^t went before. And going by after windes, & following their course by the South, the Sunday being the xxiiii. of May, the winde beganne to increase, which was the occasion that the Captaine generall commanded their sailes to be taken in, and to fardle vp their sprits sailes, the which being done, the like did all the other Captaines, and going on this sort on Sunday, betwéene x. and xi. of the clocke of the day, did begin to ariue in the Northwest a spowte, with the which the winde calmed in such sorte, that the sailes did beate against the Mast, and the Pilots being (not as yet acquainted with the secret signification of a spowte) for that [Page 73] they had not trauayled those Seas, thought the same to bée a signe of faire weather, and of great calmes: by reason whereof, they neuer made any kinde of alteration in anye thing, appertaining to their sayles. Vpon this on a Sun­daye, there came such a winde and so furious, that then they had no time to amayne and take in theyr sayles, by reason whereof, there were foure Shippes sunke without escaping one person of them all,four ships sunke by tempest, and of one of these was Captayne one Bartholomew Dias. The other seauen re­mayned halfe full of water, which they had taken in, which lykewise had sunke, if so be that parte of theyr sayles had not bene torne.

And after that the winde verred to the Southwest they bare with the same, the which was so great that they were driuen to roue all that daye and the next night following without sailes, so that the one could not sée the other, & how­soeuer as yet the returne of any other wind was not come, they were driuen to such daunger that they thought there­by they should loose their liues, forsomuch as the rest of the Fléete was so cast away before their eyes, wherewith they were stroken into a very great pensiuenesse. The next day the winde being somewhat incalmed, with the same the Fléete did ioyne themselues together againe, and immediat­ly after, the winde came to the East and Northeast, which was so great that it made the Seas to goe higher then euer they did before,A vvōderful storme and great Seas. and so the same endured the space of xx. dayes: and all this time the shippes laye a hull, although they proued fiue times to hoyse vp their sayles, as aforesaid. Now the Seas went so high to all theyr iudgements, they thought it vnpossible for the shippes to escape: for ouer and besides that, by the working of them it was thought, that sometime they did hoyse vp theyr shippes aboue the Ele­ment, and other times when the shippes began to descend, they fell as it were downe a monstrous hill, that they fea­red they should be all swallowed vp in the Intralles of the Earth.

In the daye the water was of the colour of pitch, and [Page] in the night of fire. The tackling with the other furniture of the Shippes, with the great force of the winde, made such a terrible noyse, and was so fearefull to heare, that the same is incredible to be beléeued, but by those onelye that endured and passed the same, with the force of this, the Fléete was separated into sundry places. The Cap­taine Generall bare vp with Symon de Myranda, and Pe­dro de Tayde, whether the winde would carry them: all the others went at Gods mercie.

Of the meeting of the King of Quiloa & the Cap­taine generall, at which time there was set downe a Trade and Factorie, and how the King repen­ted himselfe of the same afterward. Cap. 30.

AFter that the Captaine Generall had past with parte of his Fléete, these great stormes didde finde him­selfe to haue doubled the Cape, without anye sight of the same, ha­uing in his company no more then two Shippes, which bare alwayes vp with him. And the Lorde ha­uing vsed alwaies towardes them his wonderfull great mercie, he came within sight of the lande the sixtéenth day of Iuly, towarde the which he com­maunded to beare, howbeit the Pilots did not knowe the same, notwithstanding they found that it stoode in the alti­tude of xxvii. degrées, they were so néere vnto lande, that the Shippes laye with their beake heads close to the same. But the Captaine generall would not consent that anye of his men shoulde goe a lande: yet from their shippes they might easilye perceiue, that the same was well inhabited, [Page 74] for the great number of people they did sée there, and yet of all those there came none to the water side, to sée what we were.

After that he sawe that there was no hope to haue anye refreshing from thence, hée did afterwarde procure the same from the Sea, where there was great plentie of fish, where our men was driuen to fish for it. Afterwarde the Captaine generall commaunded to weye their Ankors, and to followe his course, so néere vnto the shore, that he might well sée great numbers and store of sundrye beastes, which fed along the Riuer, that entred into the Sea, and also they sawe many people.

Now going on that sort,They cōe to Sofala the Captaine generall did passe vnto Sofala, with the which as yet the Pilot was not ac­quainted, and being néere to the same, he sawe two I­landes and right ouer against one of them there was ri­ding at an Ankor two Shippes, which as soone as they had discouered our Fléete, did beginne to flye awaye to­warde the shore. And for that the Captaine generall sawe that they fiedde, he commaunded to followe them, which was done in such sort that our men did ouertake them, and tooke some of them prisoners, for that they did not defende themselues, and concerning the chiefest person that was in these Shippes, the Captaine Generall was aduertised that he was the King of Mylyndes néere kinsman, and was going from Sofala laden with Golde to Mylynde. Who confessed, that when they had descryed our Ships, they receiued such a feare, as though they shoulde bée taken, and that therefore they did throwe the most part of theyr Golde into the Sea, and they themselues ranne a lande.

After that all this was done, y^e Captaine general told him that he was very sory for theyr so great mischance & losse, in especially for so much as the King of Mylynde was in so great a credite with the King of Portingale his Master, which is the occasion, that all Portingales are and shall bée alwayes at his commaundement. And hauing shewed [Page] vnto him great courtesie, he commaunded the Shippes to be retourned with all the golde they hadde founde in the same.

The Moore asked of him whether he had brought with him any Witches, that they might with words of inchant­ment fetch vp such golde as was throwen into the Sea. To whom the Captaine generall made aunswere, that the Christians doe beléeue in the true God, who hath and doth defende them so, that they doe not vse nor beléeue in witch­craft, and therefore they do not vse the same. Of this Moore the Captaine generall was aduertised, that he hadde some­what ouer runne Sofala, and for that he would not returne backe, he did at this time leaue it, and hauing dispatched the Moore, followed his course, and on the xx. of Iuly arriued at Monsanbique, where he tooke in his water, and a Pilot to carry him to the Ilande of Quiloa, toward the which he di­rected his course, running along the Coast. In this his voy­age he saw sundry profitable Ilands which were belonging to the King of Quiloa, The king of Quiloa a mightie Prince. which as I haue declared is a great Prince, and is Lord from the Cape De las correntes, almost vnto Mombassa, y^e which is welnéere foure hundred leagues of Coast, in the which there doe enter the two Ilands that I haue spoken of before, ouer and besides Sofala, and other sundry Townes vnto Monsanbique, and from thence as many more vnto Mombassa, with an infinit number of I­landes, that doth yéeld him great rents. Notwithstanding as touching his estate it is but small, for he is not able to make many men of warre: his abode is alwayes in Qui­loa, in a certaine Ilande, which is a hundred leagues be­yonde. Monsanbique in the Coast of Aethiopia, néere to the firme lande, the which is verye fertill of Orchardes, and Woodes, that beare sundry sorts of fruites, there are excel­lent good waters, and also they doe ripe great store of Mi­so, and other seedes which they doe sow, and there is bred vp in the same great store of small Cattell. In those Seas there is great plentie of Fish, and that verye good. So that what with the victualls that they haue in the lande, [Page 75] and what there commeth from other places of the firme land,The de­scriptiō of the city of Quyloa. the Citie is plentifully prouided, which citie is com­passed about with faire gardens on the one side, & with the sea on the other, which causeth the same to shew very plea­sant, it standeth in ix. degrées to the South, & is also greate and full of people. Their houses are made of lime & stone, in the which there are goodly chambers. Their king is a Moore, and so are the inhabitants, the naturall people of the Countrie are a kinde of blacke people, and those that are strangers are white, their common language is Algarauia. They doe apparell themselues very richly, in especiall the women, for they carry alwaies vpon them great store of iewels of gold. They are great Merchants, for their trade is of the gold that commeth from Sofala, and from this citie it is dispearsed to all the Countrie of Arabia Felix, & other places, and therfore there resort thether many merchaunts frō other places. Ther are alwaies in this port many ships which lyeth alwayes a ground when they haue no néed of thē.Shippes vvithout nailes. These ships haue no nailes, but are sowed together w^t ropes made of Cairo, & pitched ouer with wildincense, for because as in all y^t countrie there is no other kind of pitch. The winter in this countrie doth begin in Aprill, & ma­keth an end in September. The Captaine Generall bée­ing come to the harbour of this Citie, and hauing obteined of the king a safe conduct that hée might send him a mes­senger, did send vnto him Alonso Hurtado, who went ac­companied with seauen of the principals of their ships, and that they might shew themselues in more countenaunce & authoritie, they went in their best apparell. Béeing come before the king, he represented vnto him the message which the Captaine Generall gaue him, which was to signifie vnto him y^t he was come thether with y^e king of Portin­gale his Maisters fléete, to settle a trade in y^e citie, & to the same end had brought with him great store of merchandise y^• were conuenient to be spent in y^• country, & therfore he was desirous to talk with him therin, howbeit y^e king his mai­ster did countermand him y^t in any wise he shuld not leap a [Page] land, but make the agréement a sea boord, forasmuch as that is the auncient custome which the Captaines doe alwaies obserue in his coūtry, because y^t if so be ther shuld chance a­ny misfortūe to their general, which is their head, immedi­atly are cast away the rest that are vnder his gouernment. To this the king made answere with a good countenance, y^t he was also desirous to see the Captaine Generall, and to speak with him a sea boord, since there was no other reme­die, Alonso Hurtado hauing receiued this answere, made y^e Captaine Generall priuie therof, who y^e next day after tar­ryed for y^e king in his boat, which was couered ouer & set out with flags. There did attend vpon him al the rest of y^e Captaines in their boates, & at this present arriued there, Sancho de Toar with other two ships. The king thus be­ing looked for, at the length he came in an Almadia, béeing well accompanied with sundrie Gentlemen in other boats, lykewise furnished, which also were set out with flags, and had in them those that sounded vpon trumpets & cornets, & Sagbuts, which made a wonderfull great noise. Now the king being come where the Captaine Generall was tarri­eng for him, all his ordinance went of in such sort & with such a force, that it made the sea to tremble, wherwith the king and all his traine, forsomuch as they were not accu­stomed vnto the same,The mee­ting of y^e king & y^e Captaine Generall. were greatly afeard. As soone as the ordinaunce went of, the king & the Captaine General met, & that with great pleasure. And after that the king of Por­tingales letter was read, which was for y^• setling of a trade in his citie, he answered that he was contented therewith, & did agrée that the next day he should send Alonso Hurta­do a land, to tell him the sorts of the merchaundise that he had brought with him, & he wold giue him gold for y^e same. Vpon this agréement Alonso Hurtado was sent a land the next day following, howbeit he found the king far from y^e which was agréed vpō with y^e captain general y^e day before, yelding therfore sundry excuses,A maliti­ous & ferfull More▪ why he could not accōplish his promise, in especial for y^t he han no néed of his merchan­dise, & also for y^t he beléeued that y^e Captaine generall came [Page 76] thether to take his country from him. This sodeine chance was for this cause, forsomuch as he was a Moore, and wée were christians, it gréeued him to haue any conuersation or trade with vs. This being come to y^e Captaine generalls knowledge, he did as yet tarrye thrée or foure dayes, to sée whether y^• the king wold change any thing of his deter­mination or not, howbeit he did nothing alter his mind, but rather had our men in iealousie, fearing least that he shuld be driuen to do y^• by force, which he was loth to do, & ther­fore did fortifie himselfe with many men in a readinesse. As soone as the Captaine Generall heard of his dealing, he would spend no more time there, but departed toward Mi­linde, kéeping alwaies along the coast.

How the king of Milinde and the Captaine Generall met together, and how hee departed afterwards to­ward Calicut. Chap. 31.

ON the second day of August, he came to an ankor in the port of Mylinde, where hée found riding at an ankor thrée ships of y^e Moores y^e which wer of y^t Merchannts of the kingdome of Cambaya, but he would not meddle with them, although they were laden w^t great riches, because of y^e king of Milinde. Being come with al his fléet to an ankor, he saluted y^e citie w^t all his ordinance. The king with this sent to visit him, sending also vnto him for a present, both shéep, ducks, & hens, w^tout all number, besides sundrie sorts of fruits. Then y^• Captain general sent likewise to kisse his hands, by one of his fléet, & also to signifie vnto him, y^t thether he was come by his Master y^e king of Portingales cōmandement, to know whe­ther he had any need of this fléet to do him seruice w^tall, & also to certifie him, y^• he had to deliuer vnto him a rich pre­sent, with a letter, the which y^e King his master had like­wise sent vnto him, which he wold send whēsoeuer he wold cōmand y^e same, with this message y^e king shewed himself to be wel pleased, & cōmanded the messenger to remaine with him that night, with whom he talked and spent most part thereof in matters of Portingale. [Page] And as soone as it was day the king sent by two principall Moores word vnto the Captaine Generall,The kings message to y^e Cap­taine Ge­nerall. that he was ve­ry glad of his comming, and also to knowe whether he had néede of anye thing in his countrie which he might com­maund as his owne, and make as much account thereof, while he was there, as if he were in Portingale, conside­ring the greate good will which hée doth owe vnto the king of Portingale, and that in all his affaires he shuld make as much reckoning as of his owne home. The Captaine Ge­nerall hauing well vnderstood the kings message, vpon the same determined to send him the kings letter, which hée had brought, and also the present, which was all the furni­ture of a Iennet horse, which was also both rich & gallant. And hauing taken his counsel vpon y^e same, it was agréed vpon to send it, and that Aries Correa should haue the ca­riage thereof, forsomuch as hée was the factor of the whole Fleete, and also for that hée went for Factor to the king of Calicut, and that he should so goe accompanyed with the principalls of the Fléet, besides the trumpetors, that should goe alwaies sounding before him, which was so done. The king being informed of y^e cōming of Aries Correa, sent of the nobles of his Court to receiue him, which might the more easilye bée done, for that the kings pallaice was hard by the water side, and going altogether, there were cer­teine women which by the kings commaundement were tarryeng for their comming, with perfuming pans in their hands, out of the which there came so excellent a perfume, that it did replenish the whole earth therewith And passing after this sorte by these women, hée came to the kings pal­laice, who was sitting in his chaire of estate, and accompa­nyed with many noble mē & Gentlemen, who also receiued Aries Correa with great honour and pleasure, and also the present. Afterward he gaue him the letter which was writ­ten on both sides, on the one side was Portingale, the other in the Arabian tongue, which the king commanded forth­with to be read, which both he and all the nobilitie were very gladde to heare. And all they together with a lowde [Page 77] voice gaue God and Mahoma great thanks that they had permitted them to haue friendship w^t so great a Prince as y^e king of Portingale. And also being very wel pleased with the furniture of the Ienet, he requested Aries Correa to stay with him, whilest the Fléete did there remaine, which with the Captaine Generalls license he did, & during the three daies that he was with him, almost he spent his time in no other thing, but to knowe the vse & custome of the king of Portingale, & of the order of his gouernment, & also perti­cularly as though y^t he did remember no other matter all y^• time, & being desirous to see y^e Captain general, did procure with as much diligēce as he could to haue him a land, & to bring him to his pallaice, notwithstanding he made his ex­cuse, saieng, y^t the king his master had commanded him not to come a land in any port, with this answere y^e king was driuen to encounter with him vpon the water, who would néeds go as far as y^e water side on horsback, with y^• furni­ture of a Ienet y^t the king of Portingale had sent him. And for y^t in his country he had none y^t could tel y^e order therof, he requested one of our men to do so much. And when the king had all things in a redines, ther wer tarrieng for him certein of y^e principals, at y^e foot of a staire, & amongst them ther was brought a liue shéep, which whilest y^e king was cōming down, they did open as he was aliue, & after y^t they had taken out his guts & bowels, they laid y^• same vnder y^e horse féet. The king being now on horsbacke he went also with his horse vpon y^e shéepe, [...] which is a kinde of ceremony y^• the witches ther do vse. After y^t he had thus troden vpon the shéepe, he went toward y^e water side, with all his com­pany after him a foot, saieng w^t a lowd voice certein words of witchcraft. And after this sort he met with the Captaine Generall vpon y^e water, where he deliuered him a Pilot to carrie him to Calycut. Heere there were lefte with the king two of those banished men that they might enforme themselues of the countrie, as farre as in their strength, one of those was called afterwarde Machado, who after that hée had gotten the Arabian language, went by lande [Page] vnto the straights, and from thence vnto the kingdome of Cambaya, from whence he did passe to Balagarte, and did there settle himselfe, with the Sabayo, that was Lorde of Goa, saieng, that he was a Moore, and for the same, he was taken in all that Countrie, this his trauell was very pro­fitable to Alonso de Albu [...]querque, as you shall perceiue héereafter.

How the Captaine Generall arriued at Calycut, and how the king sent to visit him a boord his ship, and also how afterward he came a land for to see him, and of his receiuing there. Cap. 22.

THe Captaine Generall béeing returned to his ships, departed toward Calycut, being the 7. day of August, & on the 20. he came to Ansadina, wher he staied certeine daies for the comming of the shippes of Meca, with intent to set vpon thē if so be y^t they came thether. And whilest they were there, they did confesse themselues, and afterward did receiue the Sacrament, And they séeing that there came no ships, departed toward Calycut, and on the 13. of September he came to an ankor within a league of the same. And immediatly there came certeine Almadias toward our fléete,The king of Caly­cuts mes­sage to y^e Captaine Generall. to sell victuals, & also there came certein Nayres of y^e most principall belonging to y^• king of Calicut, with a certeine Guzarate merchant, by whom y^e king sent word vnto y^e Captaine General, y^• there could not haue happened a better thing vnto him then to vnderstand y^t he was come vnto his port, & that hée could not do him no better pleasure thē to command him, if ther were any thing in his citie y^t he had néed of, & he would ac­complish y^e same with great good wil: whervnto y^• Captaine generall made answere with great thanks, & séeing w^t what good will y^• king sent to visit him, he brought himself to an ankor néere vnto y^e citie, alwaies shooting of his ordinance, with y^e which he did salute thē, which was so great a won­der [Page 78] to the dwellers, that those that were Gentiles said, that against vs there were no resistaunce. The next daye fol­lowing by the consent of the Captaines of the Fléete, the Captaine Generall sent by one whose name was Gaspar, to demaund a safe conduct of the king for to send a mes­senger vnto him, sending also with the saide Gaspar those foure Malabars that Don Vasco de la gama had carried from Calicut. These went all apparelled in a gallant sort, after the Portingales order, whom all the citie came forth to sée, who meruailed to beholde them to returne so well, which was the cause that they were so well pleased with our men, & that they were had in so great reputation. But forsomuch as these were but fisher men the king woulde not sée thē, although he was glad to vnderstand after what sorte they returned, & commaunded y^t the said Gaspar shuld be brought before him, whome he receiued very well. And after that he knew wherfore he came, aunswered him, that whosoeuer of our men would come a lande, might with­out any feare at all. This answere béeing come to y^e Cap­taine Generalls eares, he sent presently vnto the king A­lonso Hurtado, to signifie vnto him y^t the said fléet belonged to the king of Portingale, of the which he went for Cap­taine Generall, and that his comming thether was for no other purpose but onely to settle w^t him a trade & friend­ship, for the which it was conuenient for him, to talke with him. Howbeit hée sayde, the king his Maister hadde commaunded him, that he shoulde not doe it, without he might for the assurance of his person, receiue some pledges to remaine in the shippes whilest hée was a lande with the king, and that the one of those pleadges should be the Catuall of Calicut, The king of Cali­cut ma­keth excuses vvhen he should deliuer pledges and Araxamenoca, the which is one of the principallest Nayres: And another there went with Alonso Hurtado, one that coulde speake the lan­guage, which shoulde declare vnto the king the effect of the message.

The king béeing héereof informed meruailed much to heare that the Captaine general did demand those pledges, [Page] which he did excuse to giue, forsomuch as they were sickly & olde, howbeit he said he would giue others that coulde better abide the brannesse of the sea. But afterwards hée did insist very much, not to giue any pleadges at all, forso­much as those that were Moores were verye sorrie to sée our men in Calycut, and gaue the king counsell to sende none, for that in giuing of any he might wel iudge therin y^• the Captaine Generall had but little confidence in him, and by this meanes he should remaine dishonoured. Yet for al this Alonso Hurtado did still insist in his demaunde. In this encountrie they spent thrée daies. At the end the king hauing a desire to haue a trade setled with ours, for the be­nefit that might redound vnto him by the same, did con­sent to Alonso Hurtado his request, in giuing the pleadges that were demaunded, which being come to the Captaine Generalls knowledge, he began to make himselfe in a rea­dinesse to goe and speake with the king, and to remaine a land thrée or foure daies, apointing in his place Sancho de Toar, to whom he gaue commaundement that there shuld be made for those pleadges at their comming aboord good enterteinment, and to looke well vnto them, and not to de­liuer them to any that should come to demaunde them, al­though they came in his name.

On the xxviii. daye of December the Captaine Gene­rall put himselfe in his best apparell, and carryed with him thirtie of the principall men of his Fléete, which shoulde remaine with him a lande, with others that were the kings seruauntes, which shoulde attende vppon him as vpon the kings own person. Hée commanded also to bée carryed with him all the furniture for his Chamber and Kitchin, with his Cupboorde of Plate, in the which there were many rich péeces of siluer gilted.

Nowe béeing with all these thinges in a readynesse to depart, there came from the Citie sundry principall Nayres, which were commaunded by the king to attende vppon the Captaine Generall, accompanyed with manye men, besides others that came sounding vppon Trum­pets, [Page 79] other vppon Sackbuts and other instrumentes. The Captaine generall being informed that the King was tarrieng for him in a certaine Galerie, which onelye for to receiue him in, he had commaunded to be made harde by the water side, tooke his boate and went toward the shore, bee­ing accompanied with all the other boats of y^e Fléete, which went all in good order, and set out with manye flagges and trumpets, which being ioyned together as wel these as those that came from the Citie, made a wonderfull noyse. With this came those pledges aboord the Generalls ship,Pleadges are sent a­boorde, vvhich feare to be taken cap­tiue. into the which they were loath to enter, vntill such time that y^e Cap­taine generall did disimbarke himselfe a lande, giuing ther­by to vnderstand that they wer afeard that they being once aboord, he would returne againe into the Fléete, and so take them for captiues. They did stand so much vpon the same, that Aries Correa was faine to tell them, that without a­ny suspition they might enter into the shippe, forsomuch as the Captaine generall was not come thether for to deceiue the King, but onely for to get his good will, with this they were contented, to goe aboorde, yet it was with some feare, that he would take them captiues. In the meane while that we were about this the Captaine generall landed, where there was tarrieng for him sundry Caymales and Pymaca­les, and other principall Nayres, being accompanied with many others. And before that the Captaine generall coulde set his féete on the grounde, he was taken vp, and put in an Andor or chaire, in the which he was carried to the Se­rame, accompanied with the multitude aboue saide. Being come to this place, he entered into a certaine house where the King was, whome he founde in this order. The house was hanged ouer with Carpets, or as they call them Alcatifas, at the ende whereof, there was a certaine place where the King was sitting,The king of Caly­cuts state & furni­ture. made much lyke vnto a lyttle Chappell, and ouer the Kings head did hang the cloth of E­state, of vnshorne Crimson veluet, and vnder him and about him, were twentie cushions of silke. The King himselfe was all naked, sauing that about his middle he had a cloth [Page] made of Cotten, which was white as snowe, and wrought ouer with golde. On his head he had a night cap of cloath of golde, which was made of the fashion of an head péece or skull. On his eares he had hanging certaine Iewelles, of Diamonds, Saphyres and Pearles, of the which ther was two bigger then Walnuts. On his armes from the elbow to the hande he had sundrye Bracelettes of Golde, in the which there were precious Sones, and that without number, and of a wonderfull valewe. Moreouer on his legs from the knées downward, and on the fingers of his handes, and the toes of his feete, and especially on his great toe, there was a ring, in the which there was a Rubie so great and fine, that it gaue such a light as was wonderfull: amongst al which stones, ther was a Diamond bigger then a great Beane. But all this was nothing in comparison of his girdell, which was made of Golde and Stone that the same was aboue all price, and out of it there came such a resplendour or brightnes, that it blinded mens eyes to looke vpon it.

There stoode harde by him a Chaire of Estate of golde and siluer, wrought in the best manner, full of precious stone, and of the selfe same sort was the Andor in the which he was brought from his Pallaice, which also stood there, Also there were twentie Trumpets, whereof seauentéene were of siluer, and the other thrée of golde, the mouthes whereof, were finely wrought and set with stone. Also ther was a Bason of golde in the which he did spit, and certaine perfuming pans of siluer, out of the which, ther came an ex­cellent smell. And for estate sake ther wer lightned certain Lampes of Oyle, which were after the Moores order, the which were also made of siluer. Sixe paces from the King, stood his two brethren, which were heires vnto the Kingdome after him, and some­what further off stood many Noble men, they all standing vp­right vppon theyr féete.

¶Of the meeting of the Captaine generall, and the King of Calycut and how there was deliuered vnto him the Kings present which he brought, and afterward what hapned. Chap. 23.

THe Captaine generall béeing entered into this place, and viewing the Kings estate, wold haue gone to kisse the Kings handes, as it is commonly vsed amongst vs: but for that he was enformed by those that stoode by, that it was not the vse and custome a­mongst them, he did it not. Howbeit ther was a Chaire ap­pointed him that was hard by the Princes seate, in y^• which the Captaine generall did sit, that from thence he might de­clare his minde to the King, which was the greatest honor that he could giue him.The Cap­taine generall deliuereth his letters of credite to the king of Calicut Being set downe, he deliuered his letter of credite, which he brought from the King of Por­tingale, written in the Arabian tongue which béeing read by the King, y^e Captaine generall also told his message, the effect wherof was this, That y^e King of Portingale was de­sirous of his friendship, & to settle a Factorie in Calycut, in the which there shoulde be sufficient of all kinde of Mer­chandize that should be spent there, & in trucke of the same, or for ready mony, he requested that he would let him haue sufficient lading of spices for those ships there. The King shewed himselfe to be content with this Embassage, & aun­swered the Captaine generall that he wold yéeld the King of Portingale out of his Citie, all that he shoulde haue néede of.The pre­sēt vvhich y^e generall brought with him▪ While they two were in this talke, came thether the present which the Captaine generall had brought, in the which wer these péeces, a Bason of siluer and gylt wrought, a fountaine to the same, a Cuppe with his couer gylt, of the same worke, two Masses of siluer, foure Cushions, two of them of cloath of golde, and other two of Crimson Veluet vnshorne, a Cloath of Estate of Golde, being welted and garded with the selfe same Golde, and of [Page] Crimson veluet a verye fine Carpet, two clothes of Arras, the which were very rich, the one with figures, and the other with gréene workes. Of this present, and of the Embassage which the Captaine generall had done vnto him, as it appe­red, the King was very glad, and tolde the Captaine gene­rall that he might goe to his lodging to rest himselfe, or els to his ships as he would himselfe, for that he thought ne­cessary to send for his Pledges, which are Gentlemen and daintely brought vp, and could not awaye with the Sea, to tarry there longer. And whilest they were ther, he was as­sured, that they would neither eate nor drinke for such was their custome. And if fo be that the Captaine generall wold goe to his ships, and come the next day againe, to make full agréement and consent about the order of the trade in Ca­licut, he would then send those Pledges againe. The Cap­taine generall hauing good confidence in those his wordes, went to his ships, leauing behinde him with his stuffe, A­lonso Hurtado with other seauen. And being at the water side ready to departe, a seruaunt of one of those Pleadges, went before aboord in a small Pinnace, and tolde them that the Captaine generall did retourne aboorde, this messenger was sent by the commaundement of the Clearke and Con­troller of the Kings house, as who shoulde saye, to giue them counsayle to come their waye, which they did, as soone as they heard what the slaue had tolde them in their language, and with that they leapt into the Sea, thinking to take that Pinace in the which the slaue went. As soone as Aries Correa saw this, he leapt into his owne boate, which was harde by the ships side with certaine of his Marriners and rowing with force tooke two of the Pledges, and also thrée or foure of those that wore in the Pinace, the other fled and carried the Catuall with them, which was also one of the Pledges. This being concluded, the Captaine gene­rall came aboord, who after that he had knowen what had passed, because that those Pledges the which he had in his custodie, should not returne and [...] their waye, he com­maunded them to be put vnder the hatches of his ship, and [Page 81] afterward sent to complain to the King of that which they had done, laieng all the fault vpon the Clarke Controller. Also he sent worde after what sort they remained in his ship, promising, that if so be y^t he wold send him his stuffe, & such of his men as remained a land, he would immediatly sende those Pleadges which he had: and for that it was night, there was no more at that time done. The next daye following, the King came to the water side, accompanyed [...] xii. thousand men, and sent with the Captaine Gene­ral [...] stuffe and men, to the number of thirtie Almadias, for that they might returne with those Pledges that did re­maine aboord, howbeit for all that they were so many, yet there durst none of them come néere the ships, for the feare they stoode in of our men, which remained in the Fléete, least they wold take them, and so they returned with the same a­gaine to land. The Captaine Generall séeing the feare that they stood in of his Fléete, sent the next daye in certaine of his owne boates those Pledges that he had in custodie, com­maunding that they should goe and sée them deliuered som­what aloofe of from the fléet, that brought him his men and stuffe. And while they were deliuering the same, Araxame­noca which was the eldest of the Pledges, leaped into the water vppon a sodaine, with intent to runne away, but for all that he could not escape, forsomuch as our men caught handefast of him. The other that remained, whilest our men were thus busied fled lykewise. The lyke did Alonfo Hurtado practise with fiue of those that wer with him. The Captaine generall meruailed to see how little honestie or truth they vsed, did therefore commaund Araxameno [...]a to be well looked vnto. And being thrée dayes past, and yet the King not sending for him, he had pittie to see him that in so many dayes he had eaten nothing,Humai [...] pity in [...] Captaine generall tovvard faithlesse Infidells▪ and thervpon he sent him to the King, also he sent sundry weapons which were taken of his mens, and requested him to send the other two of his men that were yet a land, which the King did sende, béeing moued therevnto, more for shame then otherwise, for that he had broken his word & promise. Now being thrée dayes [Page] past, and there came no kinde of aunswere vnto the Cap­taine generall, thereby he had sufficient tryall or vnderstan­ding how variable he was, and therefore he woulde tarrye no longer for his aunswere, but sent vnto him to knowe whether he wold make an end of the agréement y^t was be­gun betwéene them, and for the conclusion of the same hée would sende Aries Correa which came with him for Fac­tor. Howbeit for the better assuraunce therof, he willed him to send him certaine Pledges. This message was sent [...] King by a certaine Gentleman called Francisco Correa, which did offer himself to carry the same, when all the rest of the Fléete was afeard, least that the King woulde take him prisoner, or command him to be slaine. To this message y^e king made answere y^t he was well pleased to agrée to haue the Trade setled, and that he shoulde sende vnto him Aries Correa about the same or whom els he should thinke good. But first of all he tolde him that he woulde sende two Ne­phewes of one Gosarate, The pledges sent aboord. which is a great rich Merchaunt, for pledges, which indéed was so done. After that those pled­ges were entred, immediately departed toward the land A­ries Correa, to whom the King commaunded to be giuen a faire house to lye and rest himselfe and to lay his Merchan­dize in, which he brought with him, which house belonged to Gosarate, who was Grandfather to those two Pledges, that the king had sent. But he commanded that forasmuch as A­ries Correa, was yet not well knowen in the Countrey nor acquainted with their orders & prices how he might sel his Merchandize, nor yet what the buyer shuld giue, to instruct him therein. But he did not so, but rather cleane contrarye, forasmuch as he was a friend to y^e Moores of Meca, which were great enimies vnto our men, not onelye for that they were Christians, but for feare least that for our cause they shuld loose part of ther credit which they had in Calicut, by meanes wherof they tooke their Merchandize for what price so euer they would themselues. And also for the feare they conceiued of them many times, the Gentiles durst not come out of their dores.

[Page 82] They knew also that hauing our Factory setteled there, they should be great loosers, not onely in their Merchandize, which would be in valew lesse worth, as also in their [...] ­ces, Drugs & precious stones, which would be more worth & better estéemed. And that was the cause that alwaies. Aries Correa was ouerthwarted in all things y^t he went about to buy, with offring more then he did for the same, after y^t the price was by any of ours made, then euer they did before, so y^t by this meanes alwayes he was forced to pay the dee­rer for his drugs & spices. And if so be that at any time he would speake with y^e King, they did trauell all y^t they could, that some of them might be alwayes present to withstand & speak against him in all things. They did not this onely thē ­selues, but found meanes also by Sam [...]cide, which was Ad­mirall of the Sea of Calicut, & a naturall Moore, y^t he should not consent y^t those y^t remained in y^e Factory w^t Aries Correa shuld go aboord y^e Fléete, & moreouer if any ship would pre­sume to come néere to y^t shore, not to cōsent y^t it shuld return, saieng,The Cap­taine ge­nerall had good came to feare and hate the Moores y^t the King had giuen such cōmandement The Cap­taine generall being aduertised of all this, & supposing the same to be of a suspition of treason, commanded to wey and bring himselfe vnder saile to goe out of that harbour, and there to enter into councell with his Captaines what were best for him to do, for that he was afeard lest whilest y^t hée remained in that harbour he might be set vpon by y^e king of Calicuts Fléete, & so be troubled. The King after y^r the knew what the Captaine generall had done, & that he minded to go his way, demaunded of Aries Correa the cause why he went out of his harbour, who aunswered him that he did not know certainely, wherfore without it were for the iniuries which the Moores had done vnto him, & so told him y^e whole order, for that he knew the same. The King vpon this wil­led him to send againe for the Captaine generall, who im­mediately after that he knew, what the king had said, retur­ned, & the King forthwith commanded that the Moores shuld not from thenceforth vse anye such villany. He also tooke a­waye the Gosarate from the companye of Aries Correa, [Page] vnto whom he gaue charge to instruct him in the order of the Countrey, and did put in his place another which was a very honest man, and a friend of ours, (although he were a Moore) whose name was Cosebequin. This man was also in Calicut of good credite, and the head of all the Moores of the Countrey, that were naturally borne there, which were alwayes in controuersie with the Moores of the Cayro, and of the Straights of Meca, of the which the Admirall was head. Also the King gaue commaundement, that to the end our Merchaunts which were in the Factorie might sell the better, and also buye theyr Spices at the better hande, and with quietnesse, they should remooue theyr Factorie to a house of Cosebequin, A free house for the facto­ry giuē to the king of Portin­gale by deede the which stoode harde by the water side. And of this house, a gifte was giuen to the King of Protingale for euer by writing, the Copie whereof, forso­much as the Captaine generall should carry it with him, was inclosed in a Tablet of golde, to the which the King did set to his firme and seale, also the Kings pleasure was, that vpon the top of the house there should be set a flagge, with the royall armes of Portingale, that all men might knowe, that the same was his. Which after that the Captaine ge­neral had knowledge of, he sent vnto the King great thanks for the same, and from that time forwarde they had indiffe­rent good sales by the helpe of Cosebequm, who did aide them therein. As soone as those of the Countrey had vnder­standing that our Factorye was by the King so fauoured, they lykewise did the lyke. Afterward our men might goe wheresoeuer they would without any molestation, and as sure as they might in Lishborne. So the friendshippe be­twéene them and our men, was afterward very good.

¶How at the request of the King of Calycut, the Captaine Generall sent to take a shippe of the Moores, and also after what sort the same was ta­ken. Cap. 24.

[Page 83] WHilest this friendship continued betwéene our men and the Citie, and they béeing in so great a friendship and concord one with a­nother, on the next saterday following there did appeare to those of Calycut, a greate ship of the Moores, which was far off, going from Coching toward Cambaya. And as soone as y^e same was discryed, the king sent worde to the Captaine Gene­rall, requesting him that for his sake he would send to take the same ship, for ouer and besides that, there were in the same certeine Elephantes, yet was there one which excée­ded them all, the which he woulde haue bought. And al­though he had offred for him more then he was worth, yet he would not sell him. Albeit the owner was a dweller in Coching, and therefore he most earnestly requested him to send to take the sayd shippe, forsomuch as it did so highlye touch his honour and credit: vnto his request, the Captaine Generall made aunswere that he would doe it with a good will, although that he was informed that the sayd shippe was great, and that there were within it very many men both Marriners and souldiers, and that the same could not bée taken without some losse of men, and therefore it was requisite that he consented that his men might kill those y^• were in the ship, wherevnto the king agréed. This béeing concluded, the Captaine Generall commaunded that Pedro de Tayde with his Caruell, shoulde goe take the foresayd ship, and that there should goe with him a young Gentle­man called Edwarte Pacheco, which was thought to bée a valiant souldier, and with these there was a 60. men. The king also sent certeine Moores in the Caruel, that they also might view the order of their fighting. The Caruell béeing vnder saile gaue chace vnto the shippe till it was night, which being come, they lost sight of the same, and go­ing a long the coast all the quarter of the Moone, they sawe where he was riding at Ankor, and then Edwarto Pache­co commaunded to beare with him, and found those Moores [Page] with their weapons in a readinesse to defend themselues withall, howbeit as they were hoising vp theyr Sayles, they easily iudged the same to be of 600. tun,This ship for one in those coasts ve­ry vvel appointed. and that with­in it there were 300. fighting men, the most parte whereof were bowe men, Edwarto Pacheco woulde not laye the same a boorde, for that he was commaunded to the contra­rie, but to sinke him if it were possible. And hauing brought him vnder his lye, he commaunded to amaine. The Moores making as it were a mocke of the same, gaue a lowd crye and plaide vppon their Instruments, and after this they shotte off certeine Ordinaunce which they had, and manye arrowes, making therewith a shew of readinesse that they were in. They were answered by our men with shot, of the which there chaunced a Pellette to strike harde vnder the bossome of the shippe betwéene winde and water, where there was made a hole by the which there entered a great quantitye of water. After this they shotte againe, with the which there were many of them slaine & hurt, & the other trembled with the feare they had of our Ordinaunce, with this they bare toward the baye of Canonor, the which was harde by, where there were riding at an Ankor foure ships of the Moores, amongest them hée came to an Ankor. Now béeing within the sayd Baye, arriued also with the Car­uell Edwarto Pacheco, who commaunded his Ordinaunce to be shotte at them, and with the same had taken them all, if so be that there had not come certeine Paraos of the Moores to succour them, the which were in the porte, and as they were fighting the night came on, which was the cause that al those Paraos were not by him destroied. In al these encounters there was no more then nine hurt of our men, which was done by their arrowes.

Night béeing come, Edwarto Pacheco brought him­selfe forth of the Baye and came to Ankor harde by an Ilande, for that hée was there more surer then in the Bay, whereas they might haue sette his shippe on fire. And al­though that it were contrarye to his commission, yet for all that hée retourned in the morning, and ioyned himselfe [Page 84] with his enimyes, who as soone as it was daye, woulde haue ranne theyr waye, and as they beganne to make sayle, hée entered vppon them in the Baye, shooting of his Ordinaunce, with the which hée strake the saide Shippe,The Moores yeelded vnto our men. and by this meanes they yéelded, with this those of Cananor that were standing at the water side, were verye sore agréeued and woulde haue come to succour them, who after that Edwarto Pacheco beganne to dispend his Ordinaunce amongest them; ranne lykewise theyr wayes.

This béeing done, hée went towarde Calycut, to the which harbour hée arriued the next daye, where the King came to the water side to sée the shippe, for that they tooke the same for a miracle, and gaue our men great praises. The Captaine Generall commaunded the shippe to bée de­liuered vnto the king with seauen Elephaunts that were within the same, which were worth in Calycut thirtye thousand crownes, ouer and besides this, there was found in it great store of merchaundise, besides those men whom hée tooke captiues. Also hée sent the king word that hée née­ded not to meruaile that so small a Caruell as that was could take such a great shippe, for that in matters of grea­ter waight he woulde be at his commaundement, for the which hée sent him great thanks, and praied him to sende vnto him those men that had done so notable an act, whom he did receiue very well, and with great honour, and gaue them great gifts, in especiall to Edwarto Pacheco. Some affirme that after that the king had séene this fa­mous act that our men had done being so few, he had them from thence forth in some feare, & was desirous to sée them dispatched out of his countrie, & therefore did consent vnto that treason, of the which I will speake of héereafter.

Of the Oration which the Moores made to the king, concerning the enterteining of our men, and what aunswere there was made, & also pollicie vsed a­gainst them. Chap. 25.

[Page] WIth the taking of this ship the Moores of Ca­licut were greatly afrighted in minde, and sore offended with y^• king for that he made so great account of our men, which as they thought was done to reuenge their iniuryes, and for the hatred or enuye they had conceiued against vs, though in­déede the king made more account of our men then he did of them. By this meanes as they thought, it was no other but to prouoke them to leaue his Countrie, in especiall for as much as our men brought them such great store of Mer­chandise, and as much as they did, and brought as great store of spices as they did: Therefore they determined to make vnto the king an Oration concerning the same mat­ter. And being ioyned together spake in the name of them all, one on this sort.

EMparather of all the Malabars, The Moores Oration against our men. nothing lesse migh­tie then the mightiest king of the Indias, & most feare­full amongest those that are feared of all the Princes of the same. We cannot but meruaile much that thou ha­uing these two qualyties, wouldest imbase thy selfe to receiue into thy Countrie these y^• are enimyes to thy law, & straungers to the customes of thy kingdome, & last of al, doe rather appeare to be rouers then merchants. If thou doest receiue them for want of such as shoulde bring vnto the Citie those kindes of merchaundise that they do bring, or else carrie away those kinde of Spices that they are de­sirous of, we would then allowe thereof. But there are too many that doth the same, and men that thou hast knowne of a long time, and by the long continuance of them art ac­quainted with their fidelitie, which haue encreased so much thy rents, that therof we are a good witnesse. But thou ha­uing forgotten all this, wouldest receiue those whom thou diddest not knowe, and doest fauour them so much, that a­mongest so many, and such a multitude of good subiectes as thou hast, wouldest make choice of them, that they shoulde reuenge thy iniuries, as though thine owne subiects were not sufficient men to doe the same. By which déede thou [Page 85] doest abase thy power so much, that we for very shame, & for that we are bound of duetie to bring it into thy memo­rie. For if so be y^t thou well consider what it is to make thē reuengers of thy iniuries, & giue them in respect thereof so great honour, it is as it were to shewe them plainly a certeine kinde of weaknesse which indéed is not in thy sub­iects, but rather doest bolden them to make small account of thée, & so afterward to do that which we doe well know they will do, which is to rob from all merchants that com­meth towards thy ports, to destroy thy country, & at length to take the Citie, which is the end of their comming into these parts, & not to looke for spices, and this is most true, that from their countrie vnto this is almost fiue thousand leagues by sea, with returnes and stormes that the same voyage hath, ouer and besides the great daunger of the voi­age, & the charges of the making of their great shippes, and furnishing the same with ordinance, besides the strengthe­ning of them with men, much more all this béeing wel no­ted, it is plaine that for all their greate gaines which they might haue by their spices in Portingale, their losses would be greater,Proues that vvee vvere ra­ther pirats then mer­chants. in comming so far for them, which is a manifest proofe that they are rather pirats then merchants, which come into the country to rob and take thy citie, as they will do, if so be they do place themselues once within the same. And when they shal possesse the same house which thou diddest giue them for a factorie, they will make there a fort, from whence they will make thée wars, when thou shalt thinke least of it, which thing will come to passe, and now the rather, since that thou doest commaunde the same to be made by thy subiectes. But this as we saie wee doe bring to thy memorie more for the good will which we doe owe to thee, then for any profit we doe looke for. And if it fortune that thou wilt not remember vs, there are other cities in Malabar where we maye make our habitation, whether for our sakes will be brought all store of spices. Ouer and besides all this, the loyaltie which we doe owe vnto thée doth make vs to feare more the losse of thy estate, [Page] then to [...] for our owne profit.

As soone as the Moore had made an end of his Oration, the king did gratifie them all very much, and tolde them that he woulde haue a speciall care of all that which they had remembred him of, and how in the selfe same sorte hée supposed y^• matter indeed wold come to passe.why he re­quested our men to take the ship of Meca. The occasion that the king tooke to request the Generall to send to take that ship▪ was to see the experience of their valiant minds, & also why he did consent to y^e lading of their ships, was to the end there might remaine in the countrie their monye which they brought to buie merchaundise withall, accor­ding as he did to such merchants as come into his port. Also at the last he did promise that he woulde not forsake them for any straunger. Yet for all this, the Moores did not remaine fully satisfied, because the king did not command vs to depart out of the citie of Calycut, and not suffer our men to trade ther any longer, for that was the principallest thing that they did pretende. Howbeit they woulde not let but entermeddle in all our matters, especiall in the bui­eng of our Spices, which they did openly buye, and sent them secretly vnto other places. This was done with a determinatiō, for y^t they could not away with our men, but wold resist them, our men béeing thus resisted might then haue occasion the better to defend themselues, & so by this meanes they would reuenge their quarrels openly by figh­ting with our men. This they had great desire to do, think­ing to destroy our men openly, for that they were manye more in number then ours were, they hoped that when this matter was once begun, that then the king wold take their parts. Also they wrought by all meanes possible to haue the common sorte of people on their side, inciting them against our men, with matters which they made them beléeue that our men had done against them.

How the Moores that dwelled in Calycut by meanes of the Factor & countenance they had at the kings hand, did set vpon the Factorye, where was slaine in defence there of the Factor with other of his company. Cap. 36.

BY meanes of this subtile dealing of the Moores, there past thrée moneths before the Factor could get any spices more then hée had, to lade two ships withall: which was a great griefe to the Captaine Generall, forsomuch as thereby he perceiued verye well that the friendship of the king was not steadfast, but that he was a lyar, and a man that vsed no truth at all. And if so be that he had not tarried there so long time as he did, fearing that in no other porte hée should finde suffi­cient lading for his shippes, he would haue fallen out with him, and so haue gone to some other place. But forasmuch as he hadde bene there at so greate charges, he dissimuled therewith onely to sée whether with his good will he might lade there or no. The Captaine Generall séeing that all thinges were but delayes, sent vnto the king, requesting him to remember those promises he hadde made vnto the Factour, that within twentye dayes he woulde de­liuer sufficient lading for the whole Fléete, and that nowe there were thrée moneths past, and yet there was no more laden then two shippes.The king accused plainly of doblenes. The occasion whereof he did not knowe, and therefore he was the willinger to suffer the same, and that with great patience, hoping alwayes that he wold giue order for the lading of the rest of the Fléet. But now he sawe howe all things went, and knew that it was impossible to make an ende thereof.

For although he had promised that his Fléete should be the first that should be laden before any other straungers, [Page] and that he was enformed for most certeine, y^t the Moores had bought for a lesse price great store of Spices, and sent the same to other places, whether they would, he therefore requested him yet to haue him in his remembrance, y^t now it was time for him to depart towards Portingale, desiring him to dispa [...]h him as he hadde promised. The King as soone as he had heard what the messenger sayd, did shewe as in an outward appearance greatly meruailing that our ships remained yet vnladen, and aunswered that hée was very [...] therefore, and that he could not beléeue that the Moores contrarie to his commaundement had bought spi­ces vnder a coulour, and sent the same a boorde some other ship whether it pleased them, he hauing giuen commaun­dement to the contrarie, namely, that the Moores should not buie any spices in hugger [...]gger. Affirming that if it bée so they had so deceiued him, he woulde punish them there­fore. Vpon this immediatly he gaue commaundement to take those shippes that were laden with Spices, with con­dition that they shoulde pay for the same the price that the Moores had bought at.Nothing more ac­ceptable to the Mores thē to quarell & fall out vvith our men, The newes was brought forthwith vnto the Moores, and as there was nothing more accepta­ble vnto them, then to haue occasion to fall out with our men, so therefore did one of the principall Moores beginne to lade his shippe first, and that openlye with all sortes of Spices and Drugges. And for that cholar might the more increase in our men, to take those spices, hée found meanes that certeine Moores which the Factor tooke to bée his ve­rye friends, and also certeine Gentiles, shoulde make him beléeue that if so be that hée did not send to take that ship, that was a lading, that then he could not haue lading suf­ficent for the Fléete.

The Factor gaue credit vnto this report, and therevpon sent worde to the Captaine Generall, what the Moores and Gentiles had tolde him, and that he thought their sayeng to be true. And therefore since the king of Calicut had giuen him license to take all such Spices as the Moores had la­den, hée might the better nowe take that Shippe. [Page 87] Howbeit the Captaine general was loath to deale therwith for all the Kings license, for he knew him to be an incon­stant man, and waying also the great credit, that the Mores were in with him, he was afeard least that after they had taken the said shippe, the Moores through the Kings fauour would rise against them. And this was the aunswere that was sent to the Factor: yet for all that he did require him once more to take that ship, saieng, that if he did not, that then the King shuld be in hazarde to loose such Merchandize as he had ther: neuerthelesse the Captaine general wold not meddle therewith, and yéelding for that his determination sufficient reason to the contrary. But the Factor on y^e other part ceased not to make vnto him sundry requests, and pro­testations, that he should paye all such losses and damages, as should hap vpon the King of Portingales Merchaundize, by his defaults, for that he woulde not deale with the sayde ship. Thus since he saw there was no other remedie, he cō ­sented therevnto, although it were against his will: & ther­fore the xvi. day of December, the Captaine generall sent word to those that were aboord y^e ship, that was thus laden by the Moores, by the order which was sent him from the King of Calicut, to commaund them to depart, and for as­much as they made but little reckoning thereof he sent the next daye all his boates to bring hir within the harbour. After that this report came to the owner of the ships know­ledge, they made the Moores priuie héereof, whereof they were very glad, for that by this meanes there was offered vnto them occasion to fall out with our men. Héerevppon, they began in a furious outrage,The Moores moued a tumult a­gainst our men. running out of their dores like madde men, complaining vpon vs and our people, by meanes whereof, they were tumulteously moued, and fra­med great outcryes and larums, and alwayes against our men. And after that they had thus done, they ranne to the King, with whom went the owner of the ship, complaining also vpon our men for the detaining of his ship, saieng that our men had bought and laden much more spices & drugs, then that the Merchaundize came vnto which they hadde [Page] brought with them, howbeit their pride was such, that they were content with nothing; but as Théeues and Pirates would haue all. At this instant came the Moores, which did before helpe him very much, declaring many things against our men, & how much the King was in fault, for suffering them within this Citie, requesting him most earnestlye to giue them license to reuenge their losse, which they had re­ceiued. The King as he was inconstant and without anye fidelitie, did graunt them the same. As soone as the Moores had obtained their request,The sa­uage fircenes of the Moores against our men. they came their waye from the King, and tooke their weapons, and with a sauage fiercenes, lyke wilde beasts, ranne into the Citie in flockes towarde the Factorie, which was compassed about like a Castle, with the wall of the height of a man on horsebacke, in the which were lxx. Portingales amongst whom was Fryer Henrick with his cōpany of Friers. Ther wer amongst our men no more weapons then 8. Crossebowes, all y^e rest had nothing but swords & clokes, as soone as they knew of y^e enimies cō ­ming, they ran to the gates of the Factory, & when y^e they saw they were so few, they iudged them to be some quarel­lers that came thether for the same purpose, & therefore wer minded to defend their gates, with their cloakes & rapie [...]s only: but afterward their power increased so much vpō our men, that by reason of their arrowes and speares, they could not indure ther any longer: then y^• Factor commanded their gates to be shut vp, supposing that from the wal they wold driue their enimies from thence, & at the very shutting vp of the gates, there were seuen of the enimies slaine, y^e which gates could not be shut without great daunger, alwayes fighting valiantly. In this conflict, ther wer of our men ma­ny hurt, & foure slaine: howbeit as well those y^e wer hurt as those y^• wer in health, went vp vpon y^e wal of y^e Factory, for to defend their enimies from thence with their crossebowes. Howbeit the multitude of them at that present was so great that they made shewe as if they had bene in number foure thousande. There came also to aide them sundrye Nayres, which all of them together, began to set vpon those that wer [Page 88] in the Factorie, hoping thereby to enter. Aries Correa sée­ing y^e it was impossible for him to defend it any lōger with­out some aide from the ships, and for to giue them to vn­derstand of their troubles, there was displaide a flagge in the top of the Factorie: and as soone as the same was dis­cryed by the Captaine generall, he suspected it in himselfe to be that which indéede it was, for the which sodaine chance he was very sorrowfull, for that as then he was but newly let bloud,Succour sent by y^e Generall Captaine to the Factorie. and sicke in his bed, and therefore he could not go himselfe to succour them: howbeit he sent Sancho de Toar, to supply his roome, with all the Fléetes boats, which went with such men as they had, but to resist such a number as there was of their enimies, they were very few, which San­cho de Toar perceiuing, durst not disimbarke himselfe, nei­ther yet come too néere the shore least that the enimies shuld come in their Almadias and Tonys, and so take them, also that they could not hurt them, they laye so farre off from the shore: but they from thence could discerne how valyant­ly our men did defende themselues and there entring, al­though the number of their enimies did alwayes increase, for so it was néedful for y^e great flaughter, y^t our men made of thē, from ouer y^e wall. Notwithstanding by meanes ther­of their fury did so increase, y^t they caused to be brought cer­tain [...] to ouerthrow part of y^e wall w^tall, which were so great, that our men could not by any meanes defend the same, being so few and so many hurt, with the enimies ar­rowes and speares, which came from them as thicke, as though it had rained arrowes. But perceiuing once the eni­mie began to enter, they would not tarrie there any longer, but went forth of the Factorye, by a dore that opened to­ward the water side, where they made reckoning to saue themselues with their boats. But y^e enimies followed them alwaies so narrowly, hurting and killing them, that in this conflict Aries Correa was slaine, so that there were lacking fiftie of our men, betwéene those that were dead and taken captiues, twentie onely escaped, which tooke the water, but those were sore hurt, amongst whome was a Frayer called [Page] Fryer Henricke, and a son of the said Aries Correa, which was but eleuen yeares of age, who is yet aliue and is called Antonio Correa, and since that time hath done in the In­dias, and in other places notable acts of Armes, as in the fourth booke I shall declare. Those that did escape, wer ta­ken into our boates, and carried to the Fléete.

¶How the Captaine generall slewe the most parte of those Moores that were aboorde the ten great ships, and then commanded them to be set a fire, & also of the great destruction which he brought vpon the citie in reuenge of the death of those that were slaine therein. Cap. 37.

AFter that these newes were brought to the Captaine generall, he was not onely very sorrowfull for the death of those that were slaine, but also to sée how little pre­uailed the present which he gaue vnto the King of Calicut, as also the taking of the ship, in the which was the Elephant, & now thrée moneths were past that he had bene there, and yet had laden no more then two ships, nor yet could tell when to lade the rest, fea­ring also least in Coching he shoulde not be well accepted, for taking of the ship in the which was the Elephant. And further waying with himselfe, how little or none occasion at all there was giuen to vse such treason against our men, he did therefore determine to reuenge himselfe vpon y^e King of Calycut, if so be that he did not vse some excuse for that which was past, wherevnto if he would willingly yéelde, then would he be content,The king of Calicut vvas farre off from making a mendes. so that he might ther haue his la­ding. But the King of Calycut was farre off from the mat­ter, for he was very glad of that which y^e Moores had done, and commaunded all such Merchaundize to be taken, as were within the Factorie, the which wer well worth foure [Page 89] thousand duckets, & also take all such of ours as wer found aliue for captiues, although they were hurt, of the which there were foure that died. After all this, the Captaine gene­rall séeing that in all that daye the King of Calicut sent no messenger to excuse himselfe of the fact, he put the matter in question, wheras it was determined that he forthwith shuld reuenge those iniuries that were past, for feare least­if he should delay so to doe, that then the King might haue time to arme his Fléete, which would not then be so easelye done. This being determined our men put themselues in a readinesse, to lay aboord x. great ships, which lay in y^• harbor full of Moores: these at the first would haue defended them­selues,Iust re­uenge vvrought vpon the iniurious Calicuttās yet for all y^t our men did ioyne with them, & fought with them so valyantly, that they brake their order, killing many of them, and of those that remained some leaped into the water and were drowned, others hid themselues in their ships, and other were taken aliue, whom the Captaine ge­nerall commaunded to prison, that they might afterwarde serue for Mariners in the Fléet. The ships being thus come into our mens possession, they found within the same some Spices and other Merchaundize which were hidden within them: also they found thrée Elephants, which the Captaine generall commaunded to be killed and salted for their victu­alls, he commaunded also those Moores that were slaine to be told, and there was found of them 600. The ships being discharged of all that they had, they wer set a fire before all the Citie, in the sight of many that came to the water side to succor them, whom being Moores, as they were comming in their Almadias, our men encountered and fought with them, but they durst not goe forward for feare of the ordi­naunce. This was a wonder to those of the Citie, to sée ten ships burnt together. The King also was sory therefore for that he could not send to succour them. But if that which was done this day was a wonder to the enimies to behold, then y^e next day was much more to be meruailed at, for the Captaine generall not being contented with the burning of these ships commaunded his ships in the night to be brought [Page] as néere the shore as he could, the one somewhat separated from the other. They had also their boats before them, that they might reach the most part of the Citie. As soone as the morning began to appeare, immediately all the great Ordi­naunce went off amongst their houses, which after that the enimies had séene, and how néere our ships lay to the shore, they began to shoote at thē with smal péeces which they had without hurting any of our men, howbeit of our ordinance, for that the enimies came running in flockes, there was no péece that mist, and by that meanes there were manye that fell, and the others that drew towards the Citie, where our ordinaunce also had made a great destruction, as well in the Temples of their Gods, as in their dwelling houses. The feare was so great amongst the Citizens,The feare that the King of Calicut and the citizens were in. that the King of Calycut himselfe was driuen to leaue his Pallaice, and to goe out of the Citie, for that our men went thether to séeke him out with their pellets, so that hard at his héeles they kil­led a Nayre, which was a noble man, and ouerthrewe part of the Kings Pallaice. This destruction dured no more but this daye: and whilest it was a doing, there appeared two ships y^t wer comming to the harbor, which as soone as they had discried vs, went their way, & therefore this fight ceased. The Captain generall made after thē w^t al his fléet to Pan­derane, which is a Port not far off, where there was other seuen néere to the land ready to succour them, in which there came a multitude of Moores to defend them, and for that our ships could not come néere vnto the shore, they lefte them. And the Captaine generall contenting himselfe with that which he had done in Calycut, for that it was verye late to make his voyage toward Portingal, went toward Coching, & ther concluded a peace, to sée whether he might lade ther, for y^t he well knew it, that ther was more Pepper then in Calicut.

¶How the Captaine generall arriued at the harbour adioyning to the citie of Coching, & ther he con­cluded a peace betweene him & the King, & af­terward began to lade his ships. Cap. 37.

[Page 60] GOing vnder saile along by this citie, y^e Cap­taine generall tooke two ships of y^• Moores, which after that they had discried our ships, bare as néere the shore as they coulde, for feare of our ships, but our men tooke them and when they were discharged of certayne Rice which they carried, the Generall caused them to be set a fire, and so following his course he ariued at Coching the xx. of December, which standeth in the Prouince of Mala­bar, xix. leagues from that parte of Calycut, going into the South,Coching standeth in 9. de­grees, and the scitu­atiō ther­of. and being in ix. degrées toward the North. The sci­tuation therof is along the riuer, in the which the Sea doth enter, by meanes whereof the Citie standeth as it were in an Ilande and that verye strong, for that there is no comming to it, but by certaine wayes. It hath belon­ging vnto it, a goodly great and a sure Port, which lyeth be­fore the mouth of this riuer. The land round about is wa­try and low, and made into Ilands: they haue smal store of victuals, but for all that those which they haue is very fresh. This Citie is buylded much after the manner of Calycut, and is inhabited by Gentiles and sundry Moores strangers, which are come thether from manye places, and are great Merchaunts, amongst whom there are two that haue fiftie shippes a péece.

In this Countrey is great store of Pepper, and the most parte that they haue in Calycut commeth from thence. But forasmuch as in Calycut there are more store of Mer­chaunts which come from other places, therefore the same is richer then Coching. The King is a Gentile, and is of the behauiour and propertie of the King of Calycut: howbeit he is verye poore, by reason his Countrey is but small, neither can he commaund any money to be coined in his Citie.

The Kings of Coching are in great subiection to the Kings of Calicut, for as often as ther chanceth a new king to [Page] succéede in Calycut, he immediately goeth to Coching, and dispossesseth him that hath the same, of the whole kingdome and taketh possession himselfe therof, so that by this meanes it lyeth in his hands, whether he will restore that King to the crowne againe or not. Also the King of Coching is bound to aide and accompany the King of Calycut in bat­taile against any other King, also he is bounde to dye in the religion of the King of Calicut. The Captaine generall, be­ing come to this harbour, did there let fall his Ankor, for that he was afearde to send Gaspar with a message to the king, least he would runne awaye, he choosed rather to send one whose name was Michael Iogue, which although hée were a Gentile & a straunger, yet he came vnto our Fléete, with intent to turne Christian, saieng that he would goe for Portingale: wherevpon the Captaine generall tooke occasi­on to baptize him,A Moore baptised & called Michael. and gaue him the name of Michael, & for his surname as he was called before. By this man he sent to y^e king of Coching his message, certifieng him of all that they had past in Calicut, & also y^• the Captain generall had brought w^t him great store of Merchandize to giue in trucke for such commodities as there were in Coching, with the which if so be that the King wer not contented, that then he would buy the same for ready mony, wherof he had brought with him great store, and therefore his request was that in trucke of his merchandize, or for his ready money he would giue him lading for foure ships. The answere that the king made to this messenger, was, That he was very glad of his comming to this his Port, for that he was wel informed of his strength and valiantnesse, and therfore he estéemed them all the better, as héereafter he should well perceiue. And as for such Spices as he had there, he would giue him y^e same in trucke of his Merchaundize y^• he had brought with him from Portingale, or els for money as he should thinke best. And also that without any feare he might send a land whom he should thinke good to prouide the said lading, & for the as­surance of such as shuld trauel about y^e same he sent him 2. of y^• principal Naires in pledge, vpō cōditiō y^t euery day he shuld [Page 91] chaunge them and take others, for that all such as did féede a sea boorde, could not come anye more in the kings pre­sence. The Captaine Generall was well contented there­with, who had the sending of those pleadges so quietly a boord, for a good beginning, and therfore he sent immediatly for Factor of this lading Gonsallo Gilbarbosa, which was sent before with Aries Correa, and for his Scriuenor he sent Larenco Moreno, and for Interpretour one cal­led Maderade Alcusia. Also the Captaine Generall com­maunded to be deliuered vnto them and to serue them in all kinde of affaires, foure banished men.

The king hauing notice of the comming of the Factor a land, sent to receiue him the Rogedor of the Citie, who went accompanyed with many noble men of the Courte, who brought them before the king. This king euen as his rents did farre differ in value from the king of Calycuts, so he did also differ very much in his estate, not onely for y^e furniture of his person, but also of the place in the which he was in. For there appeared nothing else but the verye bare walls. The king himselfe was sitting within certeine grates, made much lyke a Theatre, with the which the whole house was compassed aboute,The king of Coch­ing much inferior in vvealth & state to y^e king of Calycut. and there was attending vppon him verie few men. The Factor béeing come before the king, did present vnto him a present which the Captaine Generall sent him, which was a Bason of siluer to wash his hands in, full of Saforne, and a greate Ewer of siluer full of rose water, besides certeine braun­ches of Corall, this present the king receiued very ioyful­fully, giuing vnto the Captaine Generall great thanks for the same, and after that he had talked a while with the fac­tor, and with Larenco Moreno, he commaunded them to be lodged, and so there remained those thrée a land, besides the other foure banished men. But the Captaine Generall would not consent there should remaine a land anye more, for he iudged that the fewer ther remained a land, the few­er would be lost if so be that there should chaunce the lyke misfortune to that which did in Calycut. Howbeit that was [Page] farre vnlike, for y^t the king of Coching séemed to be a man inclined to vertue & all the loialtie in the world, which wel appeared in his fauour, & in the vsing of our men, & in the dispatch he made for the lading of our ships with spices, & in the commanding of helpe to be giuen by those of y^• coun­trie, which they did so willingly and with so great a zeale, that the same séemed to be ordeined of God, that the trade might be brought from Calycut to Coching, & that his ho­ly Catholike faith might increase in the Indias, as y^e same did, besides the estate of y^e king of Portingale, which might increase also in riches as the same hath done.

Hovv the Captaine General being at Coching, ther came vnto him a Priest vvhich vvas an Indian and a christian, from the citie of Grangalor, to go vvith him to Portingale, and also vvhat els he tolde him of the christians of this citie. Chap. 39

THe Captaine Generall béeing in this citie & laden, there came vnto him two Indians which as they said were christians, & naturally borne in y^e citie of Grangalor, which is hard by Coching, these were brothers, & were desirous to go to Portingale, & frō thence to Rome to sée the Pope, & afterward to Ierusalem to visit y^e holy sepulchre. And being demanded by y^e Captaine gene­rall what city y^• Grangalor was, & whether the same was only inhabited by christians, & also whether they do estéeme y^e christiā order of y^• Gréeks, or of y^e church of Rome: one of thē made answere, y^• Grangalor was a gret city in y^e pro­uince of Malabar, stāding w^tin y^e coūtry at y^e end of a riuer which cōpasseth y^e same, by some parts y^e inhabitāts therof, saith he, are both Gētiles & christiās, also ther dwel amōgst thē many Iewes which are smally estéemed of, ther are also many strangers amongst thē,The di­scriptiō & state of Grāgalor. which are merchants of Sur­ria, of Aegipt, of Persia, & Arabia, by reason of y^e great store of pepper which is there gathered, this citie hath a king a­mongst thēselues, vnto whō al such christians as dwel w^tin this citie do pay certein tribute, & these dwel by thēselues, where they haue their church made after our order, sauing they haue not in thē any Images of saints, but only certein crosses: they do not vse bels, but when y^e priests would haue [Page 92] thē come to diuine seruice, thē they do obserue y^• order of y^• Gréeks. The christiās haue their Popes which haue 12. car­dinals, & two patriaks, & many Bishops & Archbishops, all which do reside in Armenia, for thether go y^e bishops of Grā ­galor to receiue their dignity, he himself had ben ther w^t a bishop which y^e pope did consecrate, & he himself receiued at his hands, orders of priesthood, & euen so he is accustomed to do vnto al others y^• are christians in y^• Indias, & in Caitaio & also he is called catholike, & their Tonsura is made w^t a crosse. Of those two patriarks which they haue, y^t one re­maineth in y^e Indias, & y^e other in Caitaio, & as for y^• bishops they are reposed in cities,Why the christians of y^e Indi­as hath a Pope. as is thought cōuenient. The cause why they haue a pope in those parts hath ben as is thought by thē, for y^t in S. Peters time he being in Antioch, ther a­rose a great scisme of Simon Magus, which was y^e occasiō y^• he was called to Rome to ouerthrow y^e same, & to help y^e christians which wer in great trouble: and séeing y^• he must depart frō Antioch, & for y^t the church of y^• orient shuld not remaine w^tout a shepheard, he appointed a vicar to gouern, who, S. Peter being dead, shuld remaine for pope, & those y^• succéeded him shuld alwaies assist him in Armenia, but af­ter y^e Moores entred into Suria & Asia, & for y^e Armenia re­mained alwaies in the christian faith: the Christians did therfore chuse to gouerne it by 12. cardinals. Marco Paulo doth also make mentiō of this catholike pope, wher he wri­teth of this Armenia, in which he declareth there are two orders of Christians: the one of those are Nestorians, the other Iacobites, The manner of shauing their priests differing frō ours. their pope is also named Iacobite, & is hée whō they cal y^e catholike Ioseph. Moreouer he told y^e Cap­taine general y^• in Grangalor are priests whose crowns are not shauen as ours are, but onely in y^e midst of their heads they leaue certein haires, al y^• rest is shauen, & also they haue deacons & subdeacons. They consecrate w^t leuened bread & with wine made of raisons, for they haue no other in y^• coū ­try. Their childrē are not baptised vntil xl. daies after their birth, without they be sickly. Those y^• are christians do cō ­fesse thēselues as we do, they receiue y^• sacrament & bury y^e dead as we doe. [Page] They doe not vse the holy Oyle, but in stéede of the same they doe blesse them, & when that any die, they gather many of themselues together, and for the space of viii. daies, they doe eate abundantly, and afterward they celebrate the ob­sequies of the dead. They make their testament before they dy, & those y^• do not so, [...]he next heire shal inherit their lands and goods, & if so be that the husband die first, the wife shal haue her dowrie, on condition that she shall not marrie in one whole yeare after, when that they enter in their chur­ches, they take holy water. Their opinion is that there are sowre Euangelists, whose writings they haue in great ve­neration. They fast the Lent and the Aduent with greate solempnitie, and take regard not to breake the same, during this time they doe exercise themselues in praier, & on Ea­ster euen they neither doe eate nor drinke any thing till the next day. They doe vse to heare Sermons on holy Fri­day at night, they obserue the day of the resurrection with great solempnitie, with the two other daies following, and also the sunday next following, for that Saint Thomas on that day did put his hands into Christs side, they do kéepe it with great solempnitie, acknowledging thereby that the same was no fantasie or dreame. Also they kéepe holy with great deuotion the Ascention day & Trinitie Sunday, & the Assumption of our lady, hir birth, & Candlemas day, & Christ­mas day, & all the Apostles & Sundaies, as wel the Christi­ans as y^e Gentiles. And they with great deuotion kéep y^• first day of Iuly in the honour of S. Thomas, they could yéelde no reason or cause why they doe obserue that daie. They haue Fryers of Negroes which doe liue very chastly. Also there are Nunnes of the same order.Negro friers pro­fessing chastitie. Their Priests doe liu [...] verye chastly, for if so be that they doe not so, they are depriued from celebrating. There can be no seperating of the man and woman, but well or ill they must liue together till death doe separate them. They receiue the Sacrament thrée times in the yeare, they haue amongst them greate Doctours, and open schooles, in the which are read the Pro­phets: and also there were in times past olde auncient doc­tors [Page 93] doctors, which haue left the Scriptures of the olde & newe Testament well expounded or interpreted. Their apparell is after the order of y^e Moores. They haue their day which they do call I [...]tercalor, which is of 40. ho [...]s. They know how the day passeth away by the Sun, & the night by the stars, for they haue no clocks. The Captaine generall was very glad of the companye of this Ioseph & his brother to carry them to Portingale, for whom he commanded a good cabine should be giuen them in his ship.

Of the great Fleet of ships that was sent out of Calicut to fight with the Captaine Generall, and what was the cause that ours did not sight with them. And also of his departure from Coching toward Portingale, and how in his way he was driuen to Cananor. Chap. 40.

THe Captaine Generall being in this har­bour, ther came vnto him a messenger frō the king of Cananor, & also from the king of Coula [...] (they both being great princes) in y^• kingdome of Malabar, requesting him to come to their ports or harbours, for y^t they would giue him sufficient lading for his ships, better cheape then in Coching, with verye many other offers of friendship. To whom he made answere by a messenger that he sent, yéelding vnto them most hearty thanks, certifieng them y^• at this present he could not go to lade at their ports, for that he had begun to take in the same already at Co­ching, A greate Fleete of enimies. notwithstanding at his next retourne he wold do so, immediatly after y^t he had laden his ships, there was séene a sea boord a fléete of 25. great ships, besides other small ves­sels. And y^e king of Coching hauing notice therof, sent word forthwith to the Captaine Generall, y^t there was in that fléet xv. thousand fighting men which came onely to none other purpose, but to séeke him out, and therefore if so bée [Page] that he should haue any néed of men, to send him word, & he would prouide him therof. The Captaine Generall answe­red, that as yet he had no such néede, for that with those few that hée had with him, he trusted in God, to giue them to vnderstand, what ill councell they had taken, to come & séeke him out, for that hée had well experimented theyr strength. Truth it was the Generall beléeued steadfast­lye, as hée hadde spoken, in respect of that which hée before had past in the harbour or porte of Calycut. First with ten great shippes which hée founde there, as also with cer­teine that were there a grounde. And although the eny­myes were scouring vp and downe in the Sea, yet therby it was apparaunt that they durst not come to the place where hée was, by a league, for all that they shewed them­selues to be set in order to fight. The Captaine Generall perceiuing theyr intent, caused to wey Ankor, and hauing his Sailes spread abroade, departed with all his Fléete towarde his enimyes, in the which there went those Pleadges Malabars, which the King of Coching hadde giuen vnto him. Howbeit his determination was, to re­tourne againe to Coching, and so to deliuer them. And going after this sorte, there fell vppon them on a so­dayne such a greate storme which came with a contrarye winde, that hée was faine to retourne and to come to an Ankor againe, so that hée coulde not beare with his eny­mies.

The next daye following which was the tenth daye of Ianuarye. 1501. the winde came about in such sorte and so large, that the one Fléete might laye the other a­boorde. The Captaine Generall beeing desirous there­of, founde vppon a sodeine missing one of his greate Shippes, in the which went Sancho de Toar, vnto whome it did well appeare, by reason it was night, that he had forgotten himselfe. And for because that next vn­to this shippe, this was the principallest of all the Fléete, in the which were placed the chiefest men, it was not thought good to fight without him, the tather for that in [Page 94] the others he hadde but fewe men, and of them the most parte were sicke, and of the enymyes were so manye as the king of Coching had sent him worde.

And as the winde was prosperous to goe forwarde on his voyage towarde Portingale, He mak­eth to­vvard Portingale. and verye scant to retourne toward Coching, hee departed, making his course into the Sea with his whole Fléete. After whome the whole Fléete of the enimies followed, all that daye till it was night, and then they lost theyr companye, and so retourned. Thus going in his course, he beganne to com­fort those Nayres which were deliuered vnto him for Pleadges, with manye pleasaunt tales, the which was the cause that they fell to theyr meate, béeing thrée dayes there, & had eaten nothing of fiue daies of theyr sailing, and vpon the xv. of Ianuarie, he came within sight of Cananor, which lyeth flat north from Coching, and is in the coast of Malabar, xxxi. leagues from Coching.

Cananor is a greate citie,The di­scription of the tovvne of Cananor. consisting of houses made of Earth, and couered ouer with broade stone or [...]ate, there are in this Citie many Moores that are great merchants, which trade in all kinde of merchaundise. There is ad­ioyning vnto this Citie a goodly Baie, but there is in this Coast no great store of Pepper, no more then doth serue their owne turnes. Howbeit they haue greate store of Gin­ger,Drugs for the Pothecaries. Cardamomon, Tamarindos, Mirabolanos, Canyfisto­la, and such lyke. There belong vnto this Citie certeine pooles of water, wherein there do bréed Lagartos, the which are lyke vnto the Crocodiles that are in the riuer of Ni­lo, which are so great that they doe eate men, if so be that they maye come by them. Their heads are great, and they haue two orders of téeth, their breath is as swéet as muske, and their bodies are couered ouer with shels. Also about this citie there are in bushes great adders, which are very full of poison, so that with their breath onely they do kill men: also there are Bats so great as kites, which in their heads doe séeme much like vnto a Foxe, hauing such manner of téeth also.

[Page] These the Gentiles doe féede vpon, for that they are plea­sant and swéete. They haue moreouer in this Citie plentie both of fish, flesh, & fruits, & as for rice y^• commeth vnto thē from other places. The king is a Gentile, and a Bramene, hée is counted to be one of the thrée of the prouince of Ma­labar, but he is not so rich nor of so great a power as is the king of Calycut, nor yet as the king of Coulan. Vnto this harbour arriued the Captaine General, and came to an an­kor, (not onelye for that the king had requested him so to doe) but also for that he minded to take in there some Ci­namon, whereof hée had none yet a boorde, so that there hée tooke in 400. Quintalls,Euery quintall is 100. vveight. and might haue had much more, but he would not take it, wherefore it was thought that he wanted money: wherevpon the king tooke occasion to send him word, that if so be the lacke of money were the cause that he tooke no more thereof, or any other spices, hée was then much to blame, for that hée woulde trust him with much more if néede so required, vntill hée returned backe againe, hée or any other. Hée was the willinger to send him this offer, for that he knewe the true dealing of the Portingale, and howe well they mainteined theyr promise: and for that hée did beare vs so greate good will, the Captaine Generall made him aunswere, giuing him greate good thankes for the lyberall offers hée hadde made him: promising that if hée liued, hée woulde enforme the king his maister of the greate good will that hee doth beare him. And once this, hée maye bée assured to haue him alwayes for his friende. After this was deli­uered vnto him an Embassadour, whome the king of Cananor sent to the king of Portingale to increase a further friendship be­twéene them.

¶What had chaunced to the Captaine generall vn­till such time that hee arriued at Monsanbique. and from thence to Lishborne, and how Sancho de Toar, did discouer the Ilande of Sofala. Chap. 41.

IN the middes of that goulfe, and on the last day of Ianuary, he tooke a great ship, rich­ly laden with Merchandise, and perceiuing that it belonged to the King of Cambaya, he would not meddle therewith, but rather sent him word that his comming to the In­dias was not to make warres with any, but if so be that he minded so to doe, it shall be with the King of Calycut, for that he had broken the peace he had made with him: onely out of that ship he tooke a Pilot, for to safeconduct him, till he had past the gulfe. And he being in the same vnder saile, on a certaine night, which was the xii. of February, they lost the ship of Sancho de Toar, which in a storme, that rose sodainly vpon them,A ship of the fleete cast avvay being hard by the shore side, violentlye they ranne vpon it, by meanes whereof, there was kindled in the same a great fire, so that nothing was saued, but one­ly the men. Following their course in this tempest, they past by Mylynde, onely for that they could not take harbor there, nor on any other land but only Monsanbique, which he tooke in his waye, as well for the want they had of wa­ter, as also to new rig their ships, for y^t they went all open.

In the meane while he sent Sancho de Toar, to disco­uer Sofala, and from thence to retourne towarde Portin­gale, with relation thereof. The shippes béeing all in a readinesse, they returned toward the Cape Buena espe­ransa, and ther by reason of another great storme, that ouer­tooke them, there was shot out of a ship a great péece of Or­dinaunce, which ship was neuer séene after in all that voy­age. After so many great and cruell stormes, and other great daungers, which are innumerable to write of, he past the foresaid Cape, the xxii. of May, which fell on Whitsundaye, [Page] and so following their course, came to an Ankor at Cabo Verde, Diego Dias found at Capo Verde, & his voy­age. where he found Diego Dias (whose company he had lost before, when as he went toward the Indias) who was driuen into the red Sea, where he did winter, and lost his boate, and where also dyed the most part of his men, and for that his Pilot durst not venture to carry them to the Indi­as, did return toward Portingale. And so after that he came out of the red Sea, what with hunger, thirst, and othe dis­eases, all his men were consumed sauing seauen persons: wherein God of his great goodnesse shewed a miracle, for­somuch as in many dayes before, they were not able to go­uerne their sailes, for that they were so féeble and weake. The Captain generall séeing that ther came no more ships, departed towards Lishborne, wherevnto he came the last daye of Iuly in the yeare of our Lord 1501. And after that he was arriued, in came the ship, which shot off the péece of Ordinaunce in the storme, before that he doubled the Cape Buena esperansa, and after him came also Sancho de Toar, who went to discouer Sofala, and made relation thereof to be a small Iland,The Ilād of Sofala discoue­red. standing hard to the firme lande, and that it was inhabited by blacke men, which are called Ca [...]res, and that out of the firme lande there commeth much golde, where, as they say, there are mynes thereof. And for that cause there goe out of the Indias thether many Moores, that receiue the same in trucke of Merchandize of small valew. Moreouer he brought with him a Moore, which was giuen him in pawne of one of his men, which he sent into y^e firme land for to view the same. This Moore gaue large informa­tion thereof, as héereafter I shall declare. With this last ship there did returne vnto Portingale, of twelue that went for the Indias, onely sixe: the other sixe were lost.

¶How Iohn de la Nueu [...] went for Captaine gene­ral of the third Fleet that was sent to the Indias, & what hee did after his arriuall there, & how from thence he returned toward Portingale. Chap. 42.

[Page 96] IN this yeare of our Lord 1501. the King of Portingale supposing that all contention and strife in Calycut was finished,The third Fleet that vvent frō Portingal to the In­dias & that y^e trade was setled as well there as in Quiloa and Sofala, and for that he had sent the selfe same yeare for that purpose one Pedro Aluares: therefore he thought best not to send any more then 3. ships & a Caruell, of y^e which two caried Merchandize to Sofala, & the other two to Calycut. Of this Fléete he made Generall one called Ioan de la Nueua, born in Galyzia, & this charge was giuen him, for y^t he was accōpted to be a valyant Gen­tleman: moreouer, Francisco de Nauoys, Diego, Barboso, & Hernando de la pyna, war appointed for his captains. Ther went in this Fléet no more then lxxx. men. That which the king had giuen him in commandement to do, was this, that in his way he should touch at the Ilande of S. Blaze. The order that the king gaue him con­cerning this voy­age. And being come thether, if it should to chaunce, that he shoulde finde missing any of his ships, that then he should there re­maine ten dayes, and from thence he should depart toward Sofala, and being there, if so be that ther were setled a Fac­torie, to discharge the Merchandize the which were appoin­ted for that place. From the which he might haue recourse vnto the Indias. And if so be that he found not all thing so, that then he should trauell with all diligence, and as much as in him lay, to settle the same before he should goe from thence: which being finished, that then he should leaue for Factor of that place Aluoro de Braga, with all such Mer­chandize as wer appointed, which went in the Caruell. Frō thence he shuld go for Quiloa, & after y^t he had bene ther, he shuld kéepe his right course toward Calicut. And if so bée that he shuld finde ther as yet Pedro Aluares, to know whe­ther he stand in any néed of him, & that he shuld obey him as his general, & wil him to settle a factory in Sofala, if it were not done alredy. This general being departed frō Lishborn, he came safely to y^e Iland of S. Blaze, wherin a branch of a trée was foūd a shoe, & in y^e same was a letter which made mention, y^e Pedro de Tayde captain of y^e fléet of Pedro Alua­res [Page] Cabral, which was hound to Portingale was past by, and so making further relation what had chanced vnto him in Calycut, and of the good entertainment they had in Co­ching, where as then did remaine some of our men, and also how the King of Cananor shewed himselfe very curteous. This as it appeared, was written by Pedro de Tayde, to aduertise all such Captaines as should passe by to Calycut. The Captaine generall with the other Captaines perusing this letter, did then determine, y^t it was not requisit, to leaue the Caruell in Sofala, for that they had but few men, which was not aboue foure score. And with this they thought it conuenient to go to Quiloa, where they founde a banished man, whom Pedro Aluares had left there, who likewise in­formed the Generall, what Pedro Aluares had past in Cali­cut, the which he had learned of certaine Moores, and also of the ships that he had lost. From thence he went to Mylinde, where he talked with the King, which tolde him as much more as the banished man had done. And hauing the same for certaine,they take their voyage to the Indias. he went ouer to the Coast of the Indias, to the which he came in Nouember, and fell to an Ankor in An­sadina, where he thought conuenient to take in his water. And being there arriued, there came in vpon a sodaine, sea­uen great shippes of Cambaya, which were bounde into the Straights. The Moores wold haue fought with our fléete, but our ordinaunce was the cause that they durst not laye vs aboord, and so they went their way. After this, the Cap­taine generall departed to Cananor: where he talked with the King, which certified him of that which had likewise past in Calycut with Pedro Aluares, and what he had done, and how he offered him lading for those ships which he had brought with him. Also he certified him, how desirous hée was to be at the King of Portingales commaundement: yet for all these faire words, the Captaine generall woulde not take in there any lading, vntill such time he had ben at Co­ching with the Factor, toward which place he departed, and in his way he tooke a ship which appertained vnto y^e Moores of Calycut, the which defended hir selfe very valyauntlye, [Page 97] but afterward he commaunded to set the same a fire. And being ariued at Coching, the Factor with the rest of his cō ­pany went to visite the Captaine generall aboorde his ship, who told him that the King was greatly offended with Pe­dro Aluares, for y^t he went his way without speking with him, & for carrieng away his pledges: yet this notwithstan­ding, both he & the rest of his company wer alwayes curte­ously entertained. In y^e night they wer brought into his pal­laice, y^t there they might remaine: & if so be y^t in y^e day they wer any thing desirous to walk abroad, then they wer ten­ded vpon by certain of his Nayres, which were commanded to attend vpon them, & kéepe them company for feare of the Moores,The malitiousnesse of the Moores. for that they did not loue them, but rather were de­sirous to kill them, insomuch, that before they went to the Pallaice, they did one night set fire to the house, wherein they did lye: whereof the King hauing knowledge, from thence foorth he had them to his Pallaice, and so commaun­ded from that time forwarde the Nayres to take a care of them. Moreouer, he was told what ill sales he shoulde finde there of such Merchaundize as he had brought, for that the Moores had perswaded the Merchaunts of the Countrey to giue lyttle for the same: and also aduised those that sell the Pepper and other Spices, that they should not sell the same but for ready money, and not in trucke of Merchaundize: & therefore they tolde him that if so be he had brought no mo­ney to buye their Spices withall, that then he should make no reckoning of the same. And therefore for that the Ge­nerall had brought none, he would tarrie there no longer, but returned to Cananor, to take in there his lading, where the King was so great a friend to the King of Portingale, that when he vnderstood, that he had brought no money, he remained his suretie for a thousand Quintall of Pepper, & for fiftie of Ginger,Euerye Quintall is a 100. vvaight. & for foure hundred & fiftie Quintall of Cinamon: besides some linnen cloath, which is made of Al­gadon, vntill such time he had made sales of all such Mer­chandize as he had brought with him, which he had lefte in Cananor, in the hands of a Factor & two Scriuenors, and so [Page] from thence he should returne with the first winde, y^• which as then did begin to blow, and therefore he would tarry no longer. To the intent therefore they shuld not depart with­out their lading, he shewed the Captaine generall this plea­sure. The Captaine generall seeing this his curteous dea­ling, did commend vnto his custodie certaine of his men, the which he left with him, for that he had sent with Pedro Al­uares Cabral Embassadors to Portingale. This lading bée­ing taken in, then on the xv. of December, ther did appeare in the Sea lxxx. Paraos, which were past the Mount Dely. Whereof the King hauing knowledge, he sent word imme­diately to the Captaine generall, that those were the Fléete of Calycut, that came onely to set vpon him, and therefore it were good he shuld command his men to disimbark them­selues & their ordinance:The king of Calicut sent lxxx. Paraos to fight with y^e captain generall vnto which y^e captain general made aunswere, that he would not so doe. For if so be that the enimies came with that intent, he had a hope in God y^t he should be able to defend himselfe: and with that he put him­selfe in a readinesse. The next day following, which was the xvi. day of December, before y^• dawning of y^• day, ther was come into the Bay to the number of 100. ships and Paraos, which wer all full of Moores, béeing sent of purpose, for that the King of Calicut was informed, that they were there ta­king in of their lading, so that he thought by that meanes that neither ship nor man should escape, and therefore they lay as they did about the Baye. As soone as the Captaine generall had viewed them, he remoued from the place wher he was at an Ankor, and brought himselfe into the middes of the Baye, leauing order with his ships, that they should lay on loād with their ordinaunce which they had, with the which he commaunded them foorthwith to begin to shoot off: which was done in such sort, that they did neuer cease. And if so be that he had not done so, doubtlesse the enimies wold haue laid their ships aboord, by reason there were so manye: So that it was vnpossible for him to escape, if God of his goodnesse had not fauoured him, and prouided by his mercie, that the enimies brought no Ordinaunce with them. [Page 98] Wherefore they were the bolder to dispend amongst them their shot, with the which there were many very sore hurt, ouer and besides great numbers that were slaine, and their ships and Paraos sunke, for they durst not venter to lay our ships aboord, nor yet had killed or hurt any of our men. The fight dured vntill such time it was Sunne set, then the eni­mies helde vp a flagge. But, for that he feared they meant thereby some deceipt, he did not leaue off shooting: for other­wise they might haue thought he had so done, for y^t he was wearied, or els for feare. But it was nothing so, for they did it for the desire they had of peace, in respect of the hurt and losse of their men,This flag was a sign & request of peace. which they had receiued at our mens hands, whereby they were driuen to such necessitie, that if so be that the winde had serued, they had hoysed vp theyr sayles and gone theyr way, and therefore they kept vp their flagge. The Captaine generall perceiuing their meaning, (and for that the most part of his Ordinaunce was broken, with the continuall shooting thereof, did answere them with another flagge, which was done by the councell and consent of the other Captaines: and immediatelye vppon the same, they sent a Moore, which came in a small Boate vnto him, whose message was, to demand peace till the next day, which was by him graunted, with this condition, that they should tarrie no longer in the Baye, but go into the open Sea, & so they did. The generall (although y^e wind was partly against him) made likewise his course into the Sea, although it wer troublesome vnto him. The Moores could not doe the lyke, for their shippes and Paraos can beare no sayle but with a forewinde. Yet for all the trouble that was past, the Gene­rall came to an Ankor hard by them, and for all that he vsed in the night a great and vigilant watch, by the which they hearde the enimies rowing in their boates towardes our Fléete, yet before that they were knowen, they wer almost vpon him: their intent as it was presupposed, was to set our Fléete a fire. The Captaine Generall fearing this, com­maunded to vyere more of the Cabells, that he might bée the farther off from them.

[Page] And perceiuing that the enimies did yet followe them, he then commanded a péece to be shot of at them, with y^• which they were afeard, & so went their way: & as y^e wind came of the shore somwhat faire, they hoysed vp their sailes, and fol­lowed their course toward Calicut. The Captaine generall gaue God great thanks, y^t he had so deliuered him from his enimies, & so taking his leaue of the King of Cananor, de­parted toward Portingale, they ariue safelye at Portingal where he arriued in safetie with all his ships. After that he was departed, there came to Ca­nanor one of his men, called Gonsallo Pixoto, which was taken in Calicut for Captiue, whome the King sent with a messenger to the Captaine generall. The effect thereof was, excusing himselfe of all that was done vnto Pedro Aluares, and further also what hurt he had done vnto his Fléete in Cananor. Moreouer, he offered him, if so be that he would come to Calycut, to giue him his full lading of Spices, and sufficient Pledges for the assuraunce of the same.

¶How Vasco de la Gama retourned for Captaine generall to the Indias with a Fleete of ships, and what hee did till he came to Quiloa. Chap. 43.

THe King of Portingale hauing great desire to reuenge,The iiii. voyage to the Indias 1502. the iniuries & treason that the king of Calicut had done vnto his seruants, did therefore cause to be made in a readi­nes a great Fléete of ships, with the which he did determine to make warres against him. And hauing giuen the charge thereof to Pedro Aluares Cabral, did vpon certaine iust considerations take the same from him againe, and in his stéed appointed for Generall, Don Vasco de la Gama, who departed from Lishborne, the third of March, in the yeare of our Lord 1502. and had the charge of thirtéene great Ships and two Caruells, of the which besides himselfe went for Captaines Pedro Alonso de Aquilar, Philipe de [...]astro, Don Luys Cotīnuo, Franco de Conya, Pedro de Tayde, Vasco Caruallo, Vincēte Sodre, [Page 99] and Blas Sodre, cousin germaines to the Captaine general, Gil Hernand, cousin to Larenco de la Mina, Iuan Lopes Perestrelo, Rodrigo de Casteneda, Rodrigo de Abreo and of the caruells, Pedro Raphael & Diego Peres. They car­ryed also a Caruell vnwrought, which they shoulde make an ende of in Monsanbique, of the which there shoulde goe for Captaine one called Hernand Rodrignes Badar­sas: besides this xv. saile ther remained making in a redines other fiue ships, of the which there should go for Captaine generall, one Steuen de la Gama, who departed the fift day of May, next after following. After that the Captaine ge­nerall had doubled the Cape of Buena Esperansa with his whole fléete, béeing at the furthest end of the currents, hée sent the same to Monsanbique, to remaine there whilest hée went to Sofala, according as he was commaunded by the king. He carried in his companie foure of the smal­lest shippes of the whole Fléete. His going thether was not onely to sée the scituation of the same,He goeth first to Sofala to re­grate their golde. and to sée whe­ther there were any place conuenient there for to make a fort, but also for to regrate their gold, and this was done in xxv. dayes. The frindship betwéene the king of Sofala and him, was agréed vpon, and that he might from thence forth settle the factorie there. After that this was ended, there passed betwéens them sundrie presents from the one to the other. And hauing concluded, the Captaine generall depar­ted from thence, and retourned to Monsanbique, and in going out of the riuer there was lost one of the ships, but the men were all saued. Being arriued at Monsanbique he immediatly renewed with the gouernour the olde friend­ship which in times past had bene betwéene them, and by his condesent was left there a factor, which was deliuered vnto him with other more of our men, which remained in the Factorie for no other purpose but to prouide alwaies victualls for such Fléetes as should touch there,A house apointed for the Factory. either go­ing or comming from the Indias. This béeing finished, & hauing made an end of the Caruell with all his ordinance placed, he departed toward Quiloa, with intent to bring [Page] him to be tributarie to the king of Portingale, the order whereof he carryed with him in his Register, which hée meant to put in execution, by reason of the euill intertein­ment he gaue to Pedro de Aluares Cabrall. And beeing come to this harbour or port, the king went to visit him, a seaboord, which hée did onely for the feare that he was in, for the iniurie which he had done to Pedro Aluares. After that he was come thether, there arriued also Steuen de la Gama, that came with other fiue ships, which he departed withall out of Portingale. Now when the Captaine Ge­nerall estéemed the king but for a lyar, and had got him a seaboorde, he would not trust him on his promise any fur­ther, but did immediatly threaten him, that if so be that hée would not pay tribute to the king of Portingale, he would commaund him to prison, vnder the hatches of his shippe. With the feare héereof, he promised to giue him yéerely two thousand Miticaes of gold, and for the assurance of the pai­ment thereof, he gaue in pledge a principall Moore, whome they doe call Mafamede Aleones, one whome he hated, for that he was a feard least he wold take the kingdome from him, for that he himselfe hadde vsurped the same from the right king. After that he sawe himselfe at libertie, and in the citie, he woulde not according to his promise send his tribute, but rather hoped that the Captaine Generall wold haue caused the pleadge to be killed, by reason whereof he should be ridde of an enimie. But the Moore, séeing that the tribute came not, was faine to pay the same himselfe, and therevpon the Captaine Generall did deliuer him.

How the Captaine Generall did take a ship of the Moores of Meca, at the mount Dely, & what chaunced vnto him thereby. chap. 44.

THis being done, the Captaine Generall, went for­ward on his voyage, toward Mylynde, where hée staide to take in his water, and to sée the king: and [Page 100] from thence he kepte his course towarde the Indias, and at the mount Dely, A ship of y^e Moores of Meca taken. he met with a ship of the Moores of Me­ca, that was bound to Calycut, which was taken by our men, for that they did defende themselues verie stout­lye.

The shippe béeing rendered, the Captaine Generall went a boorde the same, where he commaunded to come before him the owners thereof, and all the principallest Moores that were more there. He willed them also to bring with them all such kinde of merchaundise as they had, threate­ning them that if they did it not, he woulde cause them to be throwen into the sea. They aunswered him that they had nothing, for that all theyr goods were in Calycut. The Captaine Generall shewed himselfe to bée offended with that aunswere, and did therefore commaunde one of them to be throwne into the sea, bound hand and foot. The others with the feare they had conceiued to sée this punishment, did deliuer all that they had, which was much, and that ve­ry good merchaundise, which was immediatly commaunded to be deliuered vnto Diego Hernando Correa, that went for Factor to Coching, and so he gaue order that the same should be carryed a boorde another shippe.

All the children which were a boorde the sayde shippe, were carryed aboorde the Generall, for that he had made promise to make them all Friers, and to place them in our Ladyes Church of Belem, as afterwarde he did. The rest of the merchaundise which were of the mea­ner sorte, and of small value, hée gaue the spoyle of them to his men. The shippe béeing vnladen of the goods, com­maundement was giuen to Steuen de la Gama, to set the same a fire. This was done after that the Moores were driuen vnder the Hatches, to reuenge the death of those that were slaine in Calycut.

This shippe béeing sette a fire, by the foresayde Steuen de la Gama, and other two, they leaped then into their Boates, leauing the shippe burning. The Moores that were within the same, after that they perceyued [Page] the Shippe to burne, did breake open the hatches: by meanes whereof they were set at libertie: and with the wa­ter the ship had within it did quench the fire. The Captain Generall séeing this, forthwith commaunded Steuen de la Gama to goe once more, and laye the same aboorde, to the which he went with sundry of his men, with their wepons. Howbeit the Moores did defende themselues as desperate men,Desperate minds in time of extremitie. not fearing death. Some there were of them that tooke firebrands and threw the same into one of the ships, with determination to set the same a fire. Others y^• threw the like at their heads. And for that the night drew on, they left them there, because the Captaine Generall was not of that minde, they should remaine there in the darke, for feare least the Moores should kill some of our men. Howbeit he gaue commaundement, that the foresaid shippe shoulde be watched, that the Moores shoulde not runne to lande, which was hard by. The Moores all that night did nothing else but crie out to Mahoma to succour and de­liuer them from vs. The dawning of the day béeing come, the Captaine Generall commaunded once more that Ste­uen de la Gama with some of the Marriners of his shippe should goe and lay the Moores ship a boord, and set the same a fire againe, which was so done. Now after that he hadde made the Moores to flie and to ioyne themselues in the poope of their ship, fighting alwaies with them, notwith­standing the which, certeine of his Marriners and Gun­ners would not leaue them vntill such time the ship was halfe burnt. When the Moores sawe the fire, some there were that leaped into the sea with hatchets in their hands, which they carried swimming, with determination to kill all those that did pursue them with boats, whom lyke wild men desperately bent they did set vppon. Yet for all that there were many that were hurt, for that they came néere to our boates side. Howebeit the most parte of them was slaine, and those that remained in the Shippe were drow­ned, within the same, for that the ship did sinke. There were of them in all thrée hundred, whereof there was not [Page 101] one that did escape: and of our men there were some that were hurt.

How the Captaine Generall made peace and friend­ship with the king of Cananor, and afterwarde departed toward Calycut. Chap. 45.

FRom hence went the Captaine Generall to Cananor, An embassadour set to y^e king of Cana­nor. and being come thether to an ankor, he sent y^e Embassador which he brought with him for the king, who told him that he was come, and that his desire was to speake with him. The king héerevpon com­maunded to be made a bridge of Timber, which entered into the water as farre as it was possible. The same was couered ouer with Carpets, and other rich clothes, and vpon it to­ward the lande side, was framed a house lykewyse made of timber,The mee­ting of y^e king and the Cap­taine Ge­nerall at Cananor 1502. couered ouer as the bridge afore sayd, which was made for the méeting of the king and the Captaine Gene­rall. The king beeing the first that was come, came accom­panyed with ten thousand Nayres, and with many Trum­pets, and other instrumentes, which went sounding and playeng before him. After that the king was entered into this house, there were placed the Nayres on the Bridge, those that were appointed to receiue the Captaine Gene­rall. Who standing there, anone came the Generall in his Boate accompanied with all the Boates of the fléete, bée­ing richly couered ouer and set out with theyr Flagges, be­sides that, they carryed certeine Ordinaunce in the proer of theyr Boates. Also there were many Drummes and Trumpets with them, and with shooting of the Ordinance the Captaine Generall disimbarked himselfe, being ac­companied with all his Captaines, and with sundry of his men, which went all armed. [Page] fléet in his port or harbour, by y^e which he feared to receiue There were carried before him two great Basons of sil­uer and gilt, which were to wash his hands in, couered ouer with fine péeces of Corall, and other fine things which they doe greatly estéeme in the Indias. the Nayres view­ing the same, did meruaile to sée the delicatnesse of our men.

With this the king came as farre forth to receiue the cap­taine generall as the gate of his place,The pre­sēt vvhich the king of Portingale sent y^e king of Cananor. where he imbraced him, and afterwarde they returned together to the place from whence the king came forth, where the Captaine ge­nerall had commaunded to be set a couple of chaires, vpon the which, although it was not the kings custome to sit, yet he did at that time for the Captaine Generalls sake. At this present was concluded the friendship betwéene the king of Portingale and him, so that immediatly after that the Factorie was setled in Coching, minding to doe the lyke in Cananor, where as soone as the same was done, he wold lade certeine of his shippes, and after all this the Captaine Generall departed toward Calycut.

How the Captaine Generall came to the port of Calycut, and what hee did there. Chap. 46.

FRom hence the Captaine Ge­nerall béeing come to the har­bour of Calycut, afore they were knowne, did take certaine Paraos in the which were to the number of fiftye Malabars, that could not escape. The Cap­taine Generall would not at the first comming doe the citie any hurt with his ordinaunce, vntill such time he hadde séene whether the king woulde send [Page 102] him any messenger or not. And tarrieng for the same, there came a boorde him, a boate with a Flag in the same, in the which there was a Frier of the order of Saint Fraun­ces, whome after that our men had sight of him, they iudg­ed to be one of those that were in the company of Aries Correa, & remained captiue. This frier being entred into the ship, said Deo gracias, by the same he was knowne to be a Moore, howbeit to excuse himselfe he said that he came after that sort, that they might the rather consent vnto his com­ming a boorde, being sent with a message from the king to the Captaine Generall, about the setteling of a trade in Calicut. Vnto this the Captaine generall made aun­swere, commaunding him not to speake thereof, vntill such time the king had satisfied him for all that he had ta­ken in the Factory, when he consented to the death of A­ries Correa, and the others that were with him. In this mat­ter they spent three daies with messages to & fro, without anye conclusion, for that the Moores did withstande the same.

The Captaine general perceiuing y^t all these delaies were but lies to spend the time, he sent him then word that hée minded not to tarrie for answere any longer then noone, & the same to be with effect, and to complie with him, or else he would make him most cruell warre, with fire & swoord, and that forthwith he wold begin it vpon such his subiects as he had taken prisoners. And because the king should not thinke them to be words onely, he commaunded to bring him a running glasse of an houre, and therevppon he tolde the Moore that went with the message, that of those Glas­ses there should runne so many,The Moores make him keepe no promise vvith the Capteine Generall, nor feare his povver and as soone as they were ended, without any further delay he would commaund all that to be done, which he had sent him word off. But all this could not moue the king to performe anye thing that he had promised, he was so inconstant and giuen to change, with euerye vaine saieng of the Moores: and the outward shew that hée made of peace, was but feigned, by reason of the feare hée had conceiued in himselfe, to sée so greate a [Page] fléet in his port or harbour, by the which he feared to receiue great losse, whereof the Moores did assure him the contra­rye, which was the occasion that he kepte no promise. Vpon this the Captaine generall as soone as the time was come, commaunded to bée shotte off a péece, which was the signe he gaue to the other Captaines, to commaund those Malabars to bée hanged, which were departed amongst the Fléete. After that they were executed, he commaunded their féete and handes to bée out off, which were throwne into a Parao and sent a shoare with two Boates well ar­med, and a Letter for the king of Calycut written in the Arabian tongue, in y^e which hée signified vnto him y^t in such manner, he would paye him for all his faigned lyes which he had spoken vnto this present. And as for his kinges goods, which he did deteine in his hands, he woulde reco­uer them a hundred folde. After all this, he gaue comman­dement, that in the night there shuld be brought thrée ships as néere to the shoare as they could, that the next day with­out ceasing there should be shot all the great Ordinaunce that they had at the Citie, with the which there was great hurt done, besides the kings house which was ouerthrown therewith, and sundrie other houses of the principall inha­bitaunts. This being done, he departed towarde Coching, leauing to kéepe that Coast sixe shippes which were well appointed, of the which was named for Captaine Gene­rall one called Vincente Sodre, to remaine with them in the Indias, that therewith he might goe and discouer the straights of Meca, and the coast of Cambaia.

How the Captaine Generall came to Coching, and what he did there, & also how the king of Ca­lycut sent to traine him thether, for that there hee would traiterously haue taken him, and last of all he wrote a Letter to the king of Coching. Chap. 47.

[Page 103] THe Captaine generall béeing come to the Port or Harbour of Coching, when y^• king had notice thereof, hée sent him before hee came a land, certaine Pleadges to remaine in the ship for his assurance. And afterward he came in person and met him. In this visitation the King did delyuer vnto him Steuen Gyl, with all the others that remained in his Countrey, and in recom­pence of that, the Captaine generall deliuered him a letter, which the King of Portingale had sent him, rendring vnto him most hartie thankes, for the good will he alwaies shew­ed to Pedro Aluares Cabral: and that he was well pleased and contented, to haue a Factory setteled in Coching. Also there was deliuered vnto him a Present,The king of Portingales pre­sent sēt to the king of Co­ching. which y^e King his Master had sent him: which was a rich Crowne of gold, full of Iewells, a Cholar of golde all inameld, two Fountaines of siluer wrought, two Arras clothes of Imagery worke, a costly Pauilion, a péece of crimson Satten, and another of Sendall, all which y^e King did receiue with great pleasure. And for y^t he vnderstood not wherefore euery of these things serued, he requested to be informed of the same. And there­fore the Captaine generall commaunded the Pauilion or Tent to be armed, in the which was concluded a further peace. Also he gaue him a house to settle therein the Facto­rie. Moreouer, the price was agréed vpon, how he would de­liuer the Spices & Drugs that were gathered in his coun­try: of all these things ther was a contract made & set down, which was confirmed by the King. And for a further assu­rance therof, the King of Coching, sent to the King of Por­tingale a Present,The king of Co­ching present set to the king of Portingale. which was two Bracelets of golde, set with stones, a towell which the Moores doe vse of cloath of siluer, which was two yeards & a halfe of length, two great péeces of linnen Cloth, which they doe call Bengala, made of Cotten wooll, which was excellent fine, a stone of the bignes of a walnut, which they doe take out of the head of a beast: they call the same in the Indias, Bulgoldolf, of the which [Page] there are but few found, and these are good against all poy­son. The house in the which they determined to settle their Factorie being graunted, possession thereof was immediate­ly taken by Diego Hernandus, and other two which were Notaries: the one was called Lorenso Moreno, & the other Aluoro vas with others. Whiles the Captaine generalls ship was taking in of his lading, there came a messenger from the King of Calycut vnto him, sieng: that if so bée that he would retourne to Calycut, he woulde restore vnto him all that had bene taken from him, and that he shoulde settle a Trade there. The Captaine generall, after that hée had considered vpon the message,This messēger was one of his chief chaplaines. commaunded the messen­ger to prison, for this intent, to reuenge himselfe on him, if so be that the King did lye, since he had so oftentimes decei­ued him. And being now determined to goe towarde Caly­cut, which was more to sée whether that he coulde recouer the Merchaundize that were taken, then for anye hope hée had of the Kings friendship, would for that cause go alone, leauing behinde him for his Lieuetenaunt, Steuen de la Gama. The Captaines that remained were sore against his going alone, and especially after that sort, for feare of mis­chaunce: yet he would not be perswaded but to goe, saieng that along that Coast there was Vincente Sodre with the other ships, that were appointed to remaine in the Indias: and if so be that he were driuen to any necessitie, hée would ioyne with them. As soone as the king was informed that he was come to Calycut, he sent him immediatly word, that the next day he would comply with him for all such goods, as had bene taken from Pedro Aluares, and afterwarde hée would renue the Trade, and settle the Factorie. But con­trarie to these his wordes, as soone as he had knowledge that the Captaine generall was come alone, vpon a sodayne he commaunded to be made in a readinesse xxxiiii. Paraos, with intent to set vpon him, & so to take him if it were pos­sible. And indéed with such a sodaine came vpon him, that to escape them, he was fain to cut one of his Cables, which he had out, and so made saile. And as the winde was of the [Page 104] land, he went somewhat further off from those Paraos, yet for all that they did not giue him ouer, but alwaies follow­ed him with such a vehemencie, that hadde it not bene for Vincente Sodre and the others which kept along y^t Coast, he had bene taken, but yet at length they were fame to run their way. Being thus escaped, he retourned to Coching, & as soone as he came thether he commanded the messenger to be hanged, whom the King of Calycut had sent vnto him: for the which déed hée remained greatly afrighted, when the same came to his knowledge. But séeing now that by no means he could take him, he determined then to proue, whe­ther he could perswade the King of Coching to giue him no lading, and also not to consent to any Factory for him in his Countrey.

How the Moores were the principall doers heerein, that mooued the King to write concerning that matter by one of his Chaplaines to the King of Coching after this manner.

I Doe vnderstand that thou fauourest Chri­stians,The king of Ca­lycuts letter to y^e king of Coching and that thou hast receiued them in­to thy Citie, & there dost giue them both la­ding & victualls. It is possible thou dost not foresée what daūger may insue therof, & also how much thou dost displesure me. ‘I do re­quest thée y^t thou remember what great friends we haue ben till this present, & now thou dost procure my displeasure, in especiall for so small a matter, as is y^e maintaining of those Christians, which are théeues, y^t accustome to rob in other mens Countries. From henceforth my request is, y^t thou do not receiue them, neither yet giue them spices: in the which thou shalt not onely shew me pleasure, but also binde me to requit thy good will in what thou shalt command. I wil not now further request y^e same, for I beléeue thou wilt do it w^t out further intretie, as I wold for thée in any matter of im­portance.’ This letter being perused by the king of Coching, who was honest & true in al his delings, he was not moued [Page] therewith, but aunswered the King of Calycut, after this sort.

I Cannot well tell how it can be done,The aun­svvere of the king of Co­ching to the king of Caly­cuts letter being a matter of so great a waight, as is to put out of my Citie those Christians, hauing receiued them vpon my word: and to do it so easily as thou doest write. I will neuer request thée of anye such matter, at the desire of the Moores of Me­ca, neither yet vpon the instaunce of no other Merchauntes, that are Traders to Calycut. In receiuing these Christi­ans, ‘and giuing them lading for their ships, I do beléeue that neither to thée nor any other, I doe offence: since that it is a custome we haue amongst vs, to sell our Merchandize to those that will buy them, and to fauour those Merchaunts, which doe resort vnto our Countrey. These Christians came to séeke me out farre off, and for that cause I did re­ceiue them, & promised to defend them. They are no théeues as thou dost tearme them, for they bring great sums of mo­ney, in golde and siluer, and Merchaundize, wherewith they do trade▪ Then friendship I doe and will obserue, dooing therein but my dutie, and so oughtest thou to doe, and other­wise I will not take thée to be my friend: neither yet ough­test thou or any other be agréeued or offended withall, for that which I doe, is to inrich my Citie.’

With this aunswere the King of Calycut was sore of­fended: whereby hée tooke occasion to write this letter fol­lowing.

IT grieueth me very much,The reply to the king of Cochings letter. the hatred or enuie thou hast conceiued against me, for that thereby I do per­ceiue thou wilt leaue my friendshippe for those Christians sake, which I take for my great enimies, & ought to be the cause that thou shouldest accept them after the same sort. ‘Once more therefore I doe returne to desire thée, that thou wilt neither receiue them, nor yet giue them their lading for their ships. For if so be thou wilt not be perswaded, to the contrary, but rather meanest to prosecute thine intent, then [Page 105] I take God to my Iudge, and from henceforth I doe pro­test, that I am not in fault of the damage that will growe vnto thée thereof.’

The King of Coching hauing receiued this letter, laugh­ed at it, saieng to his Chaplaine that was the bringer ther­of, that he would doe nothing for feare, but that which hée minded to doe should be vpon request, and so aunswered to this letter.

I Haue séene thy message,The king of Co­chings ansvvere to the reply. which soundeth as it were threa­tenings. God who alwaies resisteth pride, doth fauour him that hath Iustice & equitie on his side. Since thou art my friend, do not request me so an abhominable and vnlawfull a request, as is to vse treason, especiall amongst Kings, and if there be any other thing that grieueth thée, ‘and is not hurtfull to mine honour, I will doe it, yea, although it wer to my losse, which I doe not estéeme in comparison of mine honour. I doe trust that thou wilt take this aunswere in good part, and preuent the death of men, and the destruction of thy Countrey. But if so be notwithstanding, thou wilt maintaine thine opinion,’ God doth well knowe & perceiue that héereof I am in no fault.

The King of Calycut perceiuing that the King of Co­ching, did stand so much vpon his reputation, and wold not doe that which he had requested him, did then determine, (the Captain generall being once departing) to set vpon him by the waye, and vtterly to destroy him, against whome he commaunded to be made in a readines, a Fléet of xxix. great ships, that they might encounter with him vpon the Sea, at his departure toward Portingale, supposing, that forasmuch as they went laden, he should be the better able to do them the more harme.

Of the battaile that was fought betweene the Fleet of Calycut and the captaine generall, as hee was going toward Cananor: & how Vincente Sodre, Pedro Raphael, and Diego Pieres tooke two of those ships, & how the Captaine generall depar­ted toward Portingale. Chap. 49.

[Page] OF all these letters and messages, the King of Coching woulde neuer make the Cap­taine generall priuie, vntill such time that he was ready to depart, and then he tolde him, which before he was loth to doe. And for that he should not conceiue and thinke him to be so vaine as to alter his minde to doe as the King of Calycut would haue him:Great friendship and con­stancie in an heathē Prince. he did therefore shewe him­selfe to be so constant, and such a friend of the king of Por­tingales, that for his sake he woulde aduenture to loose his Citie if it were néede. For this the Captaine generall gaue him great thankes, saieng, that the King his Master would neuer forget that good will: and in his name he promised to fauour and succour him in such sort, that he shoulde not onely haue his kingdome in great assuraunce, but also that he would ayde him to conquere others. He willed him also not to feare those Letters that the King of Calicut hadde sent him, for that they were nothing els but to put him in feare, and bring him to be a traitor as he was, being there­fore so destroyed, and that from henceforth there shoulde bée made such cruell wars against him, y^e he shuld haue inough to doe to defend himselfe, much lesse to make warres against others. All this he tolde him, for the succour of those ships which should remaine in the Indias.

These wordes were spoken afore many of his Nayres, of the which the King was verye gladde that they heard them. And for that we had knowledge that in respect of the friendship that they had with the Moores, they were verye sorye that we had the Factory graunted in Coching. Therefore the Captaine Generall promised vnto the King that from Cananor hée woulde forthwith sende him the­ther a Fléete of ships, from whence he was minded to de­parte.

[Page 106] Now after that he had laden his ten shippes, and was a Sea boorde, thrée leagues from Pandarane, he had know­ledge of the nine and twentie great shippes of the Moores, that went to séeke him out. And as soone as he had sight of them, he consulted with his Captaines to fight with them, vpon whom with the winde that did begin to blowe, they did beare.

This being agréed vppon,A battaile by sea be­tween our ships, and the kings of Calicut the Generall began to beare toward the Enimies. Vincente Sodre, Pedro Raphael, and Diego Pieres, for that theyr ships were great saylers, went before them all, and these were the first that did giue the on­set vpon two of the chiefest ships. Vincente Sodre, fought with the one alone, and Pedro Raphael, and Diego Pieres with the other. Their méeting was with such a valyaunt minde, that out of both the Enimyes shippes there leapt many into the Sea. The fight indured no longer, but vn­till such time the Captaine generall with the other shippes drewe néere, who did alwayes shoote off at them. In the meane while the rest of the Enimies did beare all that they could towarde the shoare. The Captaine generall for feare of the losse of some of his shippes, would not followe, the rather for that they were all laden: Howbeit, our men leapte into theyr boates, and there fought with those that were swimming in the water, and slewe them all: the which were néere to the number of thrée hundred per­sons.

After this the Captaine Generall commaunded to dis­charge theyr Shippes, which were taken, in the which was founde store of rich Merchaundize:A rich price takē from the enimie. and amongest the same these péeces following: Sixe great Tynages of fine Earth, which they doe call Porcelanas, and the same is verye costlye, as by experience thereof we do sée in Por­tingale: foure great Guyndes of siluer, with certaine perfuming Pannes of siluer: also they there founde, cer­tayne Basons of siluer and gylte, in the which they doe vse to spit. But that which excéeded the rest, was an Idoll of Golde, which weighed thirtie pounde waight, with a [Page] monstrous face and for his eyes he had two verye fine E­merauldes: a Vestement of beaten golde, wrought and set with fine stone, the which vestement belonged vnto this I­doll, with a Carbuncle or Rubie in his breast as bigge as a Crosado, which gaue as great a lyght as it had bene a fire. The ships being set a fire, y^e Captaine general departed to­ward Cananor, wher he was with the King, who gaue him a house for the Factorie, the possession whereof was taken by Gonsallo Gill Barbosa, who was appointed for Factor, and by Sebastian Aluares, and Diego Godino, Notaries, and by the Interpretour, called Edwarte Barboso, and sun­dry others, in all to the number of twentie, of all whom the King tooke charge vpon him, with all that was in the Fac­torie: and bound himselfe to lade from thenceforth all the King of Portingales ships of Spices, that they should at a­ny time haue néed of, and this at a certaine price which was immediately named. The Captaine generall did enter into the like bonds in the name of the King of Portingale, to de­fend him from all those that shoulde make him warres for this cause. Also the King of Cananor did the lyke, and to remaine the King of Cochings friend, and not to helpe nor aide any that should come against him, vpon paine that wée should make him warres: and of all this, there were suffi­cient,The order that vvas giuen to Vincente Sodre, at the departure of the Cap­taine ge­nerall frō Cananor. great and lawfull writings made on all parts. After this, the Captain generall sent Vincente Sodre to go along the Coast, and to kéepe the same vntill Februarie. And if in the meane while there were any newes or knowledge of any lykelihood of warres, betwéene the King of Coching & the King of Calycut, that then he shoulde Winter there in Coching: but if not, that then he should go to the straights of the red Sea, to take such ships of Meca, as doe passe to the Indias.

This being dispatched, and those thrée shippes laden with that they should haue, they departed toward Portin­gale with thirtéene shippes, the twentith daye of Decem­ber, in the yeare of our Lord 1503. and so arriued with all their ships at Monsanbique.

[Page 107] And for that the ship that Steuen de la Gama went in had a great leake, he commaunded the same to be vnladen and brought a ground, and after that she was newlye rigged, they departed. And within seauen dayes after, there fell a great leake in the ship y^t Lewis Cotine was in, & for that it was in such a place that they could not come by it, they were therefore driuen with all the Fléete to retourne to Monsanbique, to new rigge the same. Now the winde was scant, they were faine to remaine in a certeine créeke, vntill she was finished, and afterwarde they retourned to their voyage,They vvere dis­persed by a tempest and at the Cape of the Correntes they were so ouertaken with stormes which came sodeinly, and with such a force vpon them, and that against them, that they were forced to stay there with all the Fléete. The ship that Steuen de la Gama went in did beare vp onely with her fore saile, and his sprit Saile all to torne, by reason wher­of he lost the companie of the whole Fléete, and was no more séene. And within sixe dayes after that the Captaine Generall arriued at Lishborne, shée came in also with her Mast broken. This storme being past from this Cape of the Currents, the Captaine Generall followed his course toward Lishborne, where he arriued the first day of Sep­tember. All the noble men of the Court went as farre as Cascaes to receiue and accompanie him till he came to the king. He had going before him his Page, which carryed a Bason of siluer, within the same was layde all the tribute which the king of Quiloa had paide. Béeing come where the king was, his grace honourably receiued him, according as he did deserue, who had done him so great seruice, as it was to discouer the Indias, and to leaue setled Factoryes in Coching, and in Cananor, which things must néeds re­dound vnto the king to most certeine gaine and profit, be­sides the great fame and honour which he got therby, in be­ing the first king that had sent to discouer the East partes, whereof he might make conquest, if so be that it pleased him. So in satisfaction the king made him Admerall of the Indias, and also gaue him the title of Lord of Vydegue­ro, [Page] which was his owne.

Of the newes that were giuen out in Coching, how the king of Calycut put himselfe in a rea­dinesse for the warres, and how Vincente So­dre wold not succour him, but went to the cape of Quardafum. Chap. 50.

AS soone as the king had knowledge that y^e Captaine general was depar­ted toward Portingale, he immedi­atly determined to put his warres in execution, which he had signified to y^e king of Coching before. And so he marched toward the village of Panane, where he beganne to ioyne his power, which was immediatly knowne vnto all those of Coching, for that it was not far of. Wherfore the dwellers there were wonderfully afeard, saieng, that they had cause so to be, for that the king of Co­ching did all things contrarie to iustice and equitie. And since he did the same vnto those that are of his sect, and all most naturally borne with him, why should he not doe the like vnto the christians which are our enimies? And for that God doth well perceiue the iust quarrell the king of Calycut hath to make him warres, that he will therefore aide and succour him therein,Both commons & noble mē repine a­gainst theyr king and our men. vpon the charges of those that are innocents thereof. This they did not onelye tell our men, but also in euery place they railed at them, and en­deauoured to procure as much hurt as they coulde against them.

Some of them also that were in credite with the king, and ought vs no great good will, did openlye saye, that if so bée that the king of Calycut did come with a grea­ter power then they hadde, they would immediatlye deli­uer [Page 108] our men vnto him, since the warres were begunne in respect of vs and for our sakes, they did put in hazarde the losse of their kingdome. The king meruailing much of the boldnesse of his subiects, aunswered them with louing wordes, saieng that they had offended him verie sore with theyr vaine speach, assuring them, that if so bee that the king of Calycut woulde come and séeke him out, yet hée woulde notwithstanding defende himselfe, onely for that hée well knoweth, that God will fauour him, for his iust dealing in defending those christians, as he had taken vp­pon him to doe. But for all this his subiects coulde not bée well pacified, whereof some were desirous to set vppon our men, but yet they durst not, for that the king had allowed them a gard to attend vppon them, and also appointed a strong place for their lodging. Vpon this, there came newes that Vincente Sodre was come to Coching, who had left greate hurt done along the coast of Calicut, both by water and by land.

Of whose comming all our men were very glad, for that they were before in great daunger. But the Factor perceiuing that they came not a land, sent the Captaine ge­nerall word by Laurenco Moreno, the certeintie they heard of the warres, which the king of Calycut was minded to make vppon the king of Coching, and where hée was at that present in a readinesse for the same.The Cap­tain generall excu­seth him­selfe for deling on the lande. Requesting him on his behalfe, and requiring him in the name of the king of Portingale, that he woulde forthwith disimbarke him­selfe, for that with his béeing in Coching they were certein they should remaine conquerours, yéelding sufficient reason for the same, & otherwise that they were in greate daun­ger. The Generall aunswered, that he was appointed for Captaine Generall of the Sea, and not of the lande, and did therefore remaine in the Indias, onelye to kéepe the seas.

Neuerthelesse if so bée that the king of Calycut had prepared his warres against the king of Coching, by sea, he would haue defended him, but since it was by lande, [Page] he had nothing to doe withall, but to suffer the king to de­fend himselfe, for that he would depart to discouer the redde Sea. The Factor vpon this determinate answere, did once more send vnto him, requiring him on Gods behalfe, and the king of Portingales that he would not leaue them so, for that the king of Cochings power was but small to de­fend himselfe withall, in these warres against the king of Calicut, who had begun the same onely and for none other cause, but to destroy our Factorie. And therfore he as Cap­taine Generall of the king of Portingale, This generall cap­taine had other matters of more profit in hand. was bound for to defend him, and that this was the principall cause why he remained in the Indias. But for all this the Gene­ral would not tarrie, and so he departed with the rest of his Fléet toward the Cape de Quardafum, where he did well knowe that he shoulde take sundrye rich prises. This was that which he did better remember, then to stay and defend the king of Coching or the king of Portingales Factorie.

How the king of Calicut signified vnto his noble men, & all such as did assist him, the causes why he made this warre against the king of Coching. And how the Prince Nabeadarni was hee, that onely spake against the same. chap. 50.

AFter that the king of Calycut was come to Panane, thether also came presentlye sundry noble men his subiects and others his friends whome he had sent for to aide and succour him in this enterprise. Others there were that came before they were sent for: For as soone they heard that the warres were be­gun, and that for our sakes that remained in Coching (of the which they were all glad) hoping therby to hunt vs out of the Indias, & therfore they came with the better good wil to séeke the destruction of the king of Coching. There were also of his owne subiects that arose against him, and some [Page 109] of his nobilitye, as the Caimall of Chirapipill, and hée of Cambalane, and also he of the greate Iland which is ouer against Coching, who carryed with them all the power that they were able to make. And béeing come into the presence of the king of Calycut, he spake vnto them all.

IF that good workes doe engender friendshippe,The king of Calicut signifieth the cause vvhy hee begin­neth to make these vvarres a­gainst the king of Coching. amon­gest men, then I, and you for my sake, and generally all the Malabars ought to beare the same greatly vnto the Moores, for that it is well knowne, that it is sixe hundred yeare since they came into the Prouince of Malabar, and in all this time, yea, to this daie, there was neuer anie that euer receiued at theyr handes anye hurt or losse. But ha­uing no sooner receiued straungers newly come into anye of our Countries, immediatlye we receiue losse by them, wheresoeuer they doe beginne to settle theyr trade. But the Moores doe trade with the people with all friendship, and loue, ‘as ought to doe one naturall neighbour with an other, by whose meanes the Countrey hath béene al­wayes well prouided of much victualls and merchaun­dise, which hath béene a cause to enrich our Townes; and that our rents are greatly increased, in especiall within this our Citie. For whilest the Moores are héere resident, they haue made the same the greatest mart Towne that is in all the Indias.’

‘For this cause I am bounde in conscience, and haue greate reason to fauour them, and to mislyke of the chri­stians which to my greate hinderaunce, yea, and against my good will, settle in my lande, more for to take the same, and to destroye mée, then to bring mée anye profite or gaines as the Moores doe, hauing giuen of themselues greate shewes and signes thereof within these few daies, that they were héere: as in taking of my Captaine Ge­nerall, and my Embassadour prisoners, in making of new lawes in my Citie, to lade their shippes first, and before the Moores shuld lade. And vpon this they tooke an occasion to staye a certeine Shippe of the Moores, which was the [Page] cause, that the Moores did as you doe heare, and as I maye iudge by the sequeale thereof, was so ordeined of God for theyr pride, of the which hée was in no fault. Yet this not­withstanding, they burnt ten of my shippes which lay with­in my harbour.’

‘After all this, they with theyr Ordinance destroyed my Citye, so that I was driuen to runne awaye out of my pal­laice. Not contented with this, they burnt me other two shippes, which they woulde not haue done if so be that they had come to settle a trade. But first of all since they found themselues agréeued, they shoulde haue come and made theyr complaint to mée of the Moores, and tarryed till I had punished them, and not to doe as they haue done, by which it was apparant, that they are théeues and no Merchants, as they name themselues to be, that vnder this coulour, they might conquere the whole Countrie. Which things the king of Coching would neuer vnderstand nor giue credit vnto, although I sent him worde. And being as he is, my subiect, & wel vnderstanding what they had done vnto mée, yet he would not but receiue them, & giue them lading for their ships, and now he hath giuen them a factorie, I sen­ding him word and praieng him many times that he wold not consent therevnto. For this cause therfore I haue sent for you, that you should ioyne your selues. And also to re­quest you to tell me your opinions, whether I haue reason to reuenge my selfe or no?’

This determination to them all séemed verie good,Heere this enterprise vvas vvell liked of by his noble men & others▪ and they praised his purposed intent, but principally the Lord of Repelyn, forsomuch as hée was a greate enimie to the king of Coching, for that he had vsurped an Iland of his called Arraul: also of the selfe same opinion were other principall Moores. But against this his pretended iourney spake the kings brother called Nambeadarin, which was the onely heire to the Kingdome after the death of his bro­ther: who immediatlye in the presence of them all sayde.

[Page 110] THE kindred that is betwéene thée and mée,The aun­swere vvhich y^• prince made to y^• foresayde Oration. be­side sundrie other thinges, may certifie thée that I do desire more thine honour and profit, then anye that bée héere present, and therefore my councell ought to be of a more efficacie then anye others. For as they are not so greatlye bound to giue thée the same as I am, ‘so as it appeareth they doe feede thy humour, and councell thée according to thy will, since thou art desirous to accept it, and not according to good reason, which thou hast to leaue it. But if so bée that they without flatterye, and thou without passion, wouldest iudge or weigh the cause of these Christians, thou shouldest finde, that vnto this present time they haue giuen thée no cause, but that they should be well receiued into thy Countrie, and so into all the Prouince of Malabar, and not to hunt them foorth lyke théeues, which they cannot bée called, although they were present. And forasmuch as from all the places of the worlde, men doe resorte hether, and assemble them­selues to buye those Merchaundise which they haue not in theyr Countryes, and bring those hether which we haue not héere.’

‘In the same sorte come these Christians, and as the cu­stome is of Merchauntes, they brought thée in their kings behalfe, the richest present that thou diddest yet euer re­ceiue. And besides theyr merchandise they brought much Golde and siluer made in coine, which they doe not vse to bring which come to make warres. And if so bée they hadde come in anye such sorte, they woulde not haue dis­simuled the running awaye that the Pleadges offered vnto them whome thou doest call Embassadours, that were kepte in Prison, for that theyr Captaine was a Lande.’

‘But they reconciling themselues vnto thée, went and tooke the shippe at thy request in the which was the greate Elephant, and afterward did present thée therwith, and with all that the same ship carried: besides, those that are théeues [Page] doe not vse so to doe, nor yet paye so well, nor vse so much truth as they did, for all the time that they were in Caly­cut, there was none that did complaine of them, but onely the Moores, which they did, for that they are their enimies, and being mooued with enuy to sée them pertakers of their profite, did accuse them that they hadde taken greate store of Pepper from the owners against theyr wills, they themselues béeing those that vse the same, and for that the Christians shoulde not benefite themselues by lading of theyr ships. And forasmuch as this was so apparant, thou gauest them license to take theyr fraight, by the which li­cense, the Captaine sent to the shippe of the Moores, which was laden, and they béeing in all the whole fault, did yet notwithstanding rise against them. These men then haue done as it is well knowne to the world, and yet for all this as quiet men ought to doe, they tarryed all one daye to sée whether thou woldest excuse thy selfe. But they séeing that there came none from thée,’ they did then put in execution the reuenge,The exe­cution of y^e pledges defended by the kings brother not traiterously as the Moores doe, which went not to defend the ships, although now they speake with a stout stomacke, and councell thée to make these warres a­gainst the king of Coching, for that he did receiue them in­to his Citie, where no iust cause is at all. For his recei­uing of them, it is not to be iudged that it is to hinder thée: ‘but he receiued them as he would anye other merchaunt that would haue come to his harbour. After the selfe same sort did the king of Cananor, and the king of Goulan deale with them, who would not haue admitted them if they had knowne them to bée théeues. If thou bée minded to banish them out of the Indias, and for this cause art determined to make warre against the king of Coching: it is requisite also thou make warre against the king of Cananor, for from thence they may doe that which thou fearest they wil from Coching. But I will not let to tell thée, that thou do­est aduenture thy selfe against him. For that as thou thin­kest he is of lesse power then the king of Cananor.’

[Page 111] These words were spoken by Nambeadarin, with such a stomacke and so lyberally to the King, that they were by him well taken: In one respect, for that he was a very va­lyaunt Gentleman, and in another, for that he was with him in great credit and authoritie. And for this cause they hadde him in great reputation: Insomuch, that if the Moores and Caymayles had not shewed themselues verye stout against him, the King woulde not haue gone forward with his enterprise to make wars against the King of Co­ching. The Mores ouerthrovv the credit of y^e kings brothers Oration. Howbeit, they stood vppon their reputation so much, that they thought it would be a great imbasing to their cre­dite, in especially hauing assembled so great a power as the King had done, and not to goe forward, or at the least to do some what afore they did retourne. By meanes whereof, it was possible, that the King of Coching hearing of theyr comming, would now doe that for feare, which hée would not otherwise doe before, béeing prayed. After all this, the King of Calycut would néedes know of his Witches, what daye was good to march forward in with his Armie, who appointed him a fortunate one, and promised him the victory against the King of Coching, and that as yet there would come vnto him more men. With this certainetie, which the Witches had comforted the King withall, which he much trusted vpon, he departed toward the Countrey of Repelyn, which is foure leagues from Coching.

¶Of the great feare that our men were in, least the King of Coching would haue deliuered them to the King of Calycut. Cap. 52.

OF all this, whatsoeuer hadde past, was the King of Coching aduertised, by sundry es­pyes which he had in the Campe of y^e king of Calycut: and therefore he stoode some­what in feare of him, for that he hadde not sufficient men to defend himselfe, forasmuch as all those that he hoped had fauoured him, were tourned a­gainst [Page] him: yea, euen those that were his owne subiectes, whome if he hadde on his side, he had bene sure to haue giuen the King of Calycut the ouerthrow. Therefore, for that he had but few men, he was greatly afeard thereof, and the rather,The very sight of our men abhorred in Co­ching for that of those there, the most part serued him against their will, in especially they that were dwellers in Coching, which did abhorre y^e very sight of our men, where vpon they openly spake it, that it were good that the King of Coching should deliuer our men to the king of Calycut, or els that he put them out of Coching, and so he might ac­quite himselfe of these warres. Moreouer, there were many of the inhabitants of Coching, that ranne their wayes, and left their houses, and all for feare of this warre. Our men also on the other parte were gretly afearde to sée this tu­mult, which gaue them occasion to waye the daunger that they wer in, for all that the king did warrant them. Wher­fore the Factor fearing the successe thereof, procured ly­cense of the King to goe to Cananor, hoping that there, they should be very quiet, vntill such time the fléete should come from Portingale, thinking that the King by this meanes, should breake vp those warres, that were pretended against him, and also his Subiectes be the better contented there­with.

But at those words the King séemed to be in heauines,The aun­svvere vvhich the king of Coching made to the factor & tolde the Factor, that now it appeared very well, that he had but small confidence in him, that he would aske him license to depart, and therfore he told him he would giue him none: but rather requested him earnestly not to haue any such mi­strust, for he there gaue him his worde, and it stoode him so much vpon his credite, in preseruing them all alyue, that he would rather loose his Kingdome and lyfe withall, then de­lyuer them to the King of Calycut, or to other that should doe them any harme. And if so be that his euill Fortune were so great that he should loose Coching, yet there would not lacke a place of sufficient strength to sende them vnto, vntill the comming of the next Fléete from Portingale to the Indias.

[Page 112] And although sayd he, the king of Calycut shoulde come with a great power, yet for all that he is not assured of the victory: for it is séene many times that few with valyant hearts,Fevve ha­uing the right on their side, preuayle most times a­gainst nūbers that come in an euill cause. doe giue the ouerthrowe vnto great numbers with­out strength: much more hauing as I haue, Iustice & equi­tie on my side. And therefore he willed them to be quyet, & to pray vnto their God to giue him y^e victory. With these words, knowing well that the King did speake them with a louing minde, our men remained somewhat eased of the feare wherein they were, and would haue kissed his hands, but he would not suffer them so to doe, nor yet woulde a­grée that they should helpe him in his warres, which they did offer him to do, but aunswered them, that he would not place them in anye such daungerous place, for that it stoode vpon his credite so much to kéepe them alyue. And for that they should remaine as witnesses, how much he did trauell to saue their lyues, therefore from thencefoorth he committed the kéeping of them vnto certayne Nayres, such as he had a confidence in.

And that this mutenie might cease, and they from thence foorth not haue anye occasion to murmure against our men, he commaunded to be called afore him all his Noble men, such as were with him, and also certaine of the principall Nayres, which were the occasion of all this trouble, & spake vnto them after this manner.

I Cannot but be verye heauie,The king of Co­chings O­ration to his noble men. to sée so lyttle truth re­mayne in you: For I meruayle nothing at all at the rusticall sorte of men, whome oftentimes their pouertie enforceth to vse all kinde of villanye. But of you, I doe greatlye meruayle that are Nayres, that haue bene alwaies true in your dealyngs, that you now would haue me break my worde and promise, ‘that I haue alreadye giuen to the Captayne Generall, concerning these Christians, which was to kéepe his men to the vttermost of my power, and to looke that no man shoulde doe them anye harme or vyolence, but alwayes for to haue as good a regarde [Page] vnto them as vnto mine owne naturall subiects. And there­fore he left them in this my Citie, which was done also by your consents. And since you doe perceiue, that the King of Calycut hath a fewe more men then I, ye would perswade me to doe contarry to my promise: so that if I were of so ill a nature as you would haue me to be, then ought you of all other to abhorre me, and crye out vpon me. Be ye héere­in your owne Iudges, If you remained with anye other King vpon his word, would you allow that as well done in him, which you would haue me doe, by these Christians? In especiall, counting him as we account of this man, for our enimy, hauing none occasion so to be, as the King of Ca­licut: and I your King, hauing no occasion to deliuer you, as I haue none to delyuer these Christians? Which, since it is so, what is the councell that ye minde to giue me héer­in,’ that may not be reprhended in another? If it be for that you are afeard of the King of Calycut, It is bet­ter to dye vvith ho­nor, then to lyue vvith the infamous name of a rude and lieng Prince. then know this, that it were better to dye an honourable death then to liue with dishonour, then which there cannot happen greater to mée, then to breake my word, nor yet more infamie vnto you, then to be subiects to a rusticall and a false King, in especiall against these Christians, who haue brought me so great pro­fite as they haue done. And as for the King of Calycut, hée well knoweth that if he wold haue consented that the Fac­torie might haue bene setteled in his Citie, he might haue ‘kept them in his Countrey. But now because they are gone he mooueth these warres, the rather, for that hée well knoweth my power is but small, and therfore mindeth to reuenge on me the losse he hath receiued. If his meaning be none other, then to hunt these Christians out of the Indias, and to fight with him, whosoeuer receiueth them into his Countrey, why then doth he not beginne his warres first with the King of Cananor? But that is not the occasion onely, but the enuie which he hath to sée me benefited, and for that with his pride he supposeth, that I am not able to resist him. All this doe I very well vnderstand, and moreo­uer I doe receiue comfort in preseruing of these Christians, [Page 113] hoping in God, that he therefore will giue me the victory a­gainst him. And as touching you that are my friends, I pray you therefore to stand to me.’

Now all that were present héereby, séeing this his deter­mination, meruailed greatlye at his constancie, and craued pardon at his hands for the feare they found themselues to be in before, promising all of them to lyue and dye in his seruice: for the which he gaue them heartie thankes. Im­mediately after this, he commaunded the Factor to be cal­led with the rest of our men, vnto whom he tolde all what he had done, and in their presence named for Captaine gene­rall,The kings bro­ther made general of the field, and armie▪ the Prince Naramuhin his brother, and next inheritor to the Crowne, & commaunded euery man to obey him, in as ample manner, as his owne person. His charge was set downe, that he should march forward with fiue thousande fiue hundred Nayres, & entrench himselfe hard by the Foord, by which waye he knew for most certaine, that the King of Calycut was determined to enter into y^t Iland of Coching: whereas at an Ebbe, the water commeth vp but to the knées.

¶How the Prince of Calycut made offer sundrye times to enter into the Iland of Coching, by this Foord, and how he was resisted by the Prince of Coching. Chap. 53.

NOw the King of Calycut hauing notice, that Naramuhin had pitched his royall Ar­mie hard by this Foord, to resist thereby his entraunce into Coching, he was somewhat feared therewith: in especiall for that hée knew the foresaid Prince, to be one of the valiantest Gentlemen, that was accompted off in all that Prouince of Malabar, & the most fortunate in wars. Some­what therefore for this feare, more then for anye good will that he ought to the King of Coching, to vse any kinde of courtesie towards him, he sent him this letter.

[Page] I Haue trauailed as much as I could to excuse this war with thée,The king of Caly­cuts letter to y^e king of Co­ching▪ if so be that thou woldest temper thy pride, & doe y^• which I haue requested thée, being as it is, so iust, ne­cessary and profitable vnto vs all. And for that this our fal­ling out might goe no further, I giue thée to vnderstande, ‘that I am come to Repelyn with a great power for to en­ter thy Country, & there to take those Christians which are with thée, withall their Merchandize: yet notwithstanding, I will first aduertise thee, that my desire is, that thou doe sende them vnto me, which if thou wilt doe, then will I for­get the enuie and hatred I haue conceiued against thée for that which is past, whereas otherwise, I haue promised to take thy Countrey from thée, & put all those that are dwel­lers there,’ to the sword.

Although now the King of Coching had very great lack of men, and did well perceiue that it might come so to passe, as the King of Calycut had written vnto him. Neuerthe­lesse, he neuer meant to moue his determination, but did aunswere after this manner.

IF thou hadst demaunded of me after a ciuill order,The aun­svvere which the king of Coching made to the fore­said letter▪ & with louing wordes, that which thou doest commaund with so great a pride, I would not haue indged thée of lesse valour, then that thou thinkest I might take thée to be off: For where there is wisedome or strength, there is no discurtesie shewed by meanes of ill bringing vp. These be things that God is not pleased withall: neither yet haue I so offended him, that I should consent so much to my losse, ‘or think that the victory should not be mine and these valyant mens that are with me. Thou shalt be welcome with all thy pride, and I verely beléeue, that with these few which I haue, ouer and beside my iust quarrell, shall suffice to defend me from thée, and other mine enimies. Thou shalt neuer finde mée so weake, that I will doe anye thing with such shame as thou demaundest. And if so be, that thou hast vsed to ac­custome thy selfe to such deceiptes, so it is: I did neuer vse [Page 114] the same, nether yet will I accustome my selfe so to doe. Touching the Christians, or any part of their goods, make thou no reckoning, for that I doe minde to defende the same. Therefore to bée short, sende me no more messen­gers.’

With this aunswere was the King of Calycut so of­fended, that he sware he woulde destroye all, and reuenge himselfe vppon the King of Coching. And therefore foorth­with hée departed from Repelyn the last daye of March, and entered into the Lande of the King of Coching, in the which he did no hurt, for that the Lordes of that soyle were all in his fauour. And on the seconde daye of Aprill, bee­ing come néere vnto this Foorde where Naramuhin was intrenched,The Calicutians repulsed frō passing ouer the Foorde. some of the King of Calycuts Captaynes had great hope through the multitude of theyr men which they had with them, to giue the onset, with determination to passe the Foorde: but it was so manfullye defended, that they retired with the losse of many.

Whervpon the King of Calycut tooke this for an ill be­ginning: but for all that, after that hée had pitched his Campe, he sent the next daye the Lorde of Repelyn with as manye more men as there was the daye before, and sun­drye Paraos by water, supposing that then he woulde passe ouer this Foorde. But it chaunced farre otherwise, and they mist at that time of theyr purpose, for that Naramu­hin as yet did valyauntlye defende the same with a stout courage.

At this present, were with him Laurenso Moreno, with other more our men, which shewed themselues lyke valyaunt Gentlemen, as before time they hadde done in diuers other Battayles, which the aforesayde Prince Naramuhin hadde with his Enimies, in the which hée had alwayes the victorye,Incōstan­cie [...]n the king of Calycut noted. with the losse of many of their men. When the King of Calycut perceiued his losse, and bée­ing now, as hée euer was, inconstant and fearefull, hée euen repented himselfe, that euer hée did beginne these warres.

[Page] For he thought that immediately vpon his comming to this Foord, he should haue passed the same. Wherefore he sent a­gaine another messenger to the King of Coching, that hée foorthwith should send vnto him those Christians: who an­swered, that since he would not delyuer them before time, when as he had occasion somwhat to feare his power, what shall he thinke he would doe now, when he hath the aduan­tage? But he aduertised him to looke well vnto himselfe, for that now he would not be contented onely with defending his Countrey,A stout stomacke of a prince▪ but hoped to giue him y^e ouerthrow: which indéed had taken effect, if so be that his vntrue subiects, had not forsaken him. With this aunswere the King of Caly­cut remained in some feare, and indéed without any hope of victory, if so be that it had not bene for his owne souldiers, which gaue him councell to send to ouerun certaine townes of Coching, which lay hard thereabouts, he would haue left the warres. Which had the sooner bene finished, if Naramu­hin had not bene driuen to send to succour those Townes, with some of his men. The king thought y^e by this meanes remaining there but with the fewer, his strength shoulde be thereby diminished.

But this pollicie was preuented by Naramuhin, who had a meruailous forecast to foresée such innouations. And for all this he furnished all places, where it was requisite, in such sort, as though himselfe had bene there present. And notwithstanding all this, the King of Calycut lost manye of his men.

How Naramuhin Prince of Coching, was slaine by treason, which the King of Calycut practised: and also how the King of Co­ching receiued the ouerthrowe, and was dri­uen to go to Vaypin for succour, and caried with him all our men. Chap. 54.

[Page 115] THE king of Calicut séeing that his Cap­tains could not passe through that forde to encounter with Naramuhyn, he forthwith practised how he might passe the same by some pollicie.Treason practised against y^e prince Naramuhim▪ For the which intent he se­cretly vsed conference with the paye mai­ster of those Nayres which Naramuhyn had in his campe, and agreed vpon this, that there should be no paiment sent to the Campe, as before he was wont to send daily, but that they should go to Coching to receiue the same there. And for his reward that he should consent thervnto, he sent him a great present. By this meanes therefore Naramuhyn re­maining alone and vnfurnished, his enimyes might passe the sayd ford the better. This being agréed vpon, the paye­maister according to his promise, sent worde to the Cap­taine, that all such Nayres as were in wages with the king of Coching, should come and fetch their wages, for that hée could not send it them as before time. The Nayres hauing license of Naramuhym, he charged them to retourne afore day, who promised him so to doe, howbeit they coulde not come, for that their paiment was delaied, till it was broad day: and thus whilest they were in Coching, the king of Ca­licut entered the ford with his whole power both by lande and by sea, and with much ordinance, and the whilest that Naramuhim remained thus alone, the king of Calicuts pow­er grew to be greater then euer it was before. Then gaue he the onset, at the which Naramuhin was driuen to retire vnto certeine Palme trées, where ioyned vnto him all his men that he had left, he cast them into one squadron, which being as they were but few, did oftentimes break the aray of their enimies, with the which there were many slaine. But as Naramuhins power was but small,Prince Naramuhim and his povver ouer­throvvne. so they were compassed round about. And after that he had done manye notable acts, he was ouerthrowne, both he and two cousins of his which ther also very valiant gentlemen, with sundry others. Thus was he and all his slaine which remained in [Page] the field. The king of Calycut would not followe the chase of those that ranne awaie, for that it was night, for so long the battaile indured. Ther were many of the enimies slaine also.

This newes béeing brought to the king of Coching, hée was therewith a while as it were beside himselfe, and almost of euery man taken for dead, in especial of our men that were present. Those Nayres that were our mens kée­pers made no account of them, for that they had inough to doe to succour the king. When this ouerthrow was spread abroade, partly for the ill will which they ought our men, they sayde that they were the cause of Naramuhins death and the others, & that the king was not able to deli­uer them from death. With this, the king returned to him­selfe, and began to wéepe, and spake sundry wordes, which our men did not vnderstand,Comfortable vvords of a prince▪ for that his remembrance was as it were taken from him, so that being hard by him; hée sawe vs not, but at length he asked for vs, with that our men drew néere toward him, who made vs also to wéepe, onely to sée him in that agonie. And being fully come vnto himselfe, he willed them in anye case not to feare, neither yet to doubt that this mischance should haue any such pow­er, as to make him chaunge from that which he hadde al­wayes promised. For which words they would haue kis­sed his hands, but he would not consent therevnto, and hearing the sturre that his men made against ours, he sayd vnto them.

NOw that Fortune doth shew her selfe froward against me,The kings Oration made vn­to his subiects a­bout the losse of his king­dome. I had thought that as true friends and louing sub­iects ye wold haue trauelled to giue me héerein some com­fort. But ye are desirous to followe and serue the king of Calycut, which as often as I doe remember, it doubleth my paine for the death of the Prince my brother, and my Cousins, and since you also are against the Christians, ‘whome I haue so oftentimes in commended vnto you, you doe well knowe, that it will bée much more griefe [Page 116] vnto mée, that they at your handes shoulde receiue anye hurt (then I haue alreadie receiued for the death of my kinsmen, since they lyke true subiectes dyed in my de­fence) and you are desirous to persecute those whome I haue receiued vnder my protection, and such as remaine with mée for my comfort. It were a harde matter for me to perswade my selfe that this ouerthrowe happened vnto mée, for dooing vnto these men as I ought to doe. Doe you not iudge so, for I will not beléeue that they were the cause, neither yet for that I doe fauour them, therefore God doth fauour the king of Calycut against mée.Ouer­throvvs in vvar sent of God vnto princes for their of fences. It is not so, but for that I haue offended him otherwise: I am very glad that there hath béene this occasion giuen, that I might receiue condigne punishment, and that the King of Calicut might bée the onelye executor of his iustice. And that also for all other offences that I haue done, I might bée punished by him in séeking my destruction, the rather for that I doe kéepe my promise with these Christians, in especiall béeing as wée bée, so much bounde vnto them. Therefore weie well this cause, and let it not sinke into your mindes, that for vsings clemencie to these Christi­ans, and for defending them I receiue this punishment, neither yet that the King of Calycut hath power to ouer­throwe my power which I canne make, and destroye me altogether, although that nowe hée driueth mée out of Co­ching.’

‘The Fléete of the Christians will not tarrye long, and then the Generall will restore vnto mée againe my Kingdome. In the meane space lette vs goe to the Ilande of Vaypin, which is strong, and for that the Winter is at hande, I trust in God wée shall escape the King of Ca­licut. And since my losse is farre more then yours, I com­fort my selfe with this, requesting you to doe the lyke, &: not to be an occasion to renue my troubles with this your mutinie.’

They séeing the greate constancie of theyr King,‘[Page] meruailed much thereat, and immediatlye did quiet them­selues and promised him that they would do that which hée had commaunded, and so they did. The constancie of y^e king was so great, that whereas once more the king of Calycut sent him word, that if so be that he would deliuer our men vnto him, he would presently leaue the warres, yet he wold not consent therevnto, but sent him word againe, that since that he had gotten the victorie more by treason, then by va­liantnesse, for if so be that valure had bene vsed, his brother and cousins had not died, but they were betraied by those that faine would kill him also. He did not passe for Coching it selfe, but hoped that those Christians which he looked for euery day, who restore him vnto it again, & likewise reuēge his quarrell. This aunswere being come to the king of Ca­lycut, he commaunded to destroye the whole countrie with fire and swoord, which commaundement being once known, the feare was so great amongst the inhabitants of Coching that the most part of them ranne away,The inhabitants of Coching flye for feare of the king of Calicut▪ & with them went two Milanesis, which were Lapidaries, that remained with the Factor, which vpon the King of Portingale commaun­dement were brought thether by Vasco de la Gama: the one of these was called Ioan Marya, and the other Pedro Antonio. Those did discouer vnto the king of Calycut the feare that the dwellers of Coching were in of him, & how that dayly they came awaie. They also did offer the king to make him ordinance, and afterward they made him some as it shall appeare in the sequeale of the historie. The king of Calycut made verie much of this Milanesis, & gaue them greate rewards, to the ende therby he might winne them to make him more ordinance: and hauing certein knowledge, how few people were left in Coching, & what feare those that remained were in, and how few men the king had to defend himselfe, he put his men in a readinesse to take the same.’ The king of Coching carrieng some of our men in his companie, went to méet with the king of Calycut, wher­as that daie he behaued himselfe that it was wonder to sée. Neuerthelesse for all that the enimies being verye many, [Page 117] and the king somewhat hurt, he was faine to retire, and for that he durst not tarrie another battaile, he therefore re­paired vnto another Iland called Vaypin, The king of Co­ching is faine to flye and leaue his citie. which is right ouer against Coching, and is verie strong, to the which he carried with him all our men, and all the Factorie, so that there was nothing lost. The Citie béeing thus disinhabi­ted, the king of Calycut commaunded the same to be setts a fire. After this he sent his men to enter the Ilande of Vaypin, which for that our men and others did defend it with greate valour, and for that the Winter was at hand, and stormes of foule weather did beginne, the king of Ca­lycut was driuen of force to giue ouer, and to leaue the warres, and so went to Grangalor, with determination to returne vpon the same Ilande at the spring. For the which cause he commaunded to be made manye trenches about Coching, and left many of his men to kéepe the same.

How Vincente Sodre and Blas Sodre were cast a­waie at Curia Muria, and what the other Cap­taines did afterward. chap. 55.

VIncente Sodre with his Fléete béeing de­parted from the harbour of Coching, with­out hauing any respect to succour the king, or those that remained in the Factorie, but woulde needes goe towarde the kingdome of Cambaia, to take such rich ships of the Moores as come from y^e red sea to Calycut. Vpon the same coast he tooke by y^• helpe of other Captains fiue ships, in the which onely in ready money there was found two hundred thousand Perdaos. The most part of the Moores wer slaine in the battaile, and their ships burnt. From thence he kept his course toward certein Ilands called Curia Muria, which stood a seaboord the Cape of Quardafum, where hée thought good to bring his ships a ground, which were all open. [Page] He arriued there the twentéeth of Aprill in the yere of our Lord.1503 The familiaritie & securitie of y^e inha­bitants of the Iland of Curia Muria. 1503. And although all those Ilandes were great­lye inhabited by the Moores, yet he would venture a land, y^e rather for that the dwellers in that Iland were no men of war, so that with the onely feare they stoode in of our men, they gaue them good interteinment, selling vnto them such victualls as they had, and did conuerse in their companie.

Vincente Sodre hauing brought a Caruell a grounde, therevpon the Moores tooke occasion to tell him, that in the moneth of Maye, there came alwayes such a torment or storme out of the North, that no ships doe remaine there, but are driuen a lande. And therefore such as knowe the same, doe immediatly auoide the daunger, willing him like­wise so to doe, and to remoue himselfe on the other side of the Ilande, which will be a defence for them, and when the storme is past they may returne without feare. But he not making account of their words, but rather iudging y^t they meant to do him some displeasure, wold not go from thence but aunswered them that their ships had Ankors of wood, that they were driuen so a shore, but his were of yron: and for all that the Moores could perswade him, he wold neuer be remoued. Yet Pedro Raphael, Hernan Rodrigues Ba­darsas, The effect which the torment vvrought amongest their ships in that coast. and Diego Pierres would not tarrie, but on the last day of Aprill they went their waie, and as for Vincente Sodre and his brother, they remained. And when the tor­ment came and began to blow, their ships were driuen on shore, for all their Ankors, and were torne in péeces, in the which there were many men slaine. Amongst these ther di­ed the two brethren, and of the ships was nothing saued, but onely the Captaines that remoued with the Caruell that was brought a ground. The losse of the two brothers was iudged to come by the handie worke of God, for their sins, and for not fauouring the king of Coching, & for lea­uing the Factour with the Factorie of the king of Portin­gale in so greate a daunger. And therefore those that were saued returned toward Coching to succour our men, if hap­pely they had any such néed.

[Page 118] Amongest themselues they appointed for Captaine Ge­nerall Pedro de Tayde, and so they made saile at the ente­ring of Maie. And for that the Winter of the Indias was come, they passed greate stormes, whereby they sawe themselues sundry times in great danger. And for that they could not fall with Coching, therfore they were driuen to winter in Ansadina. Thrée or foure dayes after their cō ­ming thether, there came thether also a shippe from Portin­gale, of the which was captaine a gentleman called Anto­nio delcimpo, who departed alone after Don Vasco dela Gama: his tarrieng was so long by reason y^t his pilot died, by meanes whereof he was driuen to kéep the coast, so that with great trouble & danger he arriued at Ansadina, wher he was driuen to winter, where also they susteined great ne­cessitie for lacke of victualls.

How Francisco de Alburquerque, and Alonso de Albur­querque departed to the Indias, for two captaines ge­neralls of two fleetes: and how they arriued at Co­ching, & did after their comming restore the king of Coching to his kingdome. chap. 56.

IN the yeare of our Lord.1503. 1503. the king of Portingale supposing that the Admiral had left setled the Factorie quietly in Coching & Cananor, The iiii. voiage frō Portingal to the In­dias. & that he should haue no such néed as to send any great fléet. Therfore he determined to send but sixe ships, imparted vnto two Captaines generalls. Of the first there he named for Captaine general a gentleman called Alonso de Albur­querque, which afterward was gouernour of y^e Indias, as héereafter I shall declare in the third booke. These were his Captaines, one called Edwarto Pacheco, of whom I spake before, & Hernan Martines Mascarennas, who they said di­ed in the voiage to Gordo. Of the other thrée he appointed for Captaine general one Francisco de Alburquerque, cou­sin to y^e other Alonso Alburquerque. These following wer his Captaines, Nicholas Coello, one y^t was in y^e discouery of the Indias, and Pedro Vas de la Vega. [Page] This Fléete departed fiftéene daies after Alonso de Albu­querque, and so as well the one as the other, passed in their voyage great stormes, in the which was lost Pedro vas de Lauega, Francisco de Albuquerque, which departed last of all, came first, and before Alonso de Albuquerque, who brought with him Nicholas Coello to Ansadina, who came thether in the month of August, where as yet he found Pe­dro de Taide with their Captaines, which were forced to winter ther. And hauing certeine knowledge of the warres that were published betwéene the king of Calicut and the king of Coching, and all about our men, they went imme­diatly with all the Fléete, which was of sixe sailes to Ca­nanor, for that he would enforme himselfe the better there­of, and what had passed in Coching. At theyr arriuall in Cananor our men were verye glad of theyr comming. The king of Cananor himselfe reioysed so much, that he went to visite the Captaine generall a sea boord, and told him all what perticularly had happened to the king of Coching, and where the king was.

As soone as he knew all this, he immediatly departed toward Coching, to the which place he came on Saterdaie at night, being the second day of September in the selfe same yeare. As soone as his comming was knowne to the king of Coching, ther was great reioysing at the same, not onely of the king & our men,The king of Co­ching reioyceth at the comming of the Portingale fleete. but of all the dwellers in Coching. There were sundrye that at his comming did so reioyce, that they plaied vpon sundrie sorts of instruments, in token thereof. All those that were in theyr trenches by the king of Calycuts commaundement, viewing this great ioye and mirth, and perceiuing wherfore it was, as soone as the night came, ranne their waie to Grangalor, for so the king of Ca­lycut had commaunded them to doe, who also knewe of their comming by the waye of Cananor. Immediatlye on Sundaie in the morning, Francisco de Albuquerque came to an Ankor at the entering of the riuer of Coching. The king hearing of his arriuall, also sent to visite him by the Factor.

[Page 119] On the Munday morning, Francisco de Alburquerque ha­uing left his ships in good order, tooke his boates, being ve­ry well armed, and went in the same vnto Vaypin, & caried with him also two Caruells to succour him, if there should come any Paraos from Calycut. As he went somewhat far off from the Caruells, came after him Edwarte Pachece, who suspecting wherevpon he went, leapt into his boat with some of his men, which came after him, with such hast, hee made with his rowing, that he ouertooke him before he came to Vaypin, where the King of Coching was tarrieng for him along the water side, with as many men as went with him to the Iland.The king of Co­ching ioyfully be holdeth the return of y^e Portingale Fleete. The pleasure was so great of theyr mée­ting, that as soone as the King of Coching had sight of our boates, he began to crye out saieng: Portingale, Portingale, and all those that were with him did the lyke. Our men also out of their boates did aunswere after the selfe same manner, saieng: Coching, Coching, in despite of the King of Calycut. As Francisco de Albuquerque did leape a land, the King of Coching was there ready, and tooke him in his armes, with the teares in his eyes, for excéeding ioye, saying: that his desire was to lyue no longer, but to see himselfe re­stored to Coching, that his Subiectes might well perceiue, how much he was bound to passe so great troubles as hée had past, & all for to serue the King of Portingale. In whose name, the Captaine generall gaue him great thankes, with promise to reuenge his quarrell vpon his enimies. And for his part he gaue him ten thousand crownes to spend, during the time that he did not receiue his rents, and this money was taken out of the Coffer he carried: which gift y^e king of Coching estéemed very much, for that he was very poore. Also his subiects iudged this to be done right liberally as it was noted amongst them all:Liberaly­tie vvin­neth the hearts of the most barbarous & vnfriēdly people▪ and from thencefoorth they thought all to be well bestowed, that the King had done for our men. Foorthwith they carried the King to Coching, where he entered with great glorye, besides the reioycing which his subiects made: and from thenceforth all our men, were amongst them well estéemed. Now it was not long [Page] after that the newes how that the King was retourned to Coching, was brought to the King of Calycuts cares, and of the money that the Captaine generall had giuen him: who seeing that there was likelyhood of wars, sent certain Cay­males into his Countrey to defend the same, for that it ioy­ned vnto the kingdome of Coching.

How Francisco de Alburquerque began the warres against all those that were enimies to the king of Coching: and how the Caymall of the Ilande of Charanaypin was slaine. Chap. 57.

THe King of Coching being put in his pos­sesion, Francisco de Albuerquerque tooke his leaue of him: His entent was, that yet afore night he would partly reuenge him­selfe vpon his enimies. And so he went to the Iland which is ouer against Coching. Now as the inhabitants thereof were somewhat forgetful, and thought not that as that daye he woulde retourne, so therefore did our men set vppon them before they were a­ware, and that vpon such a sodaine, that there were slaine of them a great number, and sundry of their Townes set a fire, and afterward they imbarked themselues without re­ceiuing any harme. And Francisco de Alburquerque going toward his Fléete, met with the King, and tolde him what he had done. The next day after, he returned to the same I­land, to destroy it altogether. He caried with him to y^• num­ber of sixe hundred men, for so many he had, with those that he found in the other two ships, and there went with him al his Captaines: The Caymall of that Ilande was tarrieng for him along the water side, with two thousand Nayres, wherof the most part were bow men, y^• others had speares, swords, and targets. They did all they coulde to kéepe our men from landing, which they did without receiuing anye hurt: and they being galled sore with our Crossebowes, were driuen away.

[Page 120] Our men followed them vnto the other side of the I­lande with so stout a stomacke,The Cay­mal & [...] povver, put to flight by the Por­tingale [...]. that they had no other re­medie but to take the water, leauing behinde them many of their companye slaine and hurte. And our men not hauing with whom to fight, did set fire to all the Townes y^• were in the Ilande, so that the whole Iland was destroyed. The next day following, Erancisco de Alburquerque went to another Iland called Charanaipin, which was belonging to a Caymall, subiect to the king of Coching, who serued in al these warres with the King of Calycut. Concerning whom by certaine spyes that the King of Coching had in that I­land, he vnderstood that he had made himselfe in a readines, to defend himselfe against the Captaine generall, hauing re­die in armes thrée thousand Nayres of the which were sea­uen [...] and fortie with shot, besides all their houses [...] with sundry trenches round about. Also he had by [...] certeine Paraos with Ordinance in the same, which the king of Calycut had giuen him▪ These wer a [...]oat in a certaine harbor, where our men pretended to dis­imbarke themselues: which were there placed, that they shoulde resist our comming into that place, if that it were possible. About this place there was great store of boates, all furnished with Ordinance: but the enimies at the length, were driuen to runne away, so that our men remained qui­etly in the harbour, where there stood in the water, yea, euen vp to their girdles a great number, alwaies [...] our landing,The great valiencye of the Moores, in resist­ing theyr enimies landing. throwing at vs both stones, and sp [...]res, and shooting off their arrowes in great plentie. But as one as our Ordinaunce began to go off, then they desperat [...]ly began to run away and giue place. Howbeit, they [...], did so ioyne themselues together, & that in such sort they gaue our men inough to do to disimbarke themselues for that the same was so valiantly by them resisted.

And for all that our men could doe, they woulde re­uer leaue their olde altogether, but by a [...]wordf [...] and a lyt­tle they retired themselues to their Palme trée or to haue amongst them succour: and there what with the hinderance [Page] that our men found by those trées, they defended themselues a small time. But afterward they ranne awaye, and that without order, so that our men followed them to the vtter­most, in especiall the Constable of Francisco de Alburquer­que, whom they call Pedro de lares, who found himselfe a­lone with thrée Nayres which came toward him. The one of these shot an arrow, which strake him in the breast, and for that he wore a breast plate, it did him no harme. And as the Nayre loosed off his arrow, went off lykewise his shot, and strake the Nayre in the breast, so that he ouerthrewe him, and afterward shot off another péece vpon one of the others that remained, and killed him also. By the third he himselfe was hurte in the legge with a certaine weapon, which they doe call a Gomya, and with the same hée that hurt him would haue run awaye, but at length this Pedro lares, killed him with his sword. Thus all the enimies bée­ing put to flight, Francisco de Alburquerque did then de­termine to march toward the Caymalls house, wher he had gathered together all his force, which was somewhat strong by rea [...]on of certaine trenches that he had made about the same. The Captaines were diuided on both sides of the I­land, and each of them had their men with them, and in the middes of the Iland were placed those of Coching. In this order they went all burning and spoylyng such Townes as there were, and that without any resistaunce. Going in this order, there came certaine Paraos from Calycut on that side of the Ilande which Edwarte Pachecho had the charge off, who for y^t they were many in number did leape a land, & en­counter with y^e foresaid Edwarte Pachecho, & had giuen him the ouerthrowe, (if Francisco de Alburquerque had not bene) who came thether with those that he had in charge. And for that he found greater resistaunce in his Enimyes, then he looked for, and also being somewhat afearde least the Caymall would haue come thether to succour the rest, which if he had so done, would haue put him in daunger: he therefore commanded▪ Nicholas Coello to take with him Antonio del Campo and Pedro de Tayde, and to set vpon [Page 121] the Caymals house,The Cay­mal slaine in defen­ding his house va­lyauntlye▪ who was there slaine in defending him­selfe valyantly. At that time manye more of his companye were both slaine and hurt, the house was lykewise spoyled and ransakt: of our men were hurt eightéene, and one one­ly slaine. In the meane while that this was a doing, Fran­cisco de Alburquerque and Edwarto Pacheco, did put to flight those of the fléete of Calycut, many of them lieng a­long the water side sorely hurt and slaine, the others hadde inough to doe to imbarke themselues in their Paraos, in the which afterward they fled away. And in remembraunce of so great a victory as this was,Knights made af­ter a vali­ant victo­rie. Francisco de Alburquerque made certaine Knights, for that through their manhood the victory was obtained, for of thrée thousand Nayres the Cay­mall had, the least part escaped: and the Iland was all de­stroyed with fire and sword: and thus after this sorte was the King of Coching well reuenged ouer his enimies.

¶Of the warres which Francisco de Alburquerque began to make against the Lord of Repelyn: and how by the King of Cochings license, a Castle was begun to be made called Manuel. Chap. 58.

ALl this being ended, then determined Fran­cisco de Alburquerque to make wars a­gainst the Lord of Repelyn. And to begin the same, he departed with his other Cap­taines in the night toward a towne of his which is foure leagues from Coching, whe­ther he came the next day about eight of the clocke. To re­ceiue him, there were placed along y^e water side welny two thousand Nayres, of the which ther were fiue hundred bow­men. Our men being come within a Base shot of the land, began to shoote off in such sort, that the enimies were dri­uen to giue place, and retire vnto their Palme trées, who being there, did tarie the comming of Francisco de Albur­querque. [Page] He being disimbarked, with the rest of his compa­ny did giue the onset vpon the enimies, hauing Nicholas Coello with his men in the forward, and after him marched the rest of the Captaines. At the first meeting were some of our men hurt with them [...] which they shot standing behinde their Palme trees, which to them were a very good bulwarke. Our men, séeing that as they were, and hauing those trees for their defence, they could not make them to re­moue, did then remoue themselues, and got on the one side of them, shooting at them with their Crossebowes and Calée­uers with the which there were some slaine, and the rest fled away vnto their Townes, after whom our men followed so eagerly, that there was made a great slaughter, yea, farre greater then in the fieldes, for that there they were sperpe­led & héere they tooke them altogether in their stréets, where they might the better deale with them. The Towne being left alone, was immediately set a fire, the spoyle therof was giuen to those Nayres of Coching which went with him: this rewarde Francisco de Alburquerque gaue vnto them, that they shoulde not thinke his comming into the Indias, was to robbe any man, but rather to reuenge such iniuries, as were shewed to the King of Coching.

Now at his returne with this victory, he was ioyfullye receiued at the Kings handes,The king of Coching thinketh him selfe suffi­ciently reuenged of his eni­mies. who requested him, not to trouble himselfe any farther, for that he iudged himselfe to be well reuenged. But he aunswered him, that although his highnes was satisfied, yet he was not satisfied, but re­quested him to giue him yet for her license, for y^t he accoun­ted it not any pains to fight in his seruice. Howbeit he sée­ing y^t the king was contented, did then aske him license to buyld a Fort of timber, forasmuch as after that he wer gone for Portingale, there might remaine the Kinges Factor [...]e­sure and without feare, and all such as shoulde be lefte in the same. And this he declared to be the greatest seruice he coulde doe to the King his Master, to consent there­vnto.

To this request the King aunswered, that his desire [Page 122] was to serue the King of Portingale, Heere the king of Coching g [...]ue li­cense to Francisco Albur­querque to build a Fort in Coching. with a greater mat­ter then that was, for that he must needes confesse, that by his meanes, he was restored vnto his Kingdome of Co­ching againe. And therefore he willed him to make the same, and what els he would: and if that néede were, he woulde commaund it for to bée made at his owne cost and charge.

This license being graunted, with the consent of the other Captaines, it was thought good the same to be made harde by the riuer of Coching, right ouer against the Citie within the lande, for that there it was thought most surest, and from thence they might best resist the comming of the King of Calicuts Fléete. And for that they had neither lime, stone, sande, nor anye other necessaries therevnto, hee was driuen to make the Castle of timber, which the King com­maunded to be cut in great plentie, as well Palme trées, as of other timber. He sent also many of his men for the fur­therance of the worke, saieng, that he would not haue anye of our men to labour, for that as yet the troubles were suf­ficient that they had sustained in the warres past. But for all that, the Captaine generall wold not let, but cause them to worke.

The Captaynes were de [...]ded with theyr men, and be­ganne theyr worke the sixe and twentith of September, in the selfe same yeare 150 [...]. It was a great pleasure to sée, with what diligence our men did labour: insomuch, that it was sayde there, that there were no such men in the worlde againe, as ours were, for that they serued for all ass [...]yes.

¶How the Fort of Coching was made an ende off: and how Francisco de Alburquerque and A­lonso de Alburquerque retourned againe vppon the Lord of Repelyn. Chap. 59.

[Page] FOure dayes after that the Forte was begun, came thether Alonso de Alburquer (que), who by meanes of the great stormes & other foule weather, coulde not come sooner: notwithstanding he brought all his men with him in health, of the which, Francisco de Albur­querque was very glad, and im­mediately departed a péece of the Fort to be made by his men, and hy this his comming, the Fort was made an ende off in a short time:A description and comendatiō of the Forte of Coching. which being as it was, made of timber, was as strong & faire as though it had bene made of lyme and stone. It was builded square, and within the walls from the one side to the other, it was square euery way nine fathome. The walls were made of two orders of Palme trées and other strong timber, firmely set into the ground, and yoked together with hoopes of yron, and nayled with great nayles. Betwéene the two orders of trées, they were rampered vp with much earth & sande, and at the ende of each of these Corners, wer builded bulwarks, which were replenished with Ordinaunce. Also there was cast about the same a Caue or Ditch, which alwaies was full of water. The next daye after that this Fort was en­ded, there was made a solemne Procession, in the which, went the Vicar of this Forte, who rarried in his hande a Crucifix vnder a Canapie, which the Captaines caried ouer him, sounding before the same their Trumpets, with great ioye. With this solemnitie they entred into y^e Castle, which the Vicar did blesse. And by commaundement of the Cap­taines, they caused the same to be called Manuel, in perpetu­all memory of the King Don Manuel, vnto whom all those that made the same were subiects. The Fort being blessed, ther was a Masse sang, at y^e which ther was also a Sermon made by Frier Gaston, wherein was made mention how much they were bound to giue God great thankes, y^t would [Page 123] permit and condescend, that from so small a kingdome as that is of Portingale, and lieng on the cape of the Occident, there should goe Portingales to a land so farre of, as are the Indias, and to make there a fort amongst such a multi­tude of enimyes vnto the Catholike faith. And that by the clemencie of God, this should be but a beginning of many others. Also he made mention how greatly bound they wer to y^• king of Coching, for y^e good seruice y^• héerin he had done to the king theyr souereigne: which words béeing brought to y^e king of Coching, They fol­lowe the vvars far­ther for y^e king of Coching [...] reuenge. he reioyced therat very much, & gaue y^e generals thanks for y^e same. After all this they returned & followed their warres against all such as were enimies to the king of Coching, and beset certeine townes which wer along the coast, fiue leagues from Coching, the rather for that they were aduertised by their spies, that those Nayres that should kéepe the same, were but few in number. They carried with them for that place seauen hundred men, and departed two houres before day, notwithstanding it was nine of the clocke before they came thether, in the which townes there were more then sixe thousand soules, ouer & besides children, and such Naires as were there in garison, which were thrée hundred, and those all bowmen, Alon­so de Alburquerque, with other of the Captaines leapt a land hard by the first towne: & Francisco de Alburquerque w^t the others into the other towns, which were a Fawlcon shot off. In the first they tooke the enimies vpon a sodeme, with the feare thereof they made them runne awaie, for that immediatly as soone as they landed, they set fire vnto them all.

Our men seeing the enimies to runne awaie, went af­ter them,At the alarome soū ded, the force of y^e Moores increaseth▪ and in ouertaking them there were many slaine of them, and after that they were wery of following them, they destroied the countrie. In the meane while the larome was raised, and for that this Ilande was well inhabited, there was assembled together well nigh sixe thousande Nayres, which did set vpon our men at theyr imbarking, so that they were in greate daunger, in especiall Edwarto Pa­checo, [Page] which found not his boat wher he had left the fam [...]. They followed him so narrowlye, that with their Bowes and arrowes there were of his men hurt to the number of eight, although they defended themselues valiauntly, and killed many of their enimies. But for that the enimyes were so many in number, they had beene worse handled, if so b [...] those Captaines Generalls which were inbarked, had not disimbarked themselues and [...]coured them. The eny­mies séeing this, and hauing lost their hope to reuenge their iniuries, more then that they had done, did runne awaye, leauing behinde them the [...] well couered ouer▪ with dead men, which fell: with their bowes and hand guns in theyr hands. The enimies [...] gone after this force, our men did set a fire fiftéene, Paraos, which were a ground, and tooke other seauen which were a floate, and so departed, go­ing their way alwaies hallowing and crieng, as who shuld say, they [...] them, which thing gréeued the Lord of Re­pelyn, whose Ilande that was▪ considering howe all they found the same prouided. And they fearing least our men would [...] vpon another towne, which stoode a league from the same vp the riuer, he sent certeine Naires thether immediatly.

How the Captaines Generall returned to Repelyn, and afterward went to [...] what Edwarte Pa­checo did in those two [...]. Chap. 60.

THe Captaines generall hauing knowledge of these townes, & to the end ther shuld re­maine nothing of the Lords of Repelyn y^• were not destroied▪ they determined so fol­low them victory. And therfore y^t selfe same night they departed, but before they would so do, they rested themselues till it was midnight▪ hard by y^e castle, y^t they might by the dawning of the day come to the town whether they minded to [...]. And for at y^• it was dark, yet they departed at y^• time, although y^e one of them could not see the other. And Alonso de Alburquerque being [...] [Page 124] to remaine behinde▪ The readinesse and forvvard­nes of A­lonso de Alburquerque. he commanded his men row a apac [...], & by y^t meanes he was the first that came to the towne, & that a great deale before day. And being weary with staieng for the rest of his companye, he commaunded to set fire to the towne, with intent to burne the same: & for that the enimies were vnprouided for his cōming, he supposed he might ther­fore doe the same the better, and so he did. The enimies sée­ing the fire, arose forthwith to quench the same, which our men perceiuing, did set vpon them, & slew some, & the others ranne their wayes. Thus they did for that they were of a base kinde of people and poore, and without weapons. The Naires knowing that it was our men that had set y^e fire,A base minded & cowar­dise kinde of people▪ came thether all such of them as were in garison within y^e towne, which were more then two thousand, who being to­gether, did set vpon our men very desperatly, insomuch that Alonso de Alburquerque with his men, was driuen to re­tire, for that they were no more then fortie, of y^e which ther was one slaine, & of the others there were some hurt with their arrowes They had all of them hardly escaped, if so be that they had not retired, which was done not without great trouble. And yet he could not haue done so much if the boys of the ships which remained in their boats, had not set fire to a Fawlcon, for feare of the which, as soone as the same was shot of the enimies aparted themselues. By this time it was day light, at the which came thether Francisco de Alburquerque, who whē he had knowledge what had past, commaunded to be shot of all the ordinance that the boats carried, which made the enimies to flie from the shoare. Whilest they were thus doing, Edwarte Pacheco did deter­mine to leape a land, somwhat farther of from the others, & going forth to doe so, he found ther many Naires w^t theyr weapons, which had past by a narrow way, to y^e intent to succour their felows. As soone as he had sight of thē, he com­manded to bring his boat hard to y^e streight, where w^t his ordinance he did hinder and keepe that passage. Then im­mediatly came thether our men, which forthwith did, leape a land, & setting vpō their enimies, inforced thē to rū away: [Page] and for that they knew not the countrie they followed them not,The eni­mies tovvne set on fire▪ but did set fire to the towne. Then Edwarto Pacheco, & Pedro de Taide did part themselues with their men to go and burne another Towne which stoode a little aboue the [...]ther, and in the way they met with eightéene Paraos, all armed, of the king of Calycuts, which they did put to flight, and the towne being burnt, as they before had determined, they returned to their Generalls. And for that it was som­what rath for to returne, they went to the Iland of Cam­balan▪ minding to destroie y^e same, for that the Caimall was enimie to the king of Coching, where they burnt a greate towne. From thence Edwarto Pacheco, with sixe Paraos of Coching, went to burne another towne, but before they could accomplish the same, they fought a good while with their enimies, of the which there were some slaine. The Towne being set a fire, he retourned with his men, of the which were seauen hurt, and béeing retyred, he fought with thirtéene Paraos of Calicut, which he did ouercome with the helpe of Pedro de Tayde, & Antonio del campo, which came thether at that instant. The enimies being retired in­to a certeine créeke, there went after them Edwarto Pache­co, and was the cause that one of those Paraos ran a ground; and so he tooke the same, and in the meane while the others went their waie. And for that our men that rowed were wearyed, they went not therefore after them, but returned vnto their Captaines generall, with whome they went to Coching. They re­turne frō pursuing theyr eni­mies▪ And giuing the king an account of that which they had done, hée yéelded himselfe sufficiently contented with reuenge of his enimies, and prayed them to giue ouer the warres.

What the captaine Generall had done going for a Tone laden with pepper, and how Edwar­to Pacheco did put to flight 34. Paraos. chap. 6 [...].

[Page 125] NOw by reason of these foresaid wars, there was none that durst bring one graine of Pepper to sell at the Factorie. Neither yet durst the merchants goe to seeke the same out, and for all that they were able, they could not get more then thrée hundred Ba­hares. And so they sent word to the generalls, willing them to send for it, being nine leagues of from Coching, y^• which they immediatly did, béeing accompanied with all the other Captaines of the Fléete, for that they shoulde goe for the same amongst all their enimyes. And because they woulde not be knowne, they departed in the night, and in their way Edwarte Pacheco did destroy an whole▪ Ilande, where hee with onely those of his owne companie fought with sixe thousand of his enimies, & the Generalls did in the meane while put to slight xxxiiii. Paraos. This béeing done, Ed­warte Pacheco and Antonio del campo, went and destroi­ed a great towne in the firme land, fighting with, & putting to slight two thousand Naires, of the which ther were ma­ny slaine and hurt, and of our men not one. With this vic­torie they returned to their Captaines Generall, who sent immediatly for the pepper, which was but a lyttle way of, and being night, themselues did depart toward Coching, from whence they were minded to send the Tone which carried the pepper, laden with merchandise to giue in truck of the same. And for that it might goe the surer, Edwarte Pacheco was sent with other thrée Captaines, who carried each of them fiftie men a péece, & of Coching therwent 500. Paraos▪ Edwarte Pacheco being departed, did passe the fore­said straight before it was day, & therfore he was not seens, & being broad day did passe by the mouth of a [...],The vali­ant [...] of Edvvarte Pacheco▪ where ther were bow men without number, y^• which shot at our men with their arrowes. And if so be y^• our boates had not ben paueic [...]d or fenced with their shields a targets, our men had receiued great hurt, for that the riuer was but narow, so y^e with their arrows they might reach them▪ Edwarte Pa­checo [Page] séeing that they were ioyned all together, and iudg­ing that on that sort they might do them some harme, com­manded immediatly one of the Captaines to kéepe y^• Tone, and he with the other two, & also those of Coching did de­terminatly come with y^e proers of their boats a land, where there were two thousand men of the enimies, amongst the which he commaunded the Fawlkons to be shotte off, the which did so enter amongest them all, that with the same there were many torne in péeces, so that it made the residue to retire from the water side, & there remained place inough for our men to disimbarke themselues without daunger, & so they did. And as the most part of them carried hand­guns, so they did set vpon them with the better stomacke. The enimies for all that gaue no place, but shot of their ar­rowes, which were so many in number, that it was thought that one met in the aire with another. The skirmish was valiantly handled of the one side,An hot & valiant skirmish. and of the other, which in such sort indured a quarter of an houre, yet notwithstan­ding, the enimie at length did runne away, and left of their company many slaine, the cause whereof was, for that they brought no weapons to offend their enimies withall. Then our men pursued them to a village, out of the which there issued many Naires, which ioyning thēselues with those y^• fled away, returned vpon our men with such a stomacke that they ran in great daunger, for that there were of the enimies wel néere sixe thousand men. A great multitude of those y^t were ther, did then as much as they could to go be­twéene the riuer and our men, but to resist them that they should not so doe, and to kill them all, our men defended themselues, and repelled them with greate difficultie. And as the riuer was thus defended, so they ran into the same, in the which they shewed themselues to be valiant. And when they drew néere to those that were in their boates, they se­parated themselues into two seuerall places, leauing one broad way, that our men might the better imbark them­selues, standing without the daunger of their Ordinaunce, with the feare of the which the enimyes did suffer our men [Page 126] to imbarke themselues, whereat there was none either slaine or hurt, which séemed to be a miracle.

¶Heere is contained the scituation of the Citie of Coulan, and how the Apostle Saint Thomas came thether, and there was martyred: and Alonso de Alburquerque went and laded there, and in what place did settle a Factorye. Chap. 62.

IMmediatly after this was the king of Ca­licut aduertised of the losse of those [...]araos, and also of all the successe that our men had in those wars, for the knowledge wherof he vsed all diligence, in respect of the great de­sire he had to turne vs out of the Indias, for that naturally they could not abide vs. And fearing least that we shuld take their countrie from them,Why the Indias wer most earnest to hunt our men out of their Countrie▪ they were so much the more desirous to hunt vs away. This thing they pro­cured with great instance, and also were the occasion that we should haue no Pepper. Making this account, that if so be that we should goe without the same vnto Portin­gale, it would be the occasion, that we would not retourne againe to the Indias. By this meanes therfore we were dri­uen to prouide for the Fléete in their riuers, and that with such a number of men, that we could neuer haue aboue a 1200. quintall of Pepper, of 4000. Bahares, that the Mer­chants had promised, and yet this we got with great shot of Ordinaunce, and hurt of our men, and with infinit shed­ding of bloud of the enimies.

In the ende, the king of Calycut found the meanes by merchants his friends to perswade with the merchants of Coching, to giue to the Captaine general no more pepper, excusing themselues with the warres. Which thing was done in such sort, that neither with the request of the king of Coching, neither with anye gifte that was giuen them by Francisco de Alburquerque, hée coulde moue [Page] or perswade them to giue them anye more Pepper. Now the hope of our men for hauing the same anye more in Coching béeing past, Alonso de Alburquerque with Pe­dro de Tayde, and Antonio del Campo, were driuen to séeke for the same at the citie of Coulan, which they did the sooner, for that they knew that the gouernours of y^• Towne were desirous of our factorie, the which was offered to Pe­dro Aluares Cabrall, and the Lorde Admerall. Those that thus went thether, were fully bent to make warres against them, if so be that they woulde not giue them lading for theyr ships. Alonso de Alburquerque béeing departed from Coching with certaine Captaines, came into the port of the Citie of Coulan, the which standeth twelue leagues from Coching, and from Comarin xxiiii. the which is be­yond the same, bearing toward the South.

This Citie (as [...] saye) before that Calycut was buil­ded,The di­scriptiō of the citie of Coulā. was the principall of the Poruince of Malabar, and the greatest and most principallest Port of all that Coast. Notwithstanding, as yet their houses be both greate and fayre, and so are also theyr Pagodes and Chappells com­parable to these of Calycut. Their harbour or hauen is ve­rie good, they are well prouided of all sortes of victualls, the people are in condition lyke vnto those of Calicut. The inhabitants are Malabars, Gentiles, and Moores, and the Moores are verie rich and greate merchauntes, in especially since the warres beganne betwéene Calycut and vs, for many merchauntes of Calycut lefte the same, and nowe dwell there. They doe trade in Coromandyll, Cei­lan, in the Ilands of Maldyua, Bengala, Pegu, [...]matia, and in Malaea.

The king of this countrie is Lorde of a greate King­dome, wherin are many great Cities and rich, which haue belonging vnto them sundrye goodlye harbours, by reason whereof his customes are great, and for that cause they are riche of Treasure, and are able to make a greate power of men of warre▪ which are for the moste parte men but of lyttle stature. He hath alwayes in his [Page 127] gard, thrée hundred women, which doe vse bowes, and are very perfect in the skill of shooting.A gard of vvomen vvith bovves & arrovves. They haue about their breasts certaine bands of lynnen & of silke, with the which they doe binde them so harde, that they are no hinderaunce vnto them in their shooting. This king hath for y^e most part of his [...], war with the king of Narsinga, which is a great trouble vnto him. He doth continually or for the most part remain [...] [...] a Citie, the which they doe call Calle. The Go­uernours of Coulan are as it were Aldermen, in the which, there is a certaine Church, which y^e Apostle Saint Thomas builded▪ comming thether to preach the Catholike faith, by reason wherof, there were great numbers that turned Chri­stians, as well of the Gentiles, as otherwise, so that of them there are procéeded from generation to generation the num­ber of twelue thousand householders, that are scattered a­broad in the Country wher they haue their Churches. The King of Coulan séeing how many were daylye conuerted, and the daunger thereof, did banish him out of his Coun­trey, who being thus gone, went to a Citie called Malapur, lyeng along that Coast, and is parcell of the Kingdome of Narsingas. And yet being there, for y^t he was so followed by y^• Gentiles and by y^e Christians of Coulan, did apart himselfe to y^e Mountains,S. Thomas banished y^e country▪ wher they affirme y^t he dyed, & from thence he was brought to be buried in Coulan, in a vante y^t was made in the foresaide Church. This Church is now ouer­growen, with b [...]shes and woodes, for that the Citie is disin­habited, onely there remaineth a poore Moore, which doeth kéepe the same, for that there are no Christians néere vnto it: and there he liueth vppon the almes of all those y^t com­meth thether in Pilgrimage, aswell of Christians as of the Gentiles, for y^e Moores doth not let to giue their almes like­wise vnto him, for that he was buried in their Countrey. Alonso de Alburquerque being come to the harbor of this citie, & the Gouernours hauing knowledge therof, they came to visite him a boord his ship, where within the same there was setled a peace, y^• which was made vpon condition, that we should haue our Factory in the Citie, & also should haue [Page] as much lading of spices and other commodities,The con­ditions of the peace made vvith the inhabitāts of this Citie. as would lade presently those ships, the which immediatly they went about to prouide. In the meane while that our men were there, and whilest that the one ship tooke in his lading, the other two kept abroad in the sea, to watch all such as past by from other places and those that they could discrie, were brought, some with their good wills, and others there were brought against their wills, to speake with Alonso de Al­burquerque, and to shew him obedience as to a Captaine general of y^e king of Portingales. He offered no hurt to any, but onely to the Moores of the red sea: for all such of them as he tooke, he would cause their ships first to be ransacked, and afterward to be burnt, in reuenge of that they had done to Pedro Aluares Cabrall, of the which those of Coulan were greatly afraid. The house for the Factorie béeing fini­shed, and the shippes laden, Alonso de Alburquerque lefte there for Factor, one Antonio de Sala, with two scriueners, the one called Rodrigo Aranso, and the other Loparabe­lo: and for interpretour one called Madera, and two Fri­ers for Chaplaines, with others, the which in all were xx. And so leauing them in peace, he departed toward Coching.

How the Captaine Generall departed for Portingale, and how he left in the Indias for Captaine Gene­rall Edwarte Pacheco. Chap. 63.

ALL these things remaining in this order, there was sent a messenger to Francisco de Alburquerque from Cosebiquin, a Moore of Calicut, which was a greate friend of ours, as I haue before declared, signifi­eng that the king of Calicut was de­termined to set vppon Coching, im­mediatly after he was gone to Por­tingale, and so take the same, and to fortifie it in such sorte, [Page 128] that he might defend the entering into the harbour, what­soeuer armie should come. And for the furtheraunce of this enterprise, he had gotten the good will of all the nobilitye of Malabar, and that also for certeintie it was bruited, that the king of Cananor and the king of Coulan would secretly aide him. Ouer and besides all this, that the Merchauntes Moores did offer him great helpes toward the same. After the selfe same sorte, did Francisco Reynel write vnto him a fewe dayes after, and how that the king of Calycut was preparing of souldiers, besides that hée had commanded much ordinaunce to be made, and that the Moores of Coching were greatly in his fauour, and therfore he did aduertise him not to trust much vnto them: within two daies after the receipt of these letteres, the king of Coching wēt to visit Francisco de Alburquerque, and after the same manner told him that which he had learned of certeine Bramenes that came from Calycut, and willed him to beware & to foresée what daun­ger he was in to lose Coching, if so be that ther did remaine no armie of defence for that purpose. Laieng further before him, how many daungers he had bene in for the maintei­naunce of our friendship, and for that cause his owne sub­iects had risen against him, and that nowe they minded to doe the like. Yet notwithstanding he had such a hope in our men, and our helpe, that he desired none other succour for to defend him from his enimyes, whereof he praied him not to say him nay.

VNto this,The generals cōfor­table aun­svvere vn­to y^e king of Co­ching. Francisco de Alburquerque, aunswered him, that if so be that he did well knowe whether hée hadde gotten, by such losses as hée hadde receiued, for the fauour which he had shewed vnto our men, he would receiue other greater losses if it were possible. For setting a side the great renoune and fame which he hadde gotten of a true and valiaunt Prince, ‘hée hadde also recouered for a friende the king of Portingale, which is Lorde of such subiects as hée hath séene, who also are his to obeye and serue him in all thing, when néede should require. [Page] And farther, that they would with small trouble make him Lord of greater cities then Coching, and that also he might beléeue, that euen as they did restore him vnto his estate, euen so they would conserue him in the same. And although that there were made with the King of Calycut the grea­test peace that could be, yet he sayde he had so small a confi­dence in his dooings, that he would not leaue him without an armie of ships, before that he departed from the Indias, for that he did well know, how little truth that King vsed. And if so be, that vntil this time he had dissembled with him, it was onely to sée whether by this meanes he might lade his ships, for otherwise he could not do it, in especiall y^e time being as it is so néere spent.’

With this aunswere, the King was satisfied: and since that Francisco de Alburquerque could haue no more Pep­per then that he had, which was but a small quantitie, hée determined to depart toward Portingale, but first he would nominate him that should remaine in the Indias for Cap­taine generall, that the King of Coching should vnderstand the same. And for that he knew, that he that was appoyn­ted, would thinke it very dangerous to remaine there, with so few men as he was able to leaue him, he durst commit it to none of his Captaines. Howbeit after that he had offe­red the same to them all, and they were not willing to ac­cept it,Edwarte Pacheco apointed Captaine generall for the Indias▪ last of all he gaue the gouernment to Edwarte Pache­cho, who did accept it with a great good will, more for to serue God and his king, then for any profite he knewe that hée should get in remaining in the Indias.

And when it was once spread abroad & knowne to the king of Coching, that Edwarte Pacheco was he that was appointed, he was well pleased therewith, for that he hadde heard before of his valour. This being concluded vppon, Francisco de Alburquerque made saile, carrieng with him all the rest of the Fléete. But first he gaue the king to vn­derstand that he did carry the same no further then to Ca­nanor, for because of the Fléete of Calycut, which might en­counter with him, and so worke him some displeasure in his [Page 129] Port, where he minded to stay (as he did) procuring the ly­bertie of Rodrigo Reynel and the others that were there. This determination being knowen to the King of Ca­lycut, he sent him word, that it were not requisite that hée should haue him away, but rather offered him, if so be that he would tarrie, to giue him the Pepper that he had promi­sed to delyuer. But hearing this, he supposed that he gaue the same out, that Rodrigo Reynel with the others, should be the more desirous to remaine in the Indias. At this in­staunt came in Alonso de Alburquerque which retourned from Coulan, and the time being spent, he would not tarrye there any longer, but with the rest went toward Cananor. And being there arriued, there came a letter from Rodrigo Reynel, in the which he wrote vnto him, that the King of Calycut was certainly bent to set vpon Coching, immedi­ately after that he were gone. And that all those dissimula­tions which he did vse in offering to giue him Pepper, was but for feare he had conceiued that he would haue burnt his ships, which were as then in his harbour. This newes the Captaine generall kept close to himselfe, that the same shuld not come to y^e eares of Edwarte Pacheco, vnto whom was lefte the shippe in the which he went, and two Caruells, of the which were Captaines Pedro Raphael and Diego Pi­eres, besides a shippe boate.

Also they lefte him foure score and tenne men, and those whole, that were néedfull, for all the rest were sicke. Also, there was left him, the most parte of the Ordinaunce, with the most parte of the munition that they were able to spare. Now being knowen to them all, of the great power that the King of Calycut had in a readinesse, they did then mer­uayle, that Edwarte Pacheco would accept the same, in espe­cially, for that he remayned with so small a Fléete. Some therefore there were that gaue out and sayde, God haue mercie vpon Edwarte Pacheco, and those that doe remayne with him: supposing that in very déede, he shoulde not es­cape.

And although these words were spoken within his hea­ring, [Page] hearing, yet for all that he would not but tarrie. The Cap­taine Generall béeing dispatched, did depart towardes Por­tingale, the last of Ianuarye, in the yeare of our Lorde 1504.1504▪

The first that made saile was Alonso de Alburquer­que, They de­part from the Indias and saile tovvardes Portingal▪ Francisco de Alburquerque, and Nicholas Coello that departed afterwarde, were cast awaye, Pedro de Tai­de was driuen to Quyloa, and entering vppon the Barre, his Shippe was there cast awaye, with the most parte of his men, by meanes whereof hée went to Monsan­bique in a Zanbuco, where afterwarde hée dyed. Hée lefte there a Letter written of all his successe, and also declaring in what estate the Indias did remaine, which hée com­maunded to bée deliuered to any Captaine that should come thether from Portingale.

Alonso de Alburquerque, and Antonio del Cam­po came to Lishborne the thrée and twentéeth of August, in the yeare aboue sayde, and tolde the King of the estate of the Indias, who also presented him with foure hundred weight of the greate séede of Pearles, which is called Alhofer or Ragges, and with 144. pounde weight of great Pearle, of greate estimation, and eight Oysters, in the which the same do grow: and also a Diamond Tablet, the which was as bigge as a greate Beane, besides many other iew­ells, and also two horses out of Persia, the which were great runners.

¶How Edwarte Pacheco behaued himselfe in Ca­nanor, and in his course toward Coching: and what else he past with the king at his arriual. chap. 64.

FRancisco de Alburquerque béeing departed towardes Portingale, Edwarte Pacheco which remained for Captaine Generall in the Indias, hauing a while stayed [Page 130] in Cananor to take in there his victualles, brought him­selfe vnder sayle, and came to an Ankor without the point of Cananor, and from thence hée sent Pedro Raphaell to goe a long the Coast, and to cause all such Shippes as he coulde discrye to beare with the Captaine, and to re­knowledge him for their Generall. At this instaunt was Diego Pieres a newe rigging of his Caruell in Coching. And all these Shippes that were brought before the Gene­rall, gaue an account whether they were bounde, and what they carryed, and also of whence they were. And if so bee that hée founde anye Pepper, hée woulde take the same, as hée did from some other shippes that were bound to Calycut, in the which order hée vsed such rigour, that afterwarde hée was feared of all men.

Whilest hée was thus at an Ankor, there came vppon him in the night a Fléete of twentye and fiue Saile of Shippes, which vppon a sodeine made him to coniecture that they were of Calycut. And séeing himselfe in such daunger, hée commaunded to let slippe their Gabells by theyr Halsis, for that vppon such a sodeine they coulde not weye theyr Ankors with theyr Capsteines, and with the same he cut and made his course into the Sea, to bring himselfe in the winde of those Sayles, vppon whome hee commaunded to shoote off all his Ordinaunce. And as they were shippes laden with Rice, so ranne they their waye as fast as they coulde. Some there were that ranne a grounde, and more hurt had bene done, had it not béene for a greate ship of the Moores that came in their company,A valiant skirmish vvith an hot ship of the Moores. in the which were well néere to the number of 400. Moores, that were of the kingdome of Cananor. These thinking that they might take our shippe, came sodeinly vppon them, alwaies shooting of their arrowes, and we aunswering them likewise with our Ordinaunce. This skirmish continued till it was al­most day, and then they tolde what they were. After that Ed­warte Pacheco had thus well beaten him with his Ordi­naunce, with the which were nine of his men slaine, besides many that were hurt, they tolde what they were.

[Page] And for that there durst not passe anye Ship by for feare that they shuld be taken, the Captaine Generall departed to­wards Coching, and in the waye he fought with certeine ships of the Moores, some he burnt, and others hée tooke, be­side those that were sunke. Thus with greate victorie hée arriued at Coching, and landed at the Castle, where he vn­sterstoode by the Factour, that the newes of the preparation that the king of Calycut had made for the warres was most true, and that the king of Coching stood in greate feare thereof, for that the Moores that were inhabitantes of Co­ching, were against their king for the mainteining of these warres against the king of Calycut. The next day follow­ing the Captaine Generall went to visite the king of Co­ching, carrieng his boats with him well armed and fenced, with certeine paueises made of Boordes, and sette with Flagges, besides certeine Ordinaunce which they had in the same, with the which he shewed himselfe to be verye ioy­full, the rather that the king might take occasion to be mer­rie: who after that he vnderstoode how small a fleete there was left to defend his countrie withall, he could not bée but verye pensatiue,What great feare y^e king of Coching vvas put into by his traite­rous sub­iects. and sayde vnto the Captaine Generall, that the Moores of Coching hadde tolde him that hée did not remaine in the Indias to defende him from the king of Calycuts power, but to gather together the Merchaundise that were in the Factorye in Coching, and in the Factors custodie, with all those that were there, and so to carry them all to Cananor and Coulan.

And therefore hée earnestlye requested him to tell him if it were so or not, for hée did thinke the same to be true, by reason that there was lefte so small a Fléete. Which the rather also made him to doubt that hee would not tar­rie to fight with the king of Calycuts power, but woulde doe as the Moores hadde tolde him, wherefore hée prayed him to aduertise him of the truth thereof, for that if it were so, hée might in time séeke his reuenge, although as then hée should hardlye finde the same, since he had no further helpe. [Page 131] The Captaine Generall perceiuing the distrust that the king had, was offended therewith, and aunswered him, saieng.

I Doe much meruaile of thée (considering that thou hast so great experience of the fidelitie of the Portingales) that thou doest aske me whether I doe remaine for so trai­terous an act,The aun­svvere vvhich the Captaine Generall made to y^e king of Coching. as this is, that in such a time I should do as the Moores haue told thée, & thou wilt beléeue them, know­ing that they are so greatly our enimies. Thinking that thou vnderstanding of this, shouldest not bring in question such a matter out of all reason. ‘And if so be that Francis­co de Alburquerque would haue done any such thing, it had bene a great deale better that he with all his Captains had done it, and not haue left me alone to do the same, & to runne in daunger, and to méete on the seas with so great a fléet of the kings of Calicut, for them to set vpon mée only. And if it were so that I should haue remained for to haue done so foule a déede, yet I would haue tolde thée thereof, that I had so meant to doe, for that I was afearde of the king of Calycuts power. But for that I doe take thée to be a man indued with reason, I did suppose that thou woul­dest not haue thought ill thereof. For otherwise those bée­ing warned thereof, it might haue bene very profitable vn­to thée, to haue remained frée from the enuie and mallice of the king of Calicut. Which thing if so be that the Moores had considered of, they would not haue tolde thée so great a fable. Beleeue me, if they could haue done thée a greater in­iurie, they would haue done it, for the good will thou doest beare vnto vs. This I doe knowe very well, but let not that trouble thée. For although thou doest loose them, and all the rest of thy subiectes, yet thou doest recouer me, and as many Portingales as héere remaine, who all will die in thy seruice if it were néede, for that is the onely cause wée did remaine in the Indias, and in especially: for there was no man that bound me therevnto, if so be y^• I wold not, but only the fidelitye & truth which thou hast alwaies vsed to­wards [Page] our men vntill such time as thou diddest loose Co­ching, and diddest sée the same burnt. For the which cause thou oughtest to estéeme the better of thy selfe, for thereby thou hast exalted thy fame through all the Countrie, and therfore thy name wil remaine for euer, which is the grea­test treasure that kings canne leaue behinde them, and the onely thing that all men doe séeke for. And beléeue me, when the king of Calycut did first set fire to Coching, the same was his destruction, which was afterwarde well reuen­ged vppon thine enimies by the Portingales, & so thou shalt now bée as well defended by them. And although thou do­est thinke vs to bée fewe and a small Fléete, yet I doe pro­mise thée, that very shortly we will séeme to bée verye ma­ny by our valyantnesse.’ And I hope in God that we shall so defend whatsoeuer straight or passage the king of Caly­cut shall enter into,A fevv va­liant men are better thē many more na­ked and cowardly▪ where assuredly we will tarry and not remoue our selues from thence, neither night nor daye, and for the passages that are straight, our armie is inough, and therefore it skilleth not, there remaine no more for the ri­uers, for that these are sufficient. And since that they chose me to remaine, ‘beléeue certeinly that they did well knowe they left him that shal excuse thée of thy trauaile, and of the wearieng of thy men. And therefore be thou merrie and re­solue thy selfe (that by Gods grace) it shall not happen now vnto thée as héeretofore it didde, when thou diddest loose Coching: for I and these that doe remaine with me shall take vppon vs the whole charge and daunger of the warres.’

How the Moores of Coching prepared to go from thence: and how the captaine Generall stayde certeine of them that they should not departe, and what more he did. chap. 65.

[Page 132] THe king being with this, somwhat eased & recomforted, touching that the Moores had told him, the Captaine general went to sée the streights, & to fortifie them, which had great néede thereof. But they all were wel furnished, sauing onely the foord, which he commanded to be fortified with stakes, that ther might en­ter no vessells of the enimies. In the meane time he was aduertised by a Letter from Rodrigo Reynel, that a prin­cipall Moore of Coching, and besides diuerse others, did pro­cure all that they could to leaue the citie, that y^e king might remaine alone, & that thervpon this Moore hath come twice to speake with the king of Calycut in his owne behalfe, and in the name of the others. This newes troubled the Cap­taine Generall a while, howbeit to disappoint them of their suttle dealing, and that the same shoulde take no effect, hée thought it necessarie to execute this principall Moore, that the others might conceiue some feare thereof. This béeing knowne to the king of Coching, he woulde not consent therevnto, thinking that if so be that he were executed, the others would make a mutenie immediatly, and then there shuld be no victualls brought into the citie, for that those did prouide the citie therewith in trucke of their merchandise, and therefore he thought best to dissemble with them all. The Captaine Generall séeing that the king woulde not consent therevnto, tolde him that he woulde talke with the Moores himselfe, and that he had thought to vse some poli­cie that none of them should depart out of the citie. But first he commaunded all his owne men to obeye him in all such occasions as should be néedfull or requisite, which comman­dement the king also gaue out amongst his subiect: this be­ing done, the Captaine general went with forty of his men to Coching, to the house of this principall Moore called Be­linamacar, who dwelt hard by the riuer side, requesting him to send for certeine Moores which he did name, for y^• he wold consult with them vpon a certeine matter which did con­cerne them all.

[Page] To whom the Moores came immediatly, for that they wer afeard of him, and when hée sawe them all, he saide vnto them.

I Did send for you all,The generals Orati­on to the Mores cō ­cerning his abode in the Indias. honest Merchants, that you shoulde vnderstand, wherfore and for what cause I remained in the Indias, for that it is possible that all you do not know. Some there be that doe report that I do remaine to gather together the Factorie, and so to carrie the same to Coulan, and to Cananor: but that you may vnderstand it is not so, I will therefore tell you the truth. I doe remaine for no other purpose but onely to kéepe Coching, ‘and if so be that it were néedfull or requisite, to die my selfe, and all those that doe remaine with me, in your defence, in preseruing you from the king of Calycut. And this shall be manifest vnto him, if so bée that he doe come, for I promise you all, that I will méet with him in the way of Cambalan, wher­as it is tolde me he will enter, and if so be there he dare fight with me, I will not doubt but to take him prisoner, and carrie him with me into Portingale. Wherefore vntill such time, as you doe not sée any thing to the contrarie, I earnestly request you that you doe not goe from Coching, for that I heare that you are minded to goe from thence, & that you doe allure the residue of the inhabitants with you, for as you are the chiefest and principalls, so all the common sort of people doth follow you. Now I meruaile much y^• be­ing men of so gret wisdome as you are, you wil leaue your houses in the which you were borne, & the country where­in you haue dwelt so many yeres, not for feare of any thing that you haue séene, but onely of that which you heare, which thing for women to doe were verye ill,’ much more for you that are men.Hovv fevv Portingals haue van­quished thousāds of therr enimies. But if so be that you would go, when you shall séeme in daunger, or else runne awaie, I woulde not blame you, but to goe awaye before you haue seene any of these daungers, or anye battaile fought, I account the same, either cowardise, or else mallice. You doe well know, that in a manner yesterday, how few Portingales did [Page 133] giue the ouerthrowe to thousands of our enimies, ‘which now also come to séeke vs out. And if so be that you will alleadge, that we were more in number then we are now, indéede it is so, for then we fought in open fielde, where it was necessarie there should be many: and nowe in a nar­rowe waye, where a fewe shall doe as much as though were many more. And since that I can fight, as you haue well heard of the same, for that I haue bene he that haue done most hurt to our enimies (as the king of Coching is a good witnesse thereof) I neuer meane to yéelde, who shall loose more then you all, if I be ouercome. Haue ye therfore a sure hope in me, and in those that remaine with mée, and tarrie vntill such time you may sée the successe of all things that we doe looke for, and since that your king doth tarrie, why will ye goe your waie? Remember that I and the others that doe remaine with me, doe soiourne in the Indias so farre from our Countrie, to defend the king of Coching, and you that are his subiects and naturally borne in the Countrie. Will you then forsake him and your coun­trie? It were great shame for women so to doe, much more for honest men as you are. I doe desire you that you do not dishonour your selues, nor yet doe to me so great an iniu­rie, in hauing no confidence that I will defend you: for I doe giue vnto you all my word, that I will defend you frō a greater power then any the king of Calycut canne make. For therefore and for this cause was I chosen, and those that did appoint me to remaine in the Indias, did know of the warres that the king of Calycut intended, and what power he had, in respect whereof I doe once againe request you,An hard thretning but poly­tike and necessary. to beléeue that the king of Calycut shall neuer set his foot in Coching. Wherefore I desire you that none of you doe remoue, for whosoeuer doth otherwise shall well vnderstand, that if so be I may take him I will hang him, and so I sweare by my lawe. And moreouer I giue you to vnderstande, that none of you all shall escape, for héere in this port I doe minde to tarrie, watching both day & night. Now therfore let euery one of you looke to that which shall [Page] behoue him, and if so be you doe performe that which I haue requested you, doe you then assure your selues to haue me for your friend, and if not, for your mortall enimie, and more cruell then you would wish me to bée to the king of Calycut. And therfore each of you, speak plainly your mind what you will doe héerein.’

This béeing spoken, it gaue him occasion to encrease his cholar, that without any consideration thereof, hée did speak so lowde, that the Moores with the same did double theyr feare, that they had conceiued of him, fearing indéede that immediatly he would haue hanged them all. Wherfore pre­sently they began to excuse themselues, touching that hée charged them with all, but he woulde not tarrie the hea­ring of the same, to the intent to put them in greater feare, but sent immediatly for his Ship, causing it to be brought to an Ankor, hard ouer against Coching, besides one of the Caruells, and two of the boates, which he appointed forth­with to bée set in such order, that there coulde none goe out of Coching by water, but must néedes bée séene.

He had also many Paraos, which he hadde caused too bée newly rigged, with the which in the night, he watched in the riuers, which runne round about the citie. Also at Sun­setting he would take all the boats that could carry men or stuffe, and commaund the same to be brought a boorde his ship, and to kéepe the watch, and in the morning he returned them to their owners. With this diligence they of Co­ching were so feared, that there was none y^• durst go forth without his lisence, & by meanes of those extremities vsed, the Moores and Gentiles were quiet, yet for all these trou­bles that the Captaine Generall had, the most part of the night he would venture a land into Repelyn, in the which he burnt townes, killed men, and tooke greate store of Cat­tell and Paraos, and also did them sundrie other iniuries, at the which the Moores of Coching much meruailed,they cal y^e Captaine Generall a Diuell. namely, how he could suffer so great trauaile, and therfore they gaue out, that he was the diuell.

How the Captaine Generall made an entrie into Repelyn, and also how he departed towardes the straights of Cambalan, there to tarrie the king of Calicuts comming. Chap. 66.

AT this instant was the king of Co­ching aduertised that the king of Calicut was come to Repelin, to ga­ther his power together, and so to go from thence to Coching by the straights of Cambalan. After y^e selfe same manner did Rodrigo Reinel, write vnto him, who lay as then ve­ry sicke, and afterward dyed, which the king of Calycut hearing, commaunded to be taken all that he had. This being knowne to the Moores of Coching that the king of Calycut was in Repelyn, they wold haue giuen occasion to the townes men to haue runne away, but there was none that durst venture to doe it, for feare of the Captaine Generall. Who after that he knew for certeintye of his béeing in Repelyn, and that all men might vnder­stand how little he did estéeme the king of Calycut and his power, and armie of ships, did one night set vpon a towne of the countrie of Repelyn, at such houres when all were a sléepe, and did set fire to the same. And after that it was well kindled, our men were knowne, and immediatly there came many Naires,The cap­taine generall & his men inforced to re­tire vnto theyr boates. as wel of the towne, as also from other places thereabouts adioyning. The Captaine Generall was forced to retire, & that with great daunger, vnto his boats, with fiue of his men hurt, and of his enimies there were many slaine and hurt, & yet for all that, those enimies that remained aliue, followed him a good while. And as our men returned toward Coching, there were shot by them so ma­ny arrows which fell vpon their boates, that their targets were all couered with the same.

This being knowne to the king of Coching, that he was come to the Castle, he went to visit him, for that he accoun­ted [Page] that enterprise for a great matter, in especially the king of Calycut béeing there present, who had in a readinesse so greate and mightie a power, and so he saide. At the which the Captaine Generall laughed, and therewithall he tolde him that he woulde desire no more but that the King of Calicut would once come, for that he woulde fight with him a battaile, and then woulde be apparaunt the valiant­nesse of his men. They of Coching béeing now all quiet, as also the Captaine general hauing made vnto the principals an Oration, he prepared his men in a readinesse for that he minded to depart to the straights of Cambalan. And in the meane while he left in the shippe xxv. men with the master, which was called Diego Perrera, whom he lefte for Cap­taine in his absence, and also as well furnished with Ordi­nance and shot, that they might defend themselues the bet­ter. The names of those that tarried with him I do omit, as also those that remained in the Castle. Those that the Captaine Generall carried with him, were to the number of xxiiii. men: and in one of the boats he appointed for Cap­taine, him that went for Captaine in the Caruell Santa Maria, whiles she was a rigging, with xxii. men. The cap­taine Generall went in another boate, in the which with himselfe there were one and twentie men. Amongst them all their number was lxxiii. men, who all both those that were in the Caruell, and those that were in the boats, béeing all confessed, and hauing receiued the Sacrament, the Captaine Generall departed to the straights of Camba­lan, 1504▪ on the Fryday before Palmes Sunday, being the xvi. of Aprill. 1504.These words the Captaine Generall speake vn­to y^e king at his de­parture to vvards the passage. Thus departing with great pleasure, and with shooting of their Ordinaunce, leaping, and dauncing, when they came ouer against Coching, the Generall landed to talke with the king, which was tarrieng for his cōming by the water side, so heauie and so sadde, that he coulde not hide the same. The Captaine Generall making as though he vnderstood nothing of it, said vnto him: that thee they were all ready with great pleasure and good will, to depart toward the passage, to defend him from the king of Ca­licut, [Page 135] whom they went to séeke out, that he shoulde vn­derstand that they had no feare of him. The king smiled at these words, as it were suspecting his good successe. Notwith­standing, he appointed him 500. Naires (of fiue thousande which he had in armes) of the which he named for Cap­taines, Gandagora, and Frangera, which were ouerséers of his householde, and Caymal de Palurta, to whome hée gaue commaundement that they should obey the Captaine gene­rall as his owne person. This béeing done, the king stoode and viewed all our Fléete, who at that time shewed him­selfe to be very heauie, to sée how few we were in compa­rison of the great power of the king of Calicut, and vppon the same tooke occasion to speake vnto the Captaine Gene­rall, saieng.

THere was represent vnto him the great danger which he feared might happen vnto him,the vvords of y^e king of Co­ching to the cap­taine ge­nerall. and that which chan­ced to himselfe this last yeare. And therefore doe I desire thée, quoth he, to encourage thy selfe to doe that which thou art able, and not to suffer thy heart to deceiue thée, but to remember how much the king of Portingale shall loose in loosing thée: and with those wordes his eyes stoode full of water, which to sée, the Captaine Generall was very sorie, and sayd vnto him.The ann­svvere the captaine generall made to y^e king of Coching.

That better are a few and valiant, then a great multi­tude and cowards. And whether (sayd hée) our men be vali­aunt or not, your selfe haue well seene, & also how contrary­wise it fareth with the enimies, your selfe likewise haue had experience. He inferred also howe in that place where hée minded to tarrie for his comming, ‘théere néeded but a fewe to defend him.’ And therfore he praied him for to be content, and therewith he departed, and came to the passage of Cam­balan, two houres before day, where finding no signe of the comming of the king of Calycut, he went in the meane while, and did set vpon a towne of the selfe same Ilande of the Caimalls, where in the dawning of the day he arri­ued in the Harbour, a long the which there was appoin­ted. 800. Nayres to kéep the same, which were Archers, and [Page] a few with their Caléeurs, which were there tarying for him. And although those with their calyuers, and the re­sidue with their arrowes, shot of at our men, in such ma­ner that they séemed to shadow the Element, yet with the paueices of our boates, the which were made of boards of two fingers thicke, much like vnto Targets or shields, we did so defend them of, that they wer driuen to row toward the land, which was done for that those y^t wer there shuld geue place, y^t our men might leap a land. Then y^e Captaine generall cōmanded his ordinance to be shot of, with y^• which they lept a land: howbeit, y^e enemies returned vpon them, & therin shewed thēselues to be valiāt, for y^e space of an houre. But afterward they fled apace, & many of thē in the conflict, at y^t presēt wer both slain and hurt at our mens hands. But after that our men had set fire to the towne, and the same was well kindled, the captaine generall did retire, & going toward the passage, in their way they toke and killed much cattell which they carryed with them: and although the people of the countrey did defend themselues very wel, yet our men being come to the passage of Cambalan, the Cay­mall sent to make peace with the captaine generall, with a certaine present, which he would not receiue, neither yet make peace with him, for that he was an enemie vnto the king of Coching. Whereupon the next day after, the king of Calycut sent him word that he would geue him the bat­tell,Heere the battell vvas offe­red by the king of Calicut vnto the captaine Generall. and also that he was greatly offended that he had pla­ced himselfe where he did minde to enter. And moreouer, it was tolde him that they did all affirme, that the kinge of Calycut was like to geue him the ouerthrowe and to take him prisoner, or els to kill him in the battell.

To the which the captaine generall answered, that the selfe same hope he had to doe by the king, the rather in ho­nour of the daye, which was a solemne feast amongest the Christians, adding moreouer y^t his wytchys had disap­pointed & deceyued him much, to promise him the victory in such a day. Then a certaine Nayre which came with this Messenger, hearing the Captaine generall say so, answered [Page 136] him, and that with a smiling countenaunce, as though he had mocked him, that there were very few men to doe y^• which he spake of: & also y^• the king of Calicuts men were so many, y^• they were sufficient to couer the whole earth & the water. Which if it be so, how (said he) can they be ouer­come. With this answere y^• Captaine generall was great­ly offended, & for that he was thought to be one of the king of Calicuts Nayres, he boxt him well, willing him to bid the kings of Calicut reuenge the same. With the which the others that came with the message, were so greatly afraid, that they neuer durst afterward auouch the king of Calicut.

That same euening the King of Coching sent to ayde the Captaine Generall with fiue hundred Nayres, of the which he made no account, nor of the others before, for that he knew they would all run away. In our men, next vnder God, hée had his confidence and whole truste, who all that night made greate feaste, that the kinge of Calicut might vnderstande that they did not feare him, but rather shewed great forwardnes to geue him y^• battell, of the which y^e Captaine general was very glad. And ther­fore before it was day,The cap­taine generals words spoken vnto his mē. he spake vnto al his men in this mā ­ner. Masters and my friends, for the great content that I doe finde in you. I doe for most certain prognosticate the great gift y^t God in his seruice wil geue vnto vs this day. And I doe beleue for most certaine, ‘that as God hath geuē vs stomacke (being so few as we are) to dare tary & abide so many thousands of men as there are of our enemies: so he will geue vs force and strength to resist them, & herein wil shew his great power, & as it were a miracle so greate as this is, in y^e exalting of his holy faith: and in his holye name I do desire you, that you wil so beleue, for y^t without this hope, although we were as many as the enemies are, and they as few as wee bee, yet all our strength were nothing, and being in this hope, all the multitude of the enemies will séeme vnto vs but few to ouer come: for they doe iudge vs to be many more then wee are, their feare is such. And this also you may beleeue, that if their [Page] comming as at this day with their great presumption bée, for that they are many, hauing most assured hope to take vs, yet they will haue a feare from hence forth, so that theyr spirits will be broken, to set vpon vs any more, which thing if they did, it would be more for feare of the king of Caly­cut, then for any good zeale they haue vnto him. And there­fore I pray you remember, that with this confidence you must fight, and God shall giue you the victorie, and that with honour of all the Portingales, and a perpetuall fame amongest the straungers, and deserts before our king, that he may reward you for the same, wherby you shall the bet­ter mainteine your selues all the dayes of your life.’

Vnto these words they all aunswered, that in the bat­tell he shoulde well sée how well they did remember his speach. And immedialy they fell vpon their knées and sung the Salue regina in tune, & afterward an Aue Maria with a lowde voice. At this present came Larenco Moreno from the Castle, who brought with him foure of his Caléeuer men, for they would néeds exercise themselues in this bat­tell. The Captaine Generall was very glad of their com­ming, for that they were very valiant.

How the king of Calycut gaue battaile vnto the Cap­taine Generall in the straights of Cambalan, and how he had the ouerthrow. chap. 67.

THis night by the perswasion of the Italian runagates, the king of Calycut commaun­ded to be made a plat-forme or s [...]once, on the which there might be placed fiue pée­ces of Ordinaunce, the which might stand right ouer against wher the Captaine Ge­nerall was, that from thence they might shoote off their or­dinaunce, at what time they meant to giue the onset, and for that the straightnesse of the passage was a daun­ger vnto him. So on Palmes sunday the king of Calycut marched forward, with xlvii. thousand men, the which were [Page 137] as wel of the Naires as of the Moores: besides that he went accompanied with the king & Caimalls, which were come vnto him, to aide and succour him, not onelye with their owne persons, but also with their men. That is to say, the king of Tanor with foure thousand Nayres:The kings and Cai­mals that assist the king of Calicut a­gainst the Portin­gales. the king of Bybar, and of Curran, which is hard by the Mountaines of Narsinga, with twelue thousand Nayres: the king of Co­togataco, which standeth betweene Cananor and Calicut, hard by the Mountaines, with eightéene thousand Naires: The king of Cur [...]a, which is betwéene Panane and Gran­galor, with thrée thousand Naires: Also Nabeadarin, which was Prince of Calycut and Namboa his brother, and the king of Calycut himselfe, who had a great number, which for that they were many, I doe not rehearse. The sortes of instruments that they had for the wars were so many and diuerse, that when they began to play vpon the same, it was thought that heauen and earth woulde ioyne together. Ouer & besides the great multitude of the people, the which did couer the whole earth. Those that went in the vangard, as soone as they came to their setling, did giue fire to theyr ordinance, which as they lay néere to the Caruel, so it appe­red partly a miracle, that there was no péece that did hurt it. Howbeit our Ordinance béeing shot off, did all light full amongst the enimies, and killed many of them, although it was before day, the which vntill Sunne did rise, were in discharging out of the Caruell, aboue xxx. péeces.

After all this, the whole Fléete of the enimies beganne to come out of the riuers of Repelyn, which were 169. Foystes, that is to say, thrée score and sixe Paraos, the which hadde theyr defence of sackes of Cotten, which deuise was giuen them by the Italians, that our Ordinaunce shoulde not hurt their men.

Each of theyr boates or Paraos had two péeces of Or­dinaunce in them, and fiue and twentie men, of the which there were fiue in euery Parao that had their Caléeuers, and all the rest were bow men.

Also there were twentie of these Foysts, all cheined to­gether, [Page] for to set vpon the Caruell. Also there were liii. Catures, beside thirtie greate Barks, each of these hadde his péece of Ordinaunce, and sixtéene men, which serued in him with sundry kindes of weapons.

Besides all these armed vessells, there went other fur­nished with men, which béeing all together, it seemed that the whole riuer was couered ouer, in the which Fléet were well néere x. thousand men, and of this fléete was Adme­rall Nabeadarin, and for Vice Admerall the Lorde of Re­pelyn. Certeinly to see them altogether vpon the water and lande, was a greate terrour, all of them béeing halfe na­ked, some of coulour blacke, and others of a darke Taw­nye. And vppon their weapons the Sunne did so glister, that they appeared as though they had béene swoordes, and newly ground, and so lykewise did their targets, the which were of sundrie coulours, and shewed very gallant. And for that our men should stand in the more feare of them, they gaue out great cries and laroms. After this they beganne to sound vppon their instrumentes of warre, which noyse contynued alwayes, nowe after one sorte, and then after another.

Our men bearing amongst such a multitude, and bée­ing in theyr Caruell and theyr boates, coulde scarcelye bée discerned, for with the Fléete, they occupyed almost all the passage, by meanes of ropes they gaue the one the other, which ropes were wounde about with cheynes, that they should not cut them a sunder. And after that they hadde done this, commaundement was giuen, to giue fire to the Ordinaunce, with the which the enimyes were recei­ued.The Naires of Coching do all run avvay▪

At this instaunt those Nayres that were of Coching did all runne awaye, onely Grandagora and Frangora re­mained for that they were in the Caruell: otherwise they woulde haue gone as the others did, which had bene no matter, but that they should sée how valiantly our men de­fended themselues in the battell, into the which they went in a great heate.

[Page 138] The Ordinaunce went off so often, and lykewise the small shot, that there was none that coulde see one another, for the smoake of the same. The Caruell and the Boates did so flame in fire, and did so cruelly handle the enimyes at the first entering, that there were torne in péeces some of their Paraos, and manye of their men slaine and hurt, without any of ours hurt, or standing in any daunger ther­of at all. By this time, the enimyes were come, within the throwe of a Dart. Howbeit, as they were many, and that without order, the one did hurt and hinder the other, so that they could not fight. Yet notwithstanding, the xxv. Paraos that went before, did trouble our men very much with theyr Ordinaunce which they had, for that they went chei­ned together.

Our men being wearied and hurt, and the bat­taile hauing endured a good while, the Captaine Generall commaunded a Saker to bee shotte at them,The eni­mies vtterly discomfited, doe run their vvaye. the which till that time had not béene shot at the enimies. And after that the same was twice discharged, they all fledde, and for that they laye very thicke together, it did immediatlye sinke foure of them, and with that they were all ouercome, and so they ran theyr waye. The residue of the Paraos which did continue in the battaile, were eightéene sunke, and thir­téene fledde awaye, the residue gaue place, in the which there were of the enimyes greate numbers slaine and hurt.

After all this came the Vize Admerall called the Lord of Repelyn, with another squadron, and gaue a proud onset, so did the king of Calycut giue the lyke vpon the land. This battaile was farre more vehement then the first, in the which were manye more of the enimyes slaine, then before, as appeared by the water which was of the coulour of bloud. Yet for all this, the Lorde of Repelyn made lowde outeryes, commaunding them to laye the Car­uell aboorde, but for all that they durst not venture to doe it, but rather were desirous to goe theyr waye, as they also that were a land did the like.

[Page] It was now at this present past Euensong, from the time the battell did first beginne, in the which were of the eny­mies slaine, not onely by land, but also by water. 350. men, which were knowne, besides others, the which were aboue a thousand: and of our men there were some hurt, but none slaine. And although theyr pellets were made of cast yron, yet they did no more hurt, then a stone béeing throwne. Howbeit, our defences were all torne in péeces, and one of our boates also, neuerthelesse, not in such sorte, but that it might bée new rigged before that it was night.

How the king of Calicut seeing the ill successe that hee had in the warres, did enter into councell to leaue the same. Chap. 68.

THose kings and noble men which came to succour and aide the king of Calicut, per­ceiuing that he was thus ouerthrowne, and that with great losse both of his men & vessells, although his power were great, and ours but very smal, & that the captain Generall neuer made any reckoning of the king of Calicut nor of his force, but for al that did ouerrun the Countrie, & destroyed it, some there were of them that made a greate wonder thereat, & sayd that our God did fight for vs, wher­vpon they lost all the hope they had for euer to giue vs the ouerthrowe, and from thence forth they had themselues in no reputation, but rather were very sorie that it was their euill hap to come in the aide of the king of Calycut. Those that did most repent themselues of their comming, wer sub­iects to the king of Coching, for that their countries were scituated along the riuers, which did put them in the more feare of the Captaine Generall, that he wold set fire to their townes & houses, or otherwise destroie them. And for that cause, they determined to leaue the king of Calycut, & wold make no more wars against our men, more thē that which was past alreadie.

[Page 139] And vpon this condition, they returned to the king of Co­ching, with whom they reconcyled themselues, and those that did thus were, one called Marugata, Muta Caymal, and his brother, and Cousins, who immediatly after the battaile, did so secretly depart from the kinge of Calicuts Campe, from whence they went to the Iland of Vaypin, to stay there, till they might see their time, as I haue sayd. But when the king of Calicut had knowledge that they were gone,The king of Calicut much blameth his captaines for being ouer­throvvne by so fevv▪ and also vnderstoode where they were become, he was very sory therefore, which also was the occasion that he renewed all his griefe, that hee had conceyued for his ouerthrow, which he had receyued at our mens hands, that were so few. Wherupon he tooke occasion to rebuke his captaines, saying, that they were good for nothing, and that through their defaulte our men continued and kept these passages. And if so he, that they had had any shame, they would or this time haue dryuen them from thence, in especially hauing geuen so often the enterprise to passe the same. Then those two Italians that were presente, did replie vnto the king, that although our men had done most valiantly, yet that which they did was like vnto the dedes of desperate men. Notwithstanding, that they were not a­ble to defende themselues long, from such a power as his was, in especially, not hoping to haue any succour. And therefore they willed him to set vpon them often times, for by that meanes it was possible to take them. Some also of those kinges and noble men that came to succoure the king, and that were desirous of warres, did confirme that which the Italians had saide before, addinge moreo­uer, that God doth permitte his enemies sometime to haue the victorie, for a more greater losse vnto them, and there­fore it were good saide they, that he followed his friends counsell, and prooued their stedfastnesse. And although it were so, that he had not the victorie immediatelye, yet hee should not therefore dispaire. The king finding himselfe somewhat vexed in minde with those wordes, aunswered them saying. Although that eche of you is so valiant, that [Page] it appeareth vnto you,the kings aunsvvere vnto this aduice. a small matter to ouercome those Christians, yet I am not so obstinate to thinke the same. Howbeit I suppose yet, that you doe sée in me no such a feare, ‘that thereby you might iudge it néedefull, to streng­then me with those words. For what can you tell me in this case, that you may satisfie me withall? For if so bee, that you will consider as much as I doe, you would soone know, how great an acte this is, that you doe make so lit­tle accompt off. I doe not take it in vs for so great a victo­rie in ouercomming these Christians, but rather in them, in defending themselues from vs, as they haue done. Wher in it hath well appeared,’ No doubt but God doeth fight for his ser­uants▪ that their God did fight for them.

And will you sée how it is so? You maye well consider, that our men are many, and that they haue bene valyant in the warres past, it hath well appeared in many and great battailes, wherein I haue ouercome mine eni­mies, ‘as you do all well know. But since they haue fought with these Christians, they séeme to be (not as they were) nor durst giue the onset vpon them, for the feare they haue conceiued. And certainly, as farre as I can learne, and al­so all those that are of a good iudgement, we ought to be­léeue, that those workes are rather of God, then of man. For who is he that would not be afeard of them, wel per­ceiuing that all others are? I meane not onely the King of Cochings subiects which came to succour vs, who haue repented themselues thereof, but also manye other of our friends, which in the beginning of these wars did also aide vs.’

‘And farther, I am enformed by some, that they haue now offered their friendship vnto the King of Coching. Which thing, if it be true, it is for that they haue lost the hope they had of any victory on our part, as well for that which is past, as also reputing how lyttle time there is now lefte of the Summer, and also for that in the Win­ter they cannot remayne anye time to continue in the Fieldes, because of the great stormes and raine, which would then be.’

[Page 140] ‘And in the ende of the winter, then will there come the Fléete from Portingale, which will doe vs as much harme as the fléete did the last yere, and so I shall neuer bée out of vnfortunate mischiefes, but thus in the end I shall be vt­terly destroyed.’

‘All this shall be that I shall gette, with the losse of the friendship of the Christians. And it is possible that for theyr causes the Pagodes will not aide nor helpe me as they haue done before time. For although you tell me,’ that they doe permit sometime their friendes to suffer persecution for their profit,God cha­sticeth mē sometime for theyr trial som­time for their of­fences. do you not thinke the same also to happen for their offences, as it is well knowne this doth for mine. What then shall néede any further exhorta­tions, to cause me to doe as you would haue me, and to suf­fer persecution for my wealth, since I doe vnderstand what the same meaneth: and for the preseruing of mine estate, it is requisite and needfull to haue friendshippe with the Christians, ‘if so be that you be also of the same minde, for that we are all equall in the losse, and also in the gaines.’

For this talke of the kings, they were all sorrie that had giuen him counsell to go forward in these wars, since that they perceiued that his intent was to leaue the same, and haue friendship with the Captaine Generall. These there­fore would forthwith haue aunswered, but the Prince Na­beadarin didde preuent them, who was sorrie for these warres commensed, and spake thus looking vppon them all.

SInce the king doth aske vs counsell what is best to be done in this matter,The Prin­ces Orati­on vnto the King & Nobles assembled▪ which standeth him so much vp­pon, I as one that most of all am gréeued with this losse, and most desirous of his profite, will therefore bée the first that shall shewe heerein my minde, and what I doe thinke thereof. ‘In that which you saye, that oftentimes the Pagodes in the time of the persecutions that we do receiue [Page] will commaund vs to doe that which they will haue vs, so we ought to vnderstande them, although therefore in these warres it appeareth that it goeth very euill with vs, and in this they doe shew how much they are our frends, truely I doe beleue the same, the rather for that we ought not to beleue them that would haue a matter done with­out reason, as it were to geue vs the victorie against those Christians, and power to destroy the king of Coching, vn­to whom we haue done very much hurt, killynge the laste yeare his Princes and almost all his men, setting of Co­ching a fire, and destroying his countrey, from whence we hunted him away, with his great discredite, dispossed him of his kingdome & subiects, so that al they for the feare they had of vs did leaue him, yea his own frendes forsooke him, & went against him, & all for our sake. And aboue all these euils the which he did not deserue, for y^t he was not in any fault, we would yet procéed further, vtterly to destroy him. What hath he done? Did hee procure to take anye mans countrey from him? No. In friendship did he vse himselfe traiterously? Neither. Did he commaunde the Marchantes that they should not come to Calicut? Neither, Did he thē some worse thing since he did nothing of these? Nothing at all. What then? forsooth for y^t he did receiue into his countrey the Christians which being driuen out of Ca­licut, went to séeke him out, as he was desirous to encrease and enpeople his Citie, and to augment hys estate and ri­ches: Shall we therefore destroy him being our friend, as an enemie? With this right doe the Pagodes helpe vs to take the honor, riches and credite from the right owner? It cannot be so, for that they be righteous and iust, and ther­fore they will not help vs agaynst those Christians which were slayne, robbed, and thrust out of Calicut, and were there receiued vnder safeconduct from the king, comminge to his porte before any others, and not geuing cause wher­fore they should receiue so many iniuries. If wee doe it for that they laide hande vpon a Shippe of the Moores, there is no reason why, for that the Kinge commaunded [Page 141] them to stay the same: And if he had ben aduised by al men as he was by me, the Moores should haue paid for that they ha done & that very well, for & if they had ben punished, it wold wel haue appered, y^t the king had ben in no fault of y^t which they had done. And this had bene sufficient to haue confirmed the friendship of the Christians with him, & this also would haue bene a cause sufficient, to haue kept them in Calicut from going to Coching, to haue there setteled a trade, whom the King through euill councell hath trauay­led so much to take them, as though they were théeues that had robbed him of his owne, they being so good, so gentle, so valyant as we sée,Amongst other vertues grate fulnes cō ­mended. and besides so gratefull of the bene­fite they doe receiue. For the receiuing of them as y^e King of Mylinde did, they gaue ouer two ships laden with gold, the which they had taken from a Cousin of his. If these men were Théeues, as the Moores doe say they are, those were prices not to be left. You know how rich a Present they brought to the King, and what ritch merchandise they brought, and how much golde and siluer. Those fishermen which they did carrie away naked, did retourne againe all apparailed. If then we were friends, how surely should we liue: & what profit should the King haue, if we had amitie with them. I do not speak of y^e ship y^t carried y^• Elephants which was giuen him: when all y^• prises did passe by these théeues hands, the which they left. These were seruices to be thankfully receiued, giuing occasion to vs to gratifie thē in like sort, and to be glad to haue them for our friends, & since we did put them awaye when they had néede of vs, now that we haue néede of them, let it not be thought euil, to conclude a peace with them, for that the wars we make against them, we make the same against our selues. They are vpon the Sea of more power then we are, as you may well sée the same by the long time they haue defended this passage, and with what power of men, and also what de­struction they haue brought vppon vs, and are like to doe, since that our Countrey lyeth néere to the water side, and that with our owne losse, we haue well séene the truth. [Page] Therfore let it go no further, but let vs séeke some remedie to haue a peace concluded amongst vs: for if we haue not, y^e port or harbour of Calicut wil be vtterly vndone, & the king wil be like to loose all his rents. This doth concerne him more then al y^• friendship of y^e Moores, which haue no other respect but only to their owne profit, & not to the kings, & these be they that go giue councell to make these warres.’

Hovv the councell of the prince Nabeadarin vvas gainsaid, & hovv a certein Moore of Calicut did inuent the making of certein castles of timber, vvith the which they might lay the caruels abord. ca. 69▪

THe king of Calicut all this while gaue great eare to y^• which y^e prince his brother had said, & immediatly answered y^t he was in y^• fault, as touching y^• which was past, & had repented himselfe to haue taken y^e enterprise in hand. And therfore he desired them al, to enter into councel with his brother, & to take some good order for y^• cōcluding of peace w^t vs: which was not wel thought of by y^• Lord of Repelin, for y^t he was cōfederate with y^e Moores to hinder y^e same,The Lord of Repe­ [...]ns aunsvvere to the prince in the [...] house. & after y^t the king had ended his talke, he spake in this manner following According as y^• Malabars are cōstant, so I do well beléeue, y^t frō hence forth they wil not haue thée in any reputation, if thou shuldest do as thou saist, for y^t they would impute y^• same rather to cowardnes, then to any reuelatiō or forewarning of y^e Pagodes. This is a matter not wel to be thought of, much lesse thē to be spokē of amongst persons of honor as héere are, ‘& with so great a power, with hope of many more if there were néed: for al y^e noble men of y^• Malabars are redy for y^e same, hauing great cōfidence in thy valiantnesse, & therfore did choose thee to be head of this war. And now, wilt thou leaue y^e same without receiuing any hurt in thy person, with y^t which thou migh­test excuse the same, not to die in thy demaund. But retur­ning whole, & with many of thine whole, what wil they say but y^t for y^e feare of so few strangers thou giuest ouer y^• thou hast begun w^t so great a heat, & that thou runnest away not being ouercome? With this thou shalt loose thy credit y^• thou haddest with all men, which since it is so, were thou not bet­ter die, then to liue dishonored? I maruel much y^t the prince [Page 142] did not consider this, which is y^• principal matter y^t he shuld make rekoning of, as one y^t doth esteeme thine honor, I y^t do also estéeme y^e same, do not councel y^e king to giue ouer the wars, although I should sée y^e Pagodes cōmand thee, for ra­ther death is to be wished, then such obediēce. Go forwards therfore in these wars,’ for so y^e Pagodes wold haue thée do, & do not contrary vnto this aduise.The dissi­mul [...]ng vvorfs of y^e Moores to y^e King. The Moores y^r wer pre­sent hearing al this talk, which was to their contēt, did fur­ther y^e same as much as in thē lay, setting forward y^e king, praising him to be inuincible, laieng before him y^• infamy he shuld incur, if he did leaue y^• wars: they offred him moreo­uer their persons & goods towards y^e same, alleadging y^e in­creasing of his rents with their trade, plenty of victuals in his city with their being there, declaring also y^• old friend­ship they haue had with him, & how they were become na­turall inhabitants of his country, with many other things, vnto y^• which y^e king wold not answere, neither yet his bro­ther, for y^t al those kings & Lords did help y^e Moores aduise, & so it was concluded y^t the wars shuld go forward. And for y^• it had gone with y^e king so euill in y^• foord, they found a new inuention to lay the caruels a boord, which a certeine Moore of Repelin made called [...], who had ben a tra­uailer, & seene sundry inuentions deuised. And for y^• cause ha­uing a pregnant wit, he inuēted a castle to be made of tim­ber, built vpon two boats or lighters, placing two beames crossewise ouer y^e forepart of the said boats, & the sterne or poope of y^e boats to be as broad as y^e castle long, y^t which ca­stle was made square, & vpon those beams were other pla­ced, so high as as a chāber from a hall, & in euery square were quarters of timber thick set together, of y^e height of a lance, or little lesse, mortased in y^e said beams, & nailed with great yron nails, & in y^e bodies of y^e quarters of timber wer holes made, through y^e which went bars of yron. so y^• to sight the castle séemed a strong thing. In this castle might. 40. men be wel placed, besides certein péeces of ordinance, so that in this wise this castle might passe y^e riuers, & w^t grapuls ioyn w^t y^e caruels, which being dōe y^e king desired y^e sight therof, & whē he had seen y^e same, did not only praise his wit, but also [Page] rewarded him very largely, and by the same paterne com­maunded other seauen to be made, that vpon them the Car­uells might dispend their times, & occupie themselues, thin­king that euen so it would be.

Of the great alteration there was in Coching, about these Castles, and what pollicie the Captaine found to defend the Caruell from them. Chap. 70.

IMmediatly after, was the Captaine gene­rall aduertised by espies that he had sent of these castles, and that the enimies were also making in readinesse certein fireworkes, y^• therwith they might burne y^• caruells, & if they could not burne y^e same, y^• then with these castles, they might lay the said Caruel aboord: As soone as the dwellers & inhabitants of Coching heard of these ca­stles, they were therwith grealy afeard, least y^t the enimyes would take Coching, & with that did make themselues in a redinesse to flie from thence, for the which the king of Co­ching was very sad, supposing y^• indéed with these Castles, his enimies wold take his country from him. After this, cer­teine of the inhabitants of Coching went to y^e Captaine ge­nerall, to aske him whether he was able with his caruells to defend himselfe from these castles. Whervppon the Cap­taine answered & askt of them, wherefore they demanded y^• question, séeing y^• they did well know, that from a greater power then this, he had made them flie with broken heads, & so he doubted not, but he would doe againe. With this answere, y^e inhabitants of Coching were fully satisfied, & so minded not to remoue themselues from thence, vntill such time the battell were fought. The Captaine general for to encourage them the more,A Calue­te, and vvhat the meaning thereof is. commaunded before them all to pitch a long staffe in the ground, the which was made sharp at y^• one end. The same amongst the Malabars is called Cal­uete, vpon y^e which they do execute iustice of death: vnto the [Page 143] poorest or vilest people of the country: insomuch y^• if they say to a Naire, Naire Caluete, they take the same for a greater reproch then any other. This Caluete being pitched on this sort, the Captaine generall did then sweare, to spit vpon the same the king of Calicut, if so be that he did fight with him, & so forthwith he commaunded in dispraise of the king of Calicut, y^• all his men should say with a lowd voice, Sa­murin Caluete. At this sight the inhabitants meruailed to sée y^e stoutnesse of y^• Captaine, & so minded to remaine & kéep the towne. But for all this, the Captaine Generall was in­wardly moued in spirit, for feare y^t indéed they wold lay his caruels a boord, & that for lacke of men. Howbeit y^e better to defend them from y^e same, he commanded to be made a cer­teine Caniso, y^e which was made w^t certeine masts of ships, ioyned the one to the other, & bound with great bolts and hoops of yron These masts wer of eight fathom of length, & as many of breadth, & were placed from y^• Caruels a good stones throw. And for y^• the eb nor yet the floud should car­ry y^e same away, ther wer laid out sixe great ankors, thrée of them vpon the floud, & the other vpon the eb, y^• made the same the surer. And for that the Caruels should remaine so high as y^• castles, one Peter Raf [...]l considering these deuises, deuised also to encounter with the height of those castles, to make certeine turrets of halfe masts, which were set vp­right, and made fast a boord the caruell, in the which turrets seuen or eight men might fight at plesure in each of them. This being done, one morning before day ther came to visit the Captain general the king of Coching, of whose cōming the Captaine was very glad, for y^t he had heard how fear­full he was, & therfore he gaue him a good countenance, yet for all this, the king could dissemble no lōger, but presently his eies did run downe with water, & with y^t he embraced the Captaine general, & cōmanded those noble men y^t came with him to do y^e like, which was done with so sorrowfull a countenance, as though it were y^• last time y^t they should méet. Afterward y^e king did apart himself with y^t captaine & some of our men, & as a man out of his wits, said vnto him. [Page] The King of Calycut hath a great power,The king of Co­chings vvords to the Cap­taine ge­nerall. and we are but few, and that without any hope that I haue to defend Co­ching, or any of my people, who besides are ready to runne away if thou be ouercome. And since that I am vndone, I request thée, that thou doe prouide for thine owne safe­tie, whilst thou hast time, for that afterwards, I doubt thou shalt not haue the same: and therewith, as though he were stopped in the throte, he spake no more.

The Captaine generall shewing himselfe to be angrye with this speach,The aun­svver that the cap­tain generall made to the King of Coching. aunswered him somewhat with cholar, asking him what weaknesse or cowardnesse he had séene in him, that he should will him to prouide for his safetie? And further said, that there or in what place soeuer he was, he was most assured to defend himselfe from the King of Ca­licut, and also doubted not but to giue him the ouerthrow, notwithstanding the great power he brought. ‘And diddest not thou tell me (quod he) all these times past, that God did fight for the Portingales, but now how dost thou doubt of the same? I haue a hope in God, that to morow thou shalt sée the King of Calycut put in that Caluete, and of this I doe not doubt, if he doe tarry me, neither yet thou oughtest to haue any doubt, if thou wouldest thinke vpon the victo­ries that God hath giuen me so oftentimes, the King of Ca­lycut hauing the same aduantage that now he hath. This thou oughtest to beléeue, and not that which the Moores of Coching do tell thée, for y^t they all doe not loue vs, neither yet the alteration of the Nayres should make thée apalde, which are afeard of euery puffe of winde. Repent thy selfe therefore of that thou hast told me, and dispaire not, but re­turne with good courage to Coching, and there also to com­fort and harten thy people, shew thy selfe strengthened, & stay thy subiects from going away, and let me alone with this Passage, for I will giue thée a good accompt thereof.’

‘The King minding not to encrease his cholar,’ did shew himselfe recomforted with his words and comfortable an­swere, trusting that we would defend the Passage, accor­ding to the valyaunt mindes he had founde in vs, and in [Page 144] our Captaine generall: which he did affirme without any doubt of the defence thereof. The Nayre, and all the peo­ple of Coching, vpon their alteration and determination, they made for their departing, beléeuing yet that our men should be ouerthrowen, did therevpon prouoke the Moores to runne awaye, but yet neuerthelesse they would not.

¶How the King of Calycut did giue the Battaile vnto the Captaine generall with his castells, & ow they were all ouerthrowen. cap. 71.

THe King of Coching being departed, the Captaine generall went to his Caruell, shewing himselfe grieued greatly, to sée the King so faint hearted, the which might bée the occasion that Coching might be disin­habited, which he feared very much: and being desirous to suppe with his men, thether came Loren­so Moreno, with those of the Factorie, with whom he was accustomed to come, for (as I haue said) there was neuer any found in the battel of our men, that the enimies could ouercome: The Supper being done, they went to rest themselues till midnight, and being confessed and absolued by the Vicar, the Captaine generall said vnto them.

MAsters and my friends,The Cap­tain generals Oration to his company▪ I am very merie & glad that you doe remember the principall thing, which is your soules, for that I doe well knowe, that with this remem­brance God will haue vs in his high & glorious memorie, to giue vs the victory against our enimies, not onely for the satisfaction of our troubles,‘but also for the increasing of his holy and Catholike faith and that the King of Co­ching and his people might vnderstand, that our God is a true God, and mightie aboue all mighties, and that hée doeth not fayle those which doe put theyr confidence and trust in his name. As for the King of Coching, you did well sée him yesterdaye howe sadde and heauie’ [Page] ‘and without hope he went away [...] in the victo­ry, which God I doubt not hath promised vs, making sure account, that we were all lost, and vtterly cast awaye, per­swading me withall▪ that I shuld in time prouide for mine owne safetie. Surely I did neuer finde in him so much feare, nor yet so great cowardnesse, the occasion therof was, that they heard that the power of the king of Calicut was much greater then it was before. And although it were so great as they doe thinke, yet farre greater without al com­parison is our God, and that haue you well seene in the helps past that he hath sent vs, and euen so now do I hope that he will likewise helpe vs and send vs the victory. And with this hope let vs assuredly trust to ouercome the enimyes, for he will maintaine the honour that wée haue gotten, and from hence forth will so encrease the same, that we should remaine in this worlde for lightes of valiaunt men, and for the same be so feared in the Indias, that nei­ther the king of Calicut nor any else will dare set vpon vs: and the honour being gotten, we shall be assured of rest for the troubles we haue had.’

As he had ended they sayd all, that without the victorye they would not liue.Mē make warres to the intēt to liue in peace. And at this time which was two houres after midnight, some of the Ordinaunce of the fléete of the king of Calycut beganne to discharge, making theyr way towards the Captaine Generall: and the king him­selfe went by land, being accompanied with more then thir­tie thousand men, with his field péeces, as his vse was, and with great hope y^e he should giue vs the ouerthrow, & with this double pride, much more then he euer had, he came for­ward. The Lord of Repelyn marched before with certeine men that should make rampyres of earth in the point of Arr [...]l, for a defence for our enimyes in the battell. He brought with him great noises & cries, with great plea­sure and dauncing, the which the Captaine generall didde heare, and went verie secretly a lande, and placed himselfe in the very point where the enimies shuld come, the which [Page 145] he did defend that the enimies should not make there any rampyers, about the which our men killed some of them. This being knowne to the king of Calicut, that the Cap­taine Generall came thether to méete with him, hée com­maunded his souldiers with a stout stomacke to set vppon him and take him aliue, the better to reuenge himselfe on him at his pleasure. About this there was a great skirmish and many of the enimies were slaine without taking of the Captaine Generall, neither yet could they make theyr rampiers. As the morning came on which was the Ascen­tion day, the other Fléete did appeare, y^• which was not far off, and by this, the Captaine generall was retired vnto his boates, but it was with great trouble, because of the great multitude of the enimies which came vpon him: howbeit he imbarked both himselfe and his men without lacking a­ny of them, but there were of the enimies many slaine and hurt. The point béeing now cléere & vnfurnished, the eni­mies came and placed themselues there, and then they be­gan to shoote off their Ordinaunce at vs, to the which wée did aunswere with ours, dooing them great hurt therewith, for that all our shot went amongst the enimies, where they lay open, and our men were well fenced, therefore their or­dinaunce could doe vs no hurt.The king of Cali­cut being in danger sendeth for succor to y^e rest of his fleete. The king of Calicut séeing this, sent word to his Fléete that they should rowe a pace, and come to helpe and deliuer him from the daunger and feare that our men did put him in. The Fléete being come, it was a fearefull sight to beholde them, for that there was driuen before them certeine raffes, the which went alwaies burning, with intent to set the Caruells on fire, and after them an hundred and ten Paraos full of men & ordinance, & many of them cheined together, and after them a hundred Catures in the same manner, and foure score Tonis de cox­ia ancha, and in each of them thirtie men, besides theyr or­dinaunce, and the eight castles in kéeping of these, the which stoode hard by the point, for that the ebbe was not as yet altogether entered. The enimies came with great clamor, making great laromes and cries, and plaieng vpon instru­ments, [Page] accounting vs as ouercome already, and with this, they shot off so many péeces of Ordinance as it was won­derfull to see, and with their fagots which they brought be­fore them burning, they drew very neere to the Canizo, which was placed before the Caruells, and therefore they could not come to set the Caruels a fire, neither any other of all the Fléete. Wherefore, all those that went before, did ioyne with the Caniz [...], and therewith did giue vs battaile, & without all doubt they had closed with vs at this time, if this defence had not bene. In this sodaine fight which was very great, the battel indured a good while, vntill such time the ebbe came on, and at this time the enimies recei­ued great hurt, not onely in their Fregates that were torne in péeces and sunke, but also many of their men that were slaine and hurte. The Ebbe being come, the Paraos with their Castles did put off from the poynt, and to the ende they should goe the swifter, they were rowed with boats. These came right towards the Caruells, and in the grea­test of them all went fortie fighting men, and in the other of the middle sort in each of them fine and thirtie, and in the lesser sort thirtie men. All these were bowmen & shot, and besides that they did carrie Ordinaunce, and stoode all abroad, which did shewe so terrible and monstrous a front, as was fearful to be séene, the rather being so great a fléet, in comparison of our small power to defend them, we ha­uing but two Caruells & two boats▪ But this was y^e day wherein God did well shew, the great regard he had to pre­serue vs, for that neither the sight of so many men, and so many sorts of wayes whereby they had compassed and be­set vs, neither yet such a Fléete, that was so great and mightye, with the fearefull cryes that the Enimies did make, nor the terrible thundering of the Ordinance, could any wayes discourage or make vs afeard. The greater of the Castles being come hard to this defence, did then shoote off all his ordinance at the Caruels, & the Captaine gene­rall commaunded to shoote at the same with a Saker, the which caused the said Castle to stand wauering, but yet did [Page 146] them little harme, neither yet with another péece that they shot off foorthwith, with the which Captaine generall was so sad,The prai­er of a di­stressed minde in the bitternesse of heart. that he lifted vp his eyes vnto heauen, saieng: Lord, doe not retourne my sinnes to my face at this time, and this he said with such a loude voyce, that some there were that heard the same. In the meane while came the other Paraos, which did set themselues right equal with the first, & with the comming of these, the battell did increase more and more very stoutly on all parts. Their arrowes came so thicke, which made so great a shadow, that sometimes ther appeared neither heauen nor earth, with y^• great smoke of their Ordinaunce. The Captaine generall did tourne, and commaund to shoote at the great Castle the Saker a­gaine, & as with y^• other shot past, they had somwhat shaken their yron works which were not very strong, so with the same shot they presently brake, & after y^t the yron workes were thus broken, some of their beams being likewise cari­ed away, with certeine of their men slaine, with y^• same our men gaue a great cry, & the Captaine general falling down on his knées, gaue God great thankes, & returning to shoot the Saker againe, did carrie away another row of beams, with many more slaine and hurt, and the Ordinaunce be­ing shotte off againe, it was all torne in péeces in a small space, and so the enimies went with their Castle further of, but the others remayned there fighting very stoutly. And after this, both parts endured more trouble all the day fo­lowing, then in all the battells that were past: but in the ende, we did so much hurt vnto their Castles, and sunke and rent so many of their Paraos in péeces, y^• the enimies could not abide the same, & therfore they shrank thence. The fight did endure till euensong time, & began in y^• morning: of the enimies wer many slain, as afterward was séene in y^• wa­ter, & of vs none, nor any hurt, but only brused with a shot which went through y^e Admiral, y^e bullet went among ma­ny that were there, but they receiued no harme.

The Captaine generall séeing the enimies went their waye, followed them in their Boates, and such Paraos [Page] as he had, shooting alwayes at those that were vppon the point Ar [...]aul, with the king, and with the force of their Ordinaunce made them runne away, leauing behinde them slaine thrée hundred and thirtie men. This béeing done, he then returned to his Caruells, where that euening came to visit him the Prince of Coching in the behalfe of the king, who sent to excuse himselfe that he could not come to visit him in his owne person. But he sent him againe word, that he wold receiue no discharge, vntill such time he knew his heuines was past, but praied him frō hence forth to beléeue better in God, for that the daungerous daye of the Castles was past, and he remained in the passage as he did before, all safe, and in readinesse to serue him. The selfe same daie came to visit him certeine noble men, of those that were of the king of Cochings side, with whome there was made great triumph for this victorie: and likewise there went to sée him many Moores Merchants which brought him great presents, supposing to get of him thereby great friendship. He receiued them very gently, praieng them to be true sub­iects to the king of Coching, for thereby they should finde him assured at any time whensoeuer he might stand them in any stéede, wherevpon they faithfully promised so to do, & to binde them the more, he made them very great chéere. Also the next day in the morning the king of Coching came to visit him, who imbraced him with as great gladnesse as could be deuised, saieng that he did wel performe y^e which he had promised, in giuing the king of Calycut the ouer­throwe. But vnto this he answered, that he had not perfor­med all his promise, since that he did not put him on the Caluete, but he was not in fault thereof, for that the king kept himselfe alwayes farre from him. He declared also to the king diuerse other matters of pleasure, which the king answered in like manner, praising very much his valiant­nes, & that he had wel séene y^e God did fight for vs, asking of him forgiuenesse for y^e distrust he had in him, & how great­ly he was bound to succour him, declaring also that the af­faires of Portingale were very great, and confessing lyke­wise [Page 147] that he through his worthinesse had made him king. After this victorie the inhabitants of Coching did cast off the feare they had of the king of Calycut, in such sort, that neuer from thence forth they stoode in anye dread of him, neither yet made account of his habilitye.

Of the counsell which the king of Calycut tooke of his brother, and how hee was gaine-saide: and also by what pollicie & meanes the king of Calycut sought to kill the Captaine gene­rall. chap. 72.

THE king remained greatly ashamed and very sad, for that at the same time he could not ouerthrowe the Captaine Generall, the rather because he neuer accounted any thing more certeine, then to ouer come him in that conflict, because of the Castles which he had prepared for his confusion. And now leauing a side all hope euer to haue the victorie, he desired to haue with vs no more warres, and therefore he called before him into his tents, all those kings and noble men that came to helpe him, and sayd thus vnto them.

YOV doe well sée how little our power profiteth vs a­gainst these men,The king of Cali­cuts oration vnto his noble men. and how little our pollicies preuaileth since they doe not regard vs, and would neuer giue ouer the passage, notwithstanding the greate power we had against them. The like account also they make of vs in their feasts, and pastimes when we goe against them, ‘as though wee were the fewer, and they the more, and as though the land which they are in were theirs, & we were the Christians, whereby it appeareth, they alwayes make account of the victorie for certeine, which either they obteine by witch­crafts, or else their God doth fight for them, which cannot bée otherwise, considering the great victories they haue had [Page] against vs, and the greate hurt that we haue receiued of them. Wherefore I suppose that God would it should be so, for the litle iustice y^t is obserued in these wars, as hath wel appered in the beginning of the same. And if I had ben wel aduised, it shuld not haue gone so farre forward, but in the end I am in the fault, and not they, and since it is so, wée haue therin no right cause, neither canne gette any thing by our strength. Let vs therfore giue it ouer, & desire no more to haue Coching, for that God doth fauour these men, since wel you sée, there is no power in the Indias that can offend vs so long, we being so strong, but these dogs, of whom I am afraid, y^t they will subdue the Indias, according to the acts that they haue done, and the credit that they haue got­ten, especially in Malabar. And that this mishap may go no further, I thinke it shoulde be conuenient to procure theyr friendship, & also it is time to get vs away, for y^• the winter commeth on, & the riuers do increase, & these men do ouer­run all: and this is certeine, y^e if the wars indure, they will come hether & inforce vs to depart with our losse & disho­nor.’ Now y^• first that he asked councell of what was neces­sary to be done, was his brother Nabeadarin, who being an­gry with the king that he wold neuer follow his councel, & leaue the warres, saide: that now he knewe to his cost what he had told him of vs: & since in time he woulde not know it, he asked him what it shuld now profit him for his honour and credit, since y^• then when opportunitie serued he refused his councell, but now he willed him to do what he shuld thinke good, for he could not do amisse. The king bée­ing somwhat broken of his pride, (calling him brother) said that now there was no time to aunswere him after such sort, but to tell him his opinion what he thought best. The prince answered y^• we were venterous,The counsell that the king of Cali­cuts brother gaue him touching the making of peace with the captaine generall. & alwaies remained so assured of the victory, vpon our experienced strength and good fortune, albeit our power were much lesse, so y^e he great­ly doubted we would none of his friendship. And for thée to offer y^e same, said he to y^e king, & they to refuse it, wold be no lesse dishonor vnto thée, then the often ouerthrows y^• thou [Page 148] hast receiued. And since by thy profered friendship, we can­not get so much as we should loose if they refuse y^• same, it were best therefore not to procure it, but to defer it, & make peace with the Captaine general that commeth y^• next yere from Portingale, who considering howe little the wars will profit him, ‘& not being assured of good successe therein, will be the gladder to make peace with thée, & therfore that it may not be thought that we run awaye for feare, let vs stay & not depart, vntill such time it shuld be thought, that y^e necessitie of the winter did inforce vs hence, & then may we wel talke of peace, when possible the Captaine general wil willingly accept the same, doubting that his good fortune may chaunge. And to prouoke & giue occasion the rather to haue his friendship, let vs giue him no more battels in the meane time, since it serueth to no purpose, but to the great losse and confusion of our men.’

This councell of Nabeadarin was reproued by the kings and noble men which were there then assembled, & especially of the Lord of Repelyn, which said that the king ought not to goe away, neither for the greatnesse of the winter that should come, nor yet for the iosse of his men, but rather to continue, giuing vs manye battailes, vntill such time he did take vs, and not onely procured the de­struction of vs in Coching, but also of those that were in Cananor and Coulan. And that immediatly it were expedi­ent they sent men of credit with letters to affirme, that they had boorded our Caruells with their Castles,A subtile deuice by meanes of a lye to haue brought our mē to destructiō but it toke no effect▪ and had also slaine vs all, and taken our sayd Caruells, and therefore that they should kill all those that were there, as they had promised. To the same effect therefore the king did write immediatly and the Moores also, but there was no credite giuen to the same, for that there was other newes sent before, and therefore the last was taken for false. Neuer­thelesse for all that, by the industry of the Moores the which did dwel in those two towns, our men were in great dan­ger, and durst not come out of theyr Factoryes, and in Coulan there was one slaine, but in the other places none, [Page] for afterward messengers were sent from Calycut to the Gentiles, that our men were aliue, and what wée had done. For which cause the king of Calycut was aunswered that they would not kill our men, vntill such time the Captaine Generall was taken, and that he had first giuen him the ouerthrowe, which béeing done, they would conclude with him. This béeing come to the knowledge of the Lorde of Repelyn, both he and the Moores did perswade the king to fight another battell with the Captaine Generall, the which he would willingly not haue done, for that he was wearyed in his spirit, but he could not withstand them, and therefore commaunded the same to bée giuen both by Sea and lande. But in it he had lyke successe as before, so that more through the importunate desire of the Moores then of his owne will, he gaue in his owne person another battell with his Castles, with many more men and vessells then in the other before. This battell endured longer then the other, in which also the enimyes were ouercome, and re­ceiued farre greater losse then euer they did before. With this victorye that we had gotten, the inhabitaunts of Co­ching remained sure from all their enimies, and so likewise did the king, whom afterward came to visite the Captaine generall, being brought in a chaire, with farre greater estate then euer he came before, since the first beginning of all the warres. This being knowne in the campe of the enimies, the kings and noble men that were with the king of Cali­cut, tooke occasion to say vnto him that he shoulde not con­sent, in especially hauing such a greate power as he hadde there present,An aun­svvere vvhich y^e king of Calicut made vn­to certein noble mē ▪ that the king of Coching should haue him in so small reputation, as thereby to iudge himselfe frée from him, & out of his danger. To the which the king of Calicut made answere, y^e the king of Coching had great reson to do that which he had done, in especially knowing his greate power and camp, and yet perceiuing that he could not giue him the ouerthrowe. And since that his euill fortune was such, he desired them not to wish him to go forward in these wars, for that he knewe well and was fully perswa­ded, [Page 149] that continuing the same, he shoulde alwayes receiue the losse, and run daily into greater danger, as by the feare thereof it was apparaunt. And therefore he requested them all to let him alone by himselfe, who so béeing, did imagine againe what course he might best take to reuenge him­selfe.

And after that he came aboord, he called for certeine of his Nayres, in whom he had reposed all his trust, commanding them to go to Coching with some dissimulation, and there to trauaile all that they could to kill the Captaine general, and all such of our men as they could méete withall. And as the Naires are men inconstant, and cannot kéepe counsel longer then they are bethinking themselues therof, therfore immediatly their intent was knowne to the Captaine ge­neral, who from thence forward had a better regard to him­selfe, and vnto the rest of his companye then he had before. And the better to take those Naires which came as Spyes thether, he appointed thervnto two companies of y^• Naires of Coching, commaunding the one to k▪pe dilligentlye a long the foord, and the other a long the riuer, who watched by quarters both by day and night. Whilest this dilligence was vsed, the Captaine Generall had knowledge that this spy was a Naire of Coching, and of the house or stocke of the Leeros, who had attendant vppon him certeine Nayres that were straungers, which appeared to bée lyke those of Calicut.

Nowe hauing certeine knowledge héereof, he so hande the matter, and in such order, that forthwith hée tooke them all prisoners, and béeing brought before him, he com­maunded them to bée cruellye whipped in the presence of those Naires of Coching, and afterwarde to bée hanged. The inhabitauntes of Coching séeing this, requested the Captaine Generall to giue them some other punishment since that they were Nayres, and not to shewe them so great extremitie, but notwithstanding hée wold not graunt vnto anye other punishment, for that they had deserued the same.

[Page] Then all his Captaines sayde vnto him,The Oration of cer­teine cap­tains vnto their generall for his better aduise in administration of iu­stice. that first and before all he should call to remembraunce, the greate trou­bles that the King of Coching hadde susteined for the one­lye mainteining of them, and also howe much it woulde grieue him to heare saye, that such were hanged in his Countrie without his consent.

Also it woulde giue an occasion for such noble men as were with him, to saye that he is a king but for a while, since that his iurisdiction is nowe taken from him. And forasmuch as hetherto he had vsed him alwayes with reuerence, they wished that nowe at the ende he woulde haue him in a greater estimation then euer hée hadde be­fore.

The Captaine Generall hauing considered theyr rea­sons, did allowe of theyr good councell héerein, and cau­sed those Naires to be sent for, that were gone to execu­tion, of the which there were two halfe dead, but those that were liuing hée sent to the king of Coching, aduerti­sing him how that they hadde deserued death, and also the cause why hée hadde not commaunded them to bée han­ged.

The King hearing this, tooke the same in greate ho­nour and estimation, that they were sent him, and espe­ciall for that there were present sundrye of the noble men of his Countrie, and of other places, yea, and Moores al­so, of the chiefest that dwelt in Coching, which did not lette to saye vnto the king to afrunt him withall, that our men were they that commaunded and did not obeye.

But from hence foorthe the Captaine Generall hadde such intelligence, that the subtile dealinges of the king of Ca­lycut, tooke very small effect against him.

How the king of Calicut of pure heauinesse for the ill successe he had in the warres, did put him­selfe into a Torcull, and within a small time after came foorth therof. chap. 73.

IVne béeing now ended, and the winter be­ginning to increase, the Captaine generall thought that it woulde be some cause that the king of Calicut would not tarrie there long. And therfore he was fully minded to set vpon him at the remouing of his camp, for that by experience he knew the small valour of his eni­mies, by such victories as he had gotten in times past, which did therefore animate him the more therevnto, thinking that at such a time he might doe him much harme. And be­ing in a readinesse to vncheine his Mastes, he was present­ly informed that the king of Calicut was reforming a new his Castles, and preparing in a readinesse a greater Fléete then euer he had before, that hée might giue him there­with once more the battaile.A false ala­rome giuē forth by y^e Calicuti­ans to ter­rifie the Portin­gals vvith all. This was but a fléeing newes that was commaunded to be giuen out by the king of Calycut, who did surmise that at the raising of his Campe, which hée was minded to doe, and to goe his waye, the Captaine Generall woulde sette vppon him.

And therefore hée determined, that his departure should be so secretlye done, that no man shoulde knowe there­of but onelye Nabeadarin. For this cause therefore he gaue out, that hée woulde giue the battaile in the pas­sage of Palurte, and also in the Foorde both together, to the ende the Captaine Generall might occupie himselfe in defending them both, and hée himselfe the better steale awaye, as hée didde: but hée gotte nothing there­by, more then hée hadde gotten before.

[Page] After all this, on Saterday in the Euening, which was Saint Iohns euen, on which day they gaue out, that they would giue the battaile, there appeared the whole army of the enimyes as they were accustomed to shew themselues. The Captaine Generall hoping of theyr comming, did tar­rye there all that night, but in the morning he saw no like­lyhood thereof, and meruailing what that shoulde meane, was informed by two Bramenes that the king of Calycut was gone with his whole power vnto Repelyn, and that at that present hée was there.

For this newes hée was very sorrie, but yet for all that hée entered that present daye into Repelyn, where hée fought with many of his enimyes, slewe and hurt a greate number, and so returned to the passage, where he remained yet certeine dayes to ensure Coching the better, which was yet afeard of the King of Calycuts returning, fearing that he would not leaue this passage. Howbeit the Cap­taine Generall was well assured that he would not come there, by reason hée was fallen into such reproch and shame, in the sight of all men, because of his great losses. So that immediatly after that he had past the riuers of Repelyn, he apparted himselfe with his noble men which had accom­panied him in these warres, and said vnto them with wée­ping eyes in this manner following.

FOR a man that is without shame,the kings Oration, made to such princes & no­ble mē as came to aide him in these vvarres. as I am, it is not much to shedde these teares as I doe, the heauinesse of my losse béeing such, as fetcheth the same from my hearte, with the which I am so troubled, that since it is so, that I cannot doe it in publike forte, I will goe into some place where I may do the same without any body that may sée mée. I haue also another griefe which troubleth mée ve­rye sore, ouer and besides my dishonour, which is, for ‘that I am not able to rewarde you for all the greate good will and seruice you haue done mee in these warres, the which I take for so greate a duetye, that if so be that I might sée my selfe discharged of the same, I should bée [Page 151] better contented, then with the getting of Coching. But since it is not Gods pleasure that I shoulde get the victo­rie ouer it, which hath procured my dishonour, so is it not his pleasure and will that I possesse the state of a king a­ny longer, but rather for the amending of my sinnes will ende my lyfe in this Torcull,’ A Torcull is as much as vvith vs an hermi­tage, or such lyke pore kind of solitary relgious place▪ where I meane to continue vntill such time that God hath taken awaye this hatred, which hée hath conceiued against mée. And from this time forward you may dispose of your selues, and do what you shall thinke best with my countrie and subiectes. I doe not offer you my person, forsomuch as béeing a man so vnfor­tunate as I am, it shall not stand with your credite to re­quire his companye, and with this speach hée ended his talke.

But the Princes and Noble men woulde somewhat haue comforted him, and withdrawne him from this his determination, but it could not preuaile, for that he had ful­ly bent himselfe to the contrary, and so with certeine of his Chaplaines he entered into this Torcull.

Now his mother hauing knowledge that he was there, shée sent him word, that for this his sodeine determinati­on she remained as heauie and with as sorrowfull a heart as might bée.The Mo­thers message to y^e King of Calycut, being in the Tor­cull. Informing him moreouer, that through this sodeine chaunce, there hath risen in Calycut a great altera­tion, for that from thence are gone and now are ready to go many & sundrie merchants, and also that the citie is become wonderfully vnprouided of victualls, with the greate feare the inhabitants are in of the Christians: which is the occa­sion ther are no victualls brought thether. But no perswa­sion she sayd,Wher credit is im­paired, it is better to lurke then to runne a­broad vvith dis­honour. could withdrawe him from these wars with the Christians, which from the beginning of the same was a great griefe vnto her: willing him also that in no case he shoulde returne vnto Calycut, vntill he might doe the same with his credit, which was cleane lost alreadie. And there­fore shée counsailed him a while to forbeare, vntill such time he did recouer it againe, and that with victorie, yea, & rather to loose all then to returne without it. [Page] With this message the Kings heauinesse increased great­lye, and he sent immediatelye for his Brother, to whome being come, he gaue him charge of the gouernment of his kingdome. But after that he came out of the foresaid Tor­cull, it was restored vnto him againe.

¶How there came sundry Kings & Princes of the Countrey to demaund peace of the Captaine generall: & also how there came vnto Coching many Moores of Calycut, to inhabite there. Chap. 74.

ALL these Kings and Noble men, which came to serue y^e king of Ca­licut (after that he had placed him­selfe in the Torcul) remained a few dayes in Repelyn, tarrieng to sée whether he did repent himselfe of that which he had done, or not: and perceiuing y^e contrary, each of them repaired toward their Countreyes, whereof the most part of them laye there along the water side. And forsomuch as the Winter began to increase, and they fearing least the Captaine generall would ouercome them all, hauing now lost the hope they had to defend themselues now as before time. Therefore they minded to procure as much as they could,the goodnes of the King of Co­chings nature no­ted in being a meane to procure▪ to be friends and in peace with the Captaine gene­rall. For the which intent as Mediatour for the same pur­pose, they sent to the King of Coching, whom for that his condition and nature was very good; & without calling to remembraunce the iniuries that were past, which they had done vnto him, did vndertake to do the same. Sending them immediatly a safeconduct for their safe comming vnto Co­ching, from whence he went in their company to visit the Captaine generall, whom at their méeting, he earnestly re­quested [Page 152] to receiue them as his friendes,peace for his eni­mies. who aunswered, that for his sake he would so doe. Diuers other Princes also there were, that coulde not come, but yet notwithstan­ding they sent vnto him their Embassadours to conclude this peace likewise. Also sundrye Moores of Calycut that were great Merchants, to the ende they might quietly vse their trade, forsooke Calycut, & came to dwell at Coching, with the consent of the Captaine generall. Others there were that went to Cananor and Coulan, so that the great Trade that was before in Calycut began sodainly to fall. And for that the Moores of Calycut began in this sorte to inhabite in Coching, therefore the Captaine generall wold not leaue this passage, as also for that there came manye & sundry times Paraos from Calycut into the riuers to kéep the same, by Nabeadarins commaundement. Howbeit the Captaine generall met with them and fought with them, and hurt many of his enimies. Moreouer, he oftentimes en­tered into the Lord of Repelyns Countrey to take Cattell for his prouision, & fought with many of his enimies, vpon whom he made great slaughter. One daye by chaunce our men met with certaine Tones of the enimies, the which were in a certaine standing water, and carried them away into the riuers, and made with the enimies a valyant and stout skirmish, in the which was slaine the greatest parte of them, and not one of our men hurt.

After all this,The Lord of Repe­lin, is also reconci­led vnto the cap­tain generall. the Lorde of Repelyn became the Captaine generalls friende, and came to visite him, and brought him for a Present a great quantitie of Pepper, which he had in his Countrey.

¶How Lope Suares de Menesis departed for the Indias for captaine generall of the Fleete that went in the yeare of our Lorde, a 1504. and what more past or euer he came to Ansadina. cap. 75.

[Page] IN the yeare of our Lorde. 1504. the king of Portingale hauing certeine knowledge,1504. that the king of Calycut continued as yet in the warres,The fifte voiage to the Indi­as made by y^e Por­tingales▪ did therfore send to succour our men with a Fléete of twelue great shippes, and appointed for Generall of the same, a Gentleman called Lope Suares de Menesis, who in the time of king Don Iohn the second, had bene Captaine in the Mina. The Captaines of the Fléet were these follow­ing.

Pedro de Mendosa, Lionel Cotinuo, Tristim de la Sil­ua, Lope Mendus, de Vascon Cele, Lope de Abreo, Phi­lipe de Castro, Alonso Lopes de Castro, Alonso Lopes de la Cocts, Pero Alonso, de Aguylar, Vasco de la Siluero, Vasco Caruallo, Pedro Dynes de Sutunell. All these were Gentlemen borne, and some were made Gentlemen by seruice. These also carryed with them many valiant soul­diers, who being imbarked, and the Captaine Generall dis­patched, did depart from Lishborne the .xxii. of Aprill in the selfe same yeare, and continuing theyr voiage on the second day of May, they found themselues right in their course to Cape Verde. The Captain generals orati­on vvhith he made to his captaines, masters and Pilots. Then y^• Captaine generall hauing héere all y^• Fléete together, caused his Captaines, Maisters, and Pi­lots, to assemble themselues, vnto whome he spake in sence following. Willing them to call to remembraunce howe lately they had departed from Portingale, for which cause it was requisite that they were circumspect and diligent, and not to fall into such disorders and extremities as hetherto they haue done, for not looking euery man vnto his charge, and not to suffer one ship leye the other a boorde, as they haue done alreadie, whereby they ranne all into greate daunger. Also there were others he said, that had no regard to kéepe theyr right course, but vnaduisedly there were some that would go before, and others come after, and others by the winde, by meanes of which disorder they might haue [Page 153] cast away themselues. And the better to auoid these daun­gers, and to kéepe the Fléete in good order, he did set down certaine rules in writing by his Scriuenor, and firmed therevnto his name, with the names of the other Cap­taines, which they should obserue and kéepe.

Inprimis,Orders that vvere giuen to euery captain, Ma­ster and Pilot, to keepe the same in their voyage. That all the Fléete, as soone as it is night, shall follow his course, remaining alwayes a sterne the Ge­nerall: and that no ship shall carry other light, then onely that which is in the Bytoke, and within the Captaines cabin. Also, that the Masters and Pilots kéep their watch, and that they haue a good regard, that one ship doe not lay the other a boord, and that they do all aunswere, when the Admirall doth make any signe.

Item, That as soone as it is day, they doe come and sa­lute their Generall, and that in the night they doe not go before him.The pe­nalty laid vppon the breach of these cō ­maunde­ments. He that doeth not obserue these commaunde­ments, shall paye ten Crownes, and be kept in prison, vn­till they arriue there, and that without wages. And for that there was some Masters and Pilots very neglygent, by whose default one ship did lay the other a boord, he com­maunded to remoue them from one ship to another: and by this diligence that was thus vsed, euery man had a re­gard therevnto, and the Fléete went in good order, & neuer after ranne in any daunger. Thus going on their course in the month of Iune, and iudging themselues ouer against the Cape Buena spuransa, there fell vpon them a meruai­lous great storme of winde, with the which all the Fléete ranne two dayes and two nights without sayles, so y^t they were in great daunger to haue bene all cast away, the we­ther being so darke and close, that it séemed rather night, then day.

These two dayes béeing past, they saw certaine signes of lande, the which as it did appeare, could not bée farre off, and for that cause was the weather so close. After that they had discryed y^e same, & were come néere thervnto, then these signes appeared the greater. And therefore the Cap­taine generall commaunded, that out of his shippe there [Page] should be shot two péeces of Ordinaunce, that the others might after the same manner aunswere with the like, and the better kéepe companie the one with the other. This storme being past, they founde missing the ship of Lope Mendez. And the Captaine generall séeing that he hadde lost the sight thereof did not let to goe forwarde on his course.

And so, within certaine dayes through the neglygence of the Officers, one shippe layde the other a boorde, and gaue therewith so great a blow vpon the how of y^e other, that with the same there was opened so great a hole,A great leake giuē vnto one of y^e ships through negligēce of the sailers▪ that they might sée through the shippe verye well, by the which hole there entered such aboundaunce of water vppon a so­dayne, that she was almost sunke. The Captaine gene­rall bare with the same shippe immediately, and came so néere them that they might well heare him, and the great comforte he gaue them, willyng them not to bée a fearde, but to goe forwarde in stopping the leake, without feare to be lost, for that he was there to succour them with his men, which he did sende in his Boats not fearing the Seas, that went so high, nor the daunger that they were in.

And for all that the Mariners of the ship did so work, that or euer it was night the leake was halfe stopped: yet that they might end y^• rest that remayned to doe, the Cap­taine generall commaunded to be made a sign by the same shippe, that the other Captaynes might come and succour him, if there were any such néede. The wether being y^e next daye somewhat calme,The leak stopped, and the daunger thereof past, they sayle for­vvard▪ the leake was wholly ended, the which was stopped with certaine hides nayled therevnto, and pitched vpon.

This daunger béeing past, without anye other mis­chaunce, woorth the writing, they arriued at Monsan­bique on Saynt Iames daye, where the Gouernour re­ceiued him verye well, and sent him great refreshing of fresh victualls, and the Letter that Pedro de Tayde had [Page 154] lefte there for him before hée dyed, as I haue sayd be­fore.

Who vnderstanding by the same, of the warres that the King of Calycut had begunne agaynst our men, didde as soone as the shippe was rigged, and made in a readi­nesse, which they had brought a grounde for the same pur­pose, he departed towarde Mylynde, béeing the first of August. And immediatelye after his arriuall there, the King sent to visite him by one of his principall Moores,Certaine Portin­gales sent vnto the Cap­tain generall for a present. by whome hée sent for a Present sixtéene of our men, the which did escape out of the ship that Pedro de Tayde was Captaine of.

Within two dayes after this, hée departed toward the Indias, and so came to Ansadina, where hée founde two Gentlemen, the one called Antonyo de Saldanua, and the other Ruy Lorenso, which were Captaines of two shippes, and were in groat feare, supposing that our Fléet had bene of the Rumes. Then Antonyo de Saldanua, in­formed largelye the Captaine generall how he departed the last yeare from Portingale for Vice admirall, with Ruy Lorenso, being giuen him in commission to go & discouer the red Sea with the Countreyes adiacent. And how that in doublyng the Cape, they were verye sorelye troubled with a storme, which was the onelye cause of the separa­ting the one of them from the companye of the other. But Ruy Lorenso as he kept his course after their seperation, met by chaunce in the way to Sofala, with a certaine ship of the Moores being laden with much golde, the which hée tooke: & afterward that he had taken the spoyle of the same, hée lefte the Hull in kéeping at Mylynde. Antonyo de Saldanua went to Quardafum, where he tooke many great and excéeding rich prices, without entering at all into the Straights: and from thence he went into the Indias.

And for that he came not to Ansadina before it was the Winter, he was therefore driuen to tarry there with Ruy Lorenso, who hauing passed many dangers, came afterward [Page] thether, where hée past great troubles, for lacke of victu­alls.

¶Howe the Captaine generall came to Cananor, and spake with the King: and how the Gouer­nour of Calycut, woulde haue made peace with him, howbeit he woulde not consent therevn­to. Chap. 76.

THe Captaine generall béeing héere, came thether vnto him Lope Mendez de Vas­con celis, who had lost the companye of his Generall, with the foule wether past. And immediately after that he was come, the Captaine generall made him prest, for his departure towarde Cananor, where he arriued the first daye of September. There the Factor enformed him of the warres of Calycut, and how that he with his other fellowes that remained in Cananor, had séene themselues oftentimes in daunger of death.

The next daye after his comming thether,The Captain generall goeth a land to visite the king of Cananor. he woulde néedes goe a lande to visite the King of Cananor. All the Captaines of the Fléete he carried in his company to at­tende vppon him with theyr Boates, the which were set foorth with theyr Flagges and Ordinaunce to the vtter­most, and the men apparayled in the best apparayle that they had. And as for the Boate in the which the Cap­tayne generall went, it was couered ouer and beset with Carpettes in the best manner,The state which the Captaine generall kept at his going to visite y^e king of Cananor. vppon the which stoode his Chayre, the which was made of vnshorne Crim­son Veluet, and at his féete there were set two very faire Cushions of the same. His Dublet was also made of Satten, beeing of sundrye coulours, the which was wrought Diamond wise.

And moreouer, his hose were made after the same sorte, and his Shooes were lykewise made of blacke [Page 155] Veluet, which were all beset with Aglets of golde, and his Cap couered ouer with Buttons sutable to the same: his night gowne was made of blacke Veluet, after the French vse laced about, with lase of golde, his Dagger and Rapyer which his page held, were hafted with pure golde, and his cheine came thrée times about his necke, the links wherof were all enameled, and at the same he hadde hanging his Whistle of golde of the lyke worke. There went before him his two Lackyes, appareled as himself, and sixe trum­petters with their Flagges of silke. He had also with him certeine wind instruments, vpon the which they went plai­eng, which were carryed in a little Boate hard by him, and in the same was carried also a present for the king of Ca­nanor, which the king of Portingale sent vnto him.The pre­sēt vvhich y^e king of Portingal sent to the king of Cananor. This present was sixe beds of fine holand, with two great pillowes and pillowbéers to the same, all wrought with gold. Two Couertors or Carpets of Crimsin Veluet vn­shorne, which on the vttermost side were all quilted ouer, and had vpon the same thrée gards of cloth of golde, which in the middest was a spanne in breadth, and in the other pla­ces of thrée fingers. The bedstéede was all guilted ouer, the which had Curteines of Crimosin Satten, with Fringe made of golde thréed. As soone as the Captaine Generall did put of from his shippes, all the Fléete began to shoote off. Afterwards the Trumpettes did sound, and the Drums play. After this was ended, then the Organs went, and ne­uer ceased, till they came to the water side, where ther were great multitudes of Moores and Gentiles, which came the­ther onely to sée the Captaine Generall. Who as soone as he had disimbarked himselfe,The king of Cana­nors brauery and state at his meting vvith the captaine generall▪ entered into a certeine house, the which the king had caused to be made for the same pur­pose hard by the water side, in the which the bedstead with the whole furniture apperteining was set vp, and hard by the same there was a place appointed for y^• captain generall to sit down on. When the king of Cananor came, he brought before him thrée Elephants armed, as though they shoulde fight, and after them there came a squadron of thrée thousand [Page] Naires, with their weapons, which was swoordes, targets, and speares. Also there came another squadron of two thou­sand bowe men. Last of all came the king himselfe sitting in a chaire, the which was verie rich. When he was come to this Sarame, the ordinance of all the Fléet was shot off. The Captaine Generall thereby perceiuing the king to bée at hande, went forth as farre as the doore to receiue him. And after that they had imbraced each other, he presented him with the bed, vnto the which the king did go immedi­atly, and lay downe vpon the same. The Captaine Gene­rall séeing that, sate downe in his place appointed, and there they conferred together for the space of two houres. In the meane while a graye hounde of the Captaine Generalls would haue set vpon one of the Elephants, and because hée was holden, he therefore barked and plunged in such sort, that there was none that could heare, by reason of the noise they made, neither yet there was anye able to holde him, which was the occasion the king and the Captaine gene­rall were so little time together. After this méeting, there came vnto the Captaine Generall a Moore from Calycut, with whom there was also in companie a Portingale boy, which brought a letter from such of our men as remained then captiues, from the time of Pedro Aluares Cabrals be­ing there, who told him by word of mouth, that the king of Calycut was so broken in minde with the warres that hée had with Edwarte Pacheco, that with pure heauinesse hée put himselfe into a Torcull, sequestring himselfe from all the world.

And that there were many Moores Merchaunts so ear­nestly bent to followe theyr trade,The Mores for sake Cali­cut, & goe els vvhere to dvvell▪ that they haue left Cali­cut, and are gone to dwell in other places, by reason wher­of, there is in Calycut greate necessitie of victualls. And therefore that the King of Calycut, the Prince, the Aldermen, and all the dwellers of Calicut are desirous to make peace, and are determined to send vnto him about the same. And gaue our men lycense to write thereof to the Captaine Generall, the which they so did, not onely a­bout [Page 156] their request, but also to desire him to release them out of captiuitie.

The Captaine Generall séeing and perusing this Let­ter, woulde haue aunswered the same, but the Boy would not consent therevnto, saieng that of force he must néedes returne with the Moore, for that they gaue him no further lycense, but to bring this Letter, vppon condition that if hée did not retourne, they woulde cutte off the heades of all those his fellowes that remayned for Captiues in Ca­lycut. Wherefore the Captaine Generall sent them an­swere by worde of mouth, that as touching his going to Coching, it would be shortlye, where hée woulde come to an Ankor as néere as hée coulde to Calycut, passing by the same: and then they might take an occasion to come theyr waye towarde the Fléete, either swimming or in Boates.

This theyr going without yrons about the Citie,He vvold haue thē to escape frō their keepers, & come svvim­ming vn­to him▪ was the occasion that the Captaine Generall gaue them this councell, although hée knewe that they were kepte with a gard of Naires, and also that they slept in the kings house. After all this, he departed towarde Calycut, whether hée came on Saterdaye, the seauenth of September, and as soone as hée came to an Ankor, there repayred vnto him the Boye, which brought him y^e letter to Cananor, and with him came a Moore Seruaunt to Cosebyquin, who brought the Captaine Generall a present from y^e Gouer­nours of the citie of Calicut, on whose behalfe they sayd, that if so bée hée woulde send vnto Cosebyquin a safe conducte, that then hée would come and speake with him, and trade for a peace.

Wherevnto he aunswered, that he woulde not accepte theyr present, nor anye other thing, vntill such time the peace was concluded vpon: and as for Cosebyquin, he might come vnto him without anye feare, as a seruaunt of the king of Portingales. Also priuelye hée sent our men word that they should indeuour as much as they could to runne away. [Page] This aunswere being knowne to the gouernours, they sent immediatly Cosebyquin with two captiue Portingales to the Captaine Generall, beléeuing most certeinlye, that by this meanes they shuld prouoke vs to make the peace, which they sent to demaunde by the foresaide Cosebyquin. Praieng him also to tarrie thrée or foure dayes,Two tvvo Italian rū agates iustly required by the Captaine generall to be deliuered. which they supposed woulde be the longest time that the king woulde tarry, for that they had sent to call him, and knowing verie well, that he would doe all that they would require him. But he gaue them for ful answere, that vntil such time they deliuered vnto him the two Italian runagates that wer in Calicut, he would not agrée to any thing, which béeing deli­uered, he would then doe what he thought good, but he sent them word nothing of y^• captiues, for that he thought that at anie time they might runne their waye. But as soone as the Italians had knowledge,A craftye deuise of the Itali­ans to haue the captiues closelye kept for the assu­rance of thēselues. that the Captaine generall did demaund them, they then surmised that if so be, the cap­tiues went not with yrons, they would runne awaye, and so gaue notice therof vnto the gouernours of the Citie, how that the Captaine Generall, if y^t he might haue them wold make peace, yea, and with such conditions as the king him­selfe would require, for that they were men of a good estima­tion, so that the Captaine Generall would not forgo them for any price.

The Aldermen giuing credite vnto this, waxed some­what colde in speaking any further of peace, but kept the Captiues from thence forth, in such sort that they coulde not runne away. And so they remained vntill the comming of the Vizeroye Don Francisco de Almeda, & in the meane time some there were that did run awaye, and others that died of great infirmities.

Of the great destruction which the Captaine generall made in Calycut, and how he came vnto Coching. chap. 77.

[Page 157] THE Captaine Generall perceiuing that the gouernours did conclude nothing, and themselues were without hope to haue the captiues, he bent himselfe determinatly to reuenge himselfe with shooting off his or­dinaunce both night and day at the Citie, during the which time, he spoiled the same wonderfully, and ouerthrew the kings house and part of their Pagodes, with many other of their houses. He slew also sundry men that came to the water side, wherevnto he laye somewhat néere with seuen of his small ships. Moreouer he had lieng a long the shore all their boats, in the which were both men and ordinance. This being done, he departed toward Coching, wher he ariued on Saterday being the xiii. day of Septem­ber. All this day he kept himselfe a boord, and thether came our men to visit him. On the next day, he disimbarked him­selfe hard by the castle in like order as he did at Cananor, where the king of Coching was tarrieng for him, and there receiued him with great pleasure. And after that he had im­braced him, they went hand in hand to the hall, in the which there was a seate of estate,Embassa­dors are to keepe theyr estates for the honor of theyr Princes that sende them. whervpon was set a chaire. And for that the king did sit lowe according to his order, y^e Cap­taine generall commaunded to place the chaire somewhat further off from the kings seate, in the which he sat downe also. But all those that were present were greatly offended with him, for that he did not sit vpon his chaire of estate by the king, to whome he deliuered a Letter from the king of Portingale, in the which were rendered vnto him greate thankes, for the fauour he had shewed vnto his subiectes, with many other gratulations. Vnto the which the king aunswered, that for all such matters he was fully satisfied with the good seruice that Edwarte Pacheco had done vnto him.

The next daye after, the Captaine Generall sent him a great sum of money, the which the king of Portingale did bestowe vpon him, for that he knew he was but poore.

[Page] After all this, he commaunded Pedro de Mendosa, and Vasco Caruallo to goe with theyr ships to kéepe the coast of Calycut, that they might take all such ships of y^e Moores as were laden with Spices: and also he sent Alonso Lo­pes de la Cocta, and Peralonso de Aguylar, and Lyonel Cotinuo, and Ruy de Abren, to goe and receiue in theyr lading at Coulan, for that he knew ther was spice in abun­daunce.

Moreouer he commaunded Tristim de la Silua, to goe to Grangalor, betwéene the riuers, with foure boates ar­med,They met vvith spi­ces better cheap, & nerer hād then at Grāgalor. of purpose to fight there with certeine Paraos of Ca­lycut, the which were there armed. So Tristim de la Sil­ua shot at some of them, and also at certeine Nayres, the which issued out from certeine pointes of the lande, and so without comming to Grangalor, he tooke a ship laden with Pepper, with the which he returned to Coching, where hée did lade with the other Captaines, which was done very quietly: and there was such great store of spices, that there was none then néeded.

How Edwarte Pacheco departed from Coulan vn­to Coching: and how the Captaine Generall did set vppon Grangalor, and what he did there. Chap. 78.

EDwarte Pacheco béeing come from the coast of Coulan, as soone as he had sight of the Captaines, the which the Captaine ge­nerall had sent, and for that he shuld haue no more to doe after his arriuall at Co­ching, since there was come another Cap­taine Generall, did depart toward Coching the xxii. of Oc­tober, and kéeping his course, had sight of a ship a farre off in the Sea, toward the which he made all that day, & part of the night, and this ship was driuen into Coulan▪ where [Page 158] hauing talke with the same, he did vnderstand that he was one of the confederates the which came from Coromandil. And immediatlye after were séene other thrée shippes of Calycut, towarde the which he made his course, and kepte a long the coast with the winde of the shoare. In the mor­ning he went into the Sea, and there he sawe a Saile▪ the which fled away from him in such sort, y^t til it was toward the euening he could not ouertake the same, but hard to the lande,A ship of Calicut ta­ken & ca­ried away▪ with the which he fought a good while, for that it had many men that did defend themselues, but at the ende hée made them amaine. The shippe béeing yéelded, our men did enter the same by Edwarte Pachecos commaunde­ment, and there were brought a lande certeine of theyr men, the rest he commaunded to be kept prisoners and in yrons, a boord his ship.

And hauing knowledge that this was one of the thrée of Calicut, the which he went to séeke out, hée put in the same two of our men to kéepe and carrye it with him. When hée was come right ouer against Comorin, there fell vppon him on a sodeine such a hurling Winde, that thereby hée was brought in great hazard to be cast away.

This béeing past, came to an Ankor within a league of the shore, and there remained all that night, in the which there ranne away well néere thirtie Moores, of the which were twelue taken againe with his Boate. After this, hée went vp and downe, wauering in the winde, tarryeng for the rest of the shippes, and séeing that they came not, nor yet heard no more newes of them, he carryed the foresayde shippe with him to Coulan. After that hée had delyuered the ship to the Factor, with all such merchandise as he had, the which wer many and rich, he departed toward Coching, where after his comming the ships of the Fléete went to lading. And likewise the others béeing come that were a la­ding in other places, then the Captaine generall did enter in councell, whether that they thought good that he should set vpon Grangalor or not, forasmuch as it held on the king of Calycuts side, and was enimie to the king of Coching. [Page] And now also the king of Calicut was come forth of the Torcull to Calycut, The king of Calicut is novve come forth of y^e Torcul & taketh y^e gouerne­ment vp­pon him. and had in the riuers his Captaine ge­nerall with foure score Paraos, and fiftie shippes, and by lande had appointed Nabeadarin with a greate number of men.

And forasmuch as it was spread abroade, that the Cap­taine Generall did depart towarde Portingale, the king of Calycut was minded to returne and renewe the warres. Now the Captaine generall béeing determined and aduised by all the Captaines to set vppon Grangalor, he departed one night with xv. boates, the which were armed with pa­ueyses, and with fiue and twentie Paraos from Coching, replenished with Ordinaunce. Also with these there went a Caruell, so that in the whole there were welnigh a thou­sande of our men, with whom there went also as manye Nayres of Coching. In the morning before it was daye, hée came to Palypuerto, for hée durst venture no further, for that the Boates went verye heauie laden with theyr furniture, by reason wherof they could not passe the shoells that were there.

At this place there came against him the Prince with eight hundred Nayres, and after this sort, some there were of them that went by lande, and some by water. Thus they departed toward Grangalor, where the king of Ca­lycuts Captaine generall was, in two new ships, the which were cheined together full of Ordinaunce and men, and the most of them bowe men. And a stearne these shippes, and on both their sides were these Paraos with many men also.

The Captaine Generall of the enimies had in his com­pany two of his sonnes, which wer accounted for to be very valyaunt Gentlemen. Our Fléete béeing come, the Ordi­naunce beganne to goe off on both partes. Tristim de la Silua, Alonso de la cocta, Vasco caruallo, Peralonso de A­guylar, and Antonio de S [...]dania, which went in the Vangarde▪ didde close with the two ships, with the which they fought a while.

[Page 159] These ships being boorded,The Captaine generall of the enimies and his tvvo sons slaine. were immediately yéelded, bée­ing first of all slaine, the Captaine generall and both his sonnes, the which fought very valyantlye, and also manye others, for that in this place was all the force of the Bat­taile. And as touching the Paraos that the other Captains did set vpon, there was but little to doe, forsomuch that as soone as they saw their ships boorded they fled their waye. Wherevpon commaundement was giuen by the Captain generall, that all our men should disimbarke themselues, of whom the first fiue Captains were they that gaue the first onset vpon Nambeadarin, who offered to resist, with cer­taine Nayres which he had in his retinue: with whome our men did fight with so valyant a minde, that they made theyr enimies to runne awaye. Then our men following the chase did set fire to certeine houses, beside all y^• Towne which was dispoiled both by the Moores and Gentiles, the which did well know, that our men would come vpon thē, as also did Nambeadarin and his men, which fled awaye along the water side. Edwarte Pacheco, and the Factour Diego Hernando Correa, with the other Captaines didde disimbarke themselues in another place, who immediately began to set a fire the Citie. The Captaine generall in the meane while remained along the water side to keepe his men from scattering. Then the Christians that dwelt in this Citie, and that were hidden amongst the houses, when they saw the Towne all in a fire, came out from where they were hidden, crieng with a loude voyce, and request­ing them not to kill them for that they were Christians. And some of them ther wer, y^• sent presently to the Cap­taine generall, to pray him that for Gods sake hée woulde commaund the fire to be quenched, for that they shoulde els burne certaine Churches of our Ladie and of the Apostles which were in the Citie, as also their poore houses, y^• which were mingled with the houses of the Gentiles and Moores.The fire comman­ded to be quenched for y^e pore christians takes that dvvelt there▪ Then for their sakes, the Generall commaunded the fire immediately to be quenched, although that many of theyr houses were burnt, which for that they were made of tim­ber, [Page] did burne quickly. The fire being quenched, our men fel to ransaking of the houses of the Moores, among whom there were many which before time had dwelt in Calicut. Moreouer, the two shippes with their Paraos that were in the water were likewise burnt, besides other thrée y^t were a land. This conflict yet continuing, there came thether the Prince of Coching, who told the Captaine Generall, that Nambeadaryn was not far off with his power, who was determined to returne to the Citie, after that he was de­parted. Then the Captaines procured license of the Cap­taine Generall that he would suffer them to goe séeke him out, & so they did. But as soone as the enimies had sight of them, they ran their way as fast as they could. The Cap­taine generall séeing this, did returne, & wold haue set vpon another Towne the which was not farre off, but for that the Prince of Coching requested him to the contrary,After a valiant ex­ploit, the Captaine Generall maketh knights in recōpence of theyr vertue. for that the one halfe of the same was his, and that it was vn­possible to destroy the one halfe without the other: and al­so for that the King of Calycuts subiects were ready to sub­mit themselues vnto him, praying him to defend them. Then the Captaine generall entered into the Citie, & did ther make certain Knights, and afterward returned to the Forte, to the which the King of Coching came to visit him.

¶How the King of Tanor sent for succour to the Captaine generall; which he sent him. Cap. 79.

AFter two or thrée daies past that the Cap­taine generall was in the Castle, there came thether vnto him an Embassadour from y^e King of Tanor, who is next neigh­bour to the King of Calicut, who spake vnto him in this order, on y^• king his ma­sters behalfe,An embassador sent to the captain generall from the king of Ta­nor, vvho made the Oration folovving. That whereas, héerto he had bene a friend to the King of Calicut, and did alwaies aid him in all such wars as he had made against Edwarte Pacheco, now since [Page 160] he is come out of the Torcull, presuming on his great po­wer, and hauing encreased or rather doubled his pride, doth in recompence of his good seruice, make warres vpon him. And therefore hauing knowledge that the King of Calicut was minded to set forwarde and to succour the Citie of Grangalor, and that his Captaine generall was marching toward the same, he did assemble 4000. Nayres, which he placed in certaine straights, ‘by the which y^e king of Calicut shuld passe, & at his comming did set vpon his whole campe & ouerthrew the same, with the death of 2000. of his men, which was the cause y^t he came not to succour the citie of Grangalor, but with this losse returned to Calicut. Where­fore hauing done this exployt, he remaineth in feare, least he wil come and set vpon him. And therfore his request is, that the Captaine generall will succour him, since most hū ­bly he doth demaund y^e same: which if he will doe, he will promise him to be true subiect to y^e king of Portingale. To this Embassage y^e General aunswered, y^t he was wel con­tent to accept him for y^e kings subiect,’ & to send Pedro Ra­phael with his Caruell, in y^e which were an 100. men, the most whereof were Crossebowmen, & shot. It was a great chance, y^t the same daye our men came to Tanor, thether came also y^e king of Calicut by land with his whole camp, & gaue to y^e king of Tanor battell,The king of Calycuts vvhol povver o­uerthrovven at Ta­nor, by y^e king ther­of, & the Portin­gales▪ in which through y^e va­lor of our men he was ouerthrowen, & many of his slaine. And for this succor y^t the Generall sent thether, the king of Tanor remained subiect to y^• king of Portingale. With this ouerthrow y^e king of Calicut continued in great feare, & in lesse credit with y^e Moores, then he had with y^e victories that Edwarte Pacheco had gottē against him, because those wars wer made with strangers, but this with y^e king of Tanor, who is his neighbor. Which thing was y^e cause, y^r all such Moores, as dwelt in Calicut & Grangalor conceiued now so great a misliking to trade toward Meca, y^t they determined to return to their coūtries: & for this cause, they laded xvii. great ships in Pandarane, fortifieng them to defend thēselues from our men y^e better, & to offend thē, if they shuld come. [Page] Also there were many Paraos and Tones, lykewise a la­ding as fast as they could plye it.

¶How the Captaine generall fought in Pandarane with seuenteene great ships of the Moores, and how he ouercame them and burned them. Chap. 79.

THe Captaine generall perceiuing that of force he must néedes returne, with all such ships as were laden, by counsaile of the Captaines, and for securitie of the King of Coching and of the Fort there, did there­fore appoint and leaue in Coching a Cap­taine generall, with whom he left a ship and two Caruels, the one of Pedro Raphael, and the other of Diego Pieres. This Captaine was a Gentleman called Manuel telez de Vasconcelos, whom the Captaine generall did present to the King of Coching, who had a great deale more desire, that Edwarte Pacheco should haue remained, for his good seruice, and affection he bare him, as I haue sayd. Howbeit notwithstanding,the effect of the vvordes, which the King of Coching spake to Edvvarte Pacheco at his de­parture. he durst not demaund his tarrieng at the Captaine generalls hands, forsomuch as he was of a very ill condition. Edwarte Pacheco hauing knowledge of his go­ing for Portingale, purposed first ere that he departed, to speake with the King of Coching, the which he so did. For whose departure the King remained very sorrowfull, requesting him to tarrie if so be it were possible in the In­dias, and not to leaue him, for that as yet he did not think himselfe sure from the King of Calicut, and also he tolde him that he remembred that he had promised him sundry times not to goe away,The aun­swere that Edvvarte Pacheco, gaue to y^• king of Coching▪ vntill such time he had made him King of Calicut, and since as yet he had not the possession of the same, he desired him not to leaue him. Edwarte Pa­checo aunswered him, that he left him now in a good time, hauing his Countrey verye quiet, forsomuch as the King of Calycut hath bene and now is abated so greatly of his [Page 161] pride, that he néeded not to stande in no feare of him anye more. For sufficient proofe whereof was, if none other thing, that now he sawe the Moores of Meca to go theyr way from Calycut as men desperate for the losse of their trade. Also that his going for Portingale was not but to re­turne, and then to serue him for a longer time, and more at his pleasure. With this aunswere the King was somwhat satisfied, and with the teares in his eyes desired him to par­don him, for that he did not giue him all that was his de­sire,The good vvill of a thankfull minde is much more vvorth thē many gifts▪ in recompence of the seruice he had done for him, in consideration that he was so poore, as he did well knowe. Howbeit he intreated him, that of his Pepper which hée had, he would take what he woulde. But Edwarte Pacheco would haue nothing, saieng, that he did trust in God, that when he retourned to Coching, hée should finde him very rich, & in his prosperitie, and then he would receiue reward of him. And with this he departed, the King with all his subiects remaining verye heauie for his departure. Moreouer, the King wrote vnto the king of Portingale of all Edwarte Pacheco successes in the warres, and what he had done for him. After this the Captain ge­rall departed toward Cananor, the xxvi. of September, ca­rieng in his companye those Captaines which shoulde re­maine in the Indias. His good wil & intent was, to come to an Ankor in the harbour of Panane, and there to visite the King of Tanor. But by reason of the ill weather they had, and their naughtie Pilots they could not reach y^• same, but were driuen to Calycut and Pandarane. And from thence he commaunded Pedro Raphael and Diego Pieres to go be­fore the Fléete, and to looke out, whether they could see any ships of the Moores. Being ariued at Pandarane, & bearing along the Coast with a small winde, there came vpon them x. Paros of the xvii. ships that were ther a lading. Our men hauing sight of them, began forthwith to shoote at them with their ordinaunce. The other Captayns being a Sea boord, and hearing the sound of the ordinance, did returne, and bare as close by the winde as they could. [Page] And hauing sight of the ships of the Moores to be a ground, came to Cananor by the Captaine generalls commaunde­ment, who immediately entered into counsaile, in y^e which it was determined by the whole consent of his Captains, that they shuld fight with those Moores, and that they shuld goe in their boates, for that their ships could not come néere vnto them, by reason they were within the Barre. And for that the enimies were many, that therefore they should do what they could to close with the ships, the which as soone as they had done, they shuld set the same a fire. This being appointed, the Captaine general with all y^e other Captains of the Fléete, did imbarke themselues in their boates, the which were in all xv. in the which all the souldiers of the Fléete did imbarke themselues, and that with a great cou­rage for that they went to fight with their enimies.The great prouision of the Moores a­gainst so fevv small boates. These Moores as I sayd, had their ships within the Barre, lyeng one close by another, with their stearnes toward the land, and in the most part of them wer many souldiers, y^e which were men of coulour white. Their weapon were bowes and arrowes, and also they had much ordinaunce. And on the land, at the entering of the barre were placed two pée­ces of ordinaunce vpon a small bulwarke which they had made. Our men bearing néere to this barre, had sight of the Captaine generall, and how the Caruells were somewhat farre off the shore, and that they came not, for that y^e wind was but small, and therefore were perforce driuen to re­turne backe for them, & to bring them by force of the oare within the Barre, for to succour their boates. The other Captaines (although they saw him returne) went forward by force of the oare, and at the entering of the Barre, the Pellets fell as though it had rayned amongst them. But for all this they entered, shooting of all their Ordinaunce. But as their enimies were farre more then they, so theyr arrowes were without number. And for that our men by reason they wer somwhat low vnder their ships, wer open without any defence, therefore did they receiue great hurt, not onely by their ordinance, but also by their arrowes. [Page 162] Héere as it appeared, was all the force of the battaile: and for all the stoutnesse that was shewed by the enimies, yet our men entred into the middes of all the multitude of the shot, by force of the oare, in such sort y^t it appered as though the boats did flye,It had ben better to haue cal­led vppon God to haue suc­coured them in that extremytye, the men crying out S. Iames, S. Iames, & with y^t they laid those ships aboord: y^e first y^t laid any ship aboord was Tristim de la Silua, as soone as he was within the bar. And as y^e men of this ship were many, so they did shoote such abundance of arrows & threw so many stones, y^t they made our men put off, who béeing off did immediate­ly close with another, in y^• which for that there wer not so many, they boorded the same in despite of the Moores for all their stoutnes, in y^e which wer some of them slaine, & those that remained aliue leapt for feare into the water & swam away. About y^e same time y^t Tristim de la Silua had layde this ship a boord, Alonso de la cocta did the like vnto ano­ther, which he tooke to be y^e Admirall, of y^e which a Turke was Captaine with all his company, which were manye. And at the boording of this ship, were throwen such a mul­titude of stones and darts, that it was a wonder to sée. It chaunced that before our men came to this ship, the eni­mies shooting at them with a péece, y^e which was lieng vpō the vpper decke, with y^e recoyling it rent out a péece of the ship side, so y^t ther was made so great a hole, & the enimies not regarding it, thought it more néedfull to succor y^t fore-part of their ship. And when our boat came hard a boord y^e same side where this hole was, our men did enter by the same. The first that entered, was Alonso Lopes Master, & another Aluoro Lopes, who was y^e things seruant, & is now towne Clarke in Santaren, with [...] others. These alto­gether with those y^t came afterward so fought with their enimies, that in the same conflict there were many slaine, others hid themselues vnder the hatches, & also others lept into y^e water, at y^e which time the most part of them were drowned, for that they wer laden with shirts of male. Im­mediatelye one Pero Alonso de Aguylar layde another ship a boord, hauing in his company Lyonel Cotinuo, and [Page] also Edwarte Pacheco, Vasco Caruallo, Antonyo de Sal­dano, and Ruy Lorenso, who all behaued themselues very valyauntly.The Mores for feare leap into the sea, & drovvne thēselues. And as soone as they had taken this ship, they immediately set the same a fire, and it tooke the same very furiously, so that thereby their enemies were so excéedingly afeard, that the most part of them leapt into the water and drowned themselues. While this was a doing, thether came the Captayne generall, with the Caruells, and béeing entered within the Barre, he lefte them. Then one of the péeces that were on the lande was shot off with a pellet, which strake the Caruell of Pedro Raphael in such sort, & in such a place, that with the same were thrée of his men slaine and ten sore hurt, and for lacke of winde, the floude carried him vnder the forecastle of a ship, of those that wer not as yet layd aboord, the which had many men. And for that the shippe was higher then the Caruell, who had the same vnder his sprit saile, therefore the enimies did enter, and handeled our men very ill, for that they altogether did set vpon them. Also there was another péece shot, with the which the Master of the ship was slain, being at the helme gouerning the Caruell, which being thus left at randon, before that there came any other to the helme, the Caruell fell vpon certaine Rockes, where she remained till the bat­taile was ended. The Captaine generall viewing the dan­ger that Pedro Raphael was in, commaunded him to bée succoured, and so it was done. Then our men entering in­to the Caruell, the which was full of Moores, they behaued themselues so valyantly,Here vvas a great slaughter of the Portingals in respect of other battailes sought. that they made them flye awaye, but notwithstanding all our men that were within y^e Car­uell were sore hurt. In the meane space, all the ships of the enimies were burnt, and this also at the last, in the which was burnt great store of Merchaundise, for that the same was laden. Which was done the rather, for that vpon the land there were many of the enimies which wer assembled together. And for that of our men there were many hurt, the Captain generall came his way with all his Captains toward their ships, where he found that there were slaine [Page 163] of our men xxv. and hurt an hundred and xxvii. men. But for all this the victorie was great. For ouer and besides the burning of the shippes with all their riches, the which was much, the Captaine generall was giuen to vnderstand by the Moores of Cananor, (to the which place from thence he went) that ther were slaine in this battell two thousand men. With this spoyle the king of Calicut remained so ill contented, that frō that time for a good while after, he could not restore himself, for that his losse was great, besides that the Moores went from Calycut, by reason whereof there was so great necessitie & lacke of victuals there, that the ci­tie remained almost vninhabited.

Of the safe arriuall of the Captaine Generall at Lish­borne, and of the great honour the king Don Ma­nuel gaue to Edwarte Pacheco. chap. 80.

THe next day after, the which was the first day of Ianuarie, the Captaine Generall de­parted toward Cananor, for that there hée went to take in the rest of his lading. And being there arriued, the Factor gaue him to vnderstand of the great victory that he had gotten in Pandarane, and how the Moores were very pen­siue for the same, suspecting that from thence forth all our men might remaine in the Indias, The [...] ­ber of ships and men, vvhich vvere left in the In­dias vvith Manuel Telez the Captain generall▪ and that without feare. For as their pride was before this victore great, so theyr pretence was alwayes thought to be, to kill both the Fac­tor, and all those that remained with him. The like tale also did the king of Cananor alwayes tell. The Captaine Ge­nerall béeing readie to departe, before his going he made an Oration vnto Manuel Telez, and those that re­mained with him touching that which they should doe, lai­eng before them the great seruice that Edwarte Pacheco had done, and therefore he woulde giue him no greater a Fléete then Francisco de Alburquerque left, and an hun­dred fighting men in it. But after that he was departed, [Page] there were in the Indias no more warres, for that the king of Calycut remained as in case aforesaid. The Captaine ge­nerall being departed from Cananor toward Portingale, he ariued at Mylinde the first day of September, where with­out comming a land, he sent Antonio de Saldanua to y^e ci­tie, for many rich prises which he had left there, & had taken before at the Cape Quarda [...]um, where he went toward the Indias. And from thence he directed his course toward Qui­loa, to recouer ther y^• kings tribute which y^e king wold not pay. From thence he departed the tenth day of Februarye, without chauncing vnto him any thing worth the writing, arriued at Lishborne the 22. day of Iune. 1525. with two ships more then he carried out with him,1525. when he went to­ward the Indias. All these were laden with great store of ri­ches, for the which the king Don Manuel gaue him great honour,Indeede this Ed­vvarte Pa­checo vvel deserued great ho­nor & cō ­mendaciō for his seruice▪ and the like he did to Edwarte Pacheco, after y^t he vnderstood what good seruice he had done him in the Indias, & how by his meanes the Factorie was there mainteined, & also the credit of his power. And for that all men shuld haue knowledge of so notable seruice, immediatly vpon thursday next after the Captaine generals arriuall, was commaun­ded to be made a solempne Procession, as they vse on Cor­pus Christi day, in the which he went from y^e high church, vnto Santo Domingus, carieng with him Edwarte Pache­co. In this Church there was a Sermon, made by the Bi­shop of Vizew called Don Diego Ortis, who brought in by order, all that Edwarte Pacheco had done in the warres a­gainst the king of Calycut. This feast was not onely kept in Lishborne, but also in Algaruy, & in all the cities & no­table towns of Portingale, which was so done by the kings commaundement. Moreouer, he wrote of the same vnto the Pope, by Don Ioan Sutill, which was then Bishop of Sa­ [...]in, who had the carriage of those letters. Besides y^•, he sent the same to many christian Princes, y^t they might know of those notable acts & victories, being such a thing, as within these our dayes no prince hath done y^e like for his subiects.