India

[456] An encounter with pirates on the Malabar coast

The pirates along the west coast of India were notorious for bad deeds, both on land and sea. The Portuguese viceroy at Goa sent a fleet of fifteen ships to an island named Sanguifeo were a great many of these pirates were gathered. The admiral’s ship became separated and ran aground on the low tide. When the pirates, who at first had fled to the hills, realised the plight of the Portuguese they returned and attacked the admiral’s ship. The crew fought bravely but were overcome and the admiral was killed. Then the pirates mocked the Portuguese in the other ships with the admiral’s head, which they had impaled on a long pole.

Plate 1 (13.5×17.5), from Part III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in 1601 with Latin text: $100 view print

[452] A panorama view of the market at Goa

This shows a bustling market scene in Goa, with Indians and Portuguese trading wares, with buildings beyond.

Plate 37 (14.7×37.0), from Part II(p), first published in 1598 with German text and 1599 with Latin text: $185 view print

[457] A Portuguese ship is wrecked on its way to Goa in India

In 1595 a Portuguese ship called St. Iago, with the admiral and about five hundred people aboard, set sail for the East Indies. Having carefully negotiated the Cape of Good Hope and the strait between Mozambique and the island of Madagascar, the admiral thought all his troubles were behind him. His sailors were more cautious, however, and told him of dangers ahead but he ignored their warnings and ordered full sails to be set for the East. Under a bright moon all seemed to be going well when, the ship hit a coral reef and was smashed to pieces. For the ninety souls that survived the wreck, starvation and other troubles followed.

Plate 2 (13.5×17.5), from Part III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in 1601 with Latin text: $100 view print

[458] A Portuguese armada is destroyed by the Turks

When the viceroy of Goa sent a Portuguese armada to attack some Turkish pirates, his fleet was defeated and the ships scattered on the high seas. Another armada was subsequently sent out to take revenge on the Turks. After sailing into the Red Sea, the Portuguese anchored near a place called Nicolu and went ashore but they were ambushed by the Turks, who attacked them on horseback and killed about five hundred of them. Only about fifty Portuguese managed to escape the slaughter and get back to their ships alive.

Plate 3 (13.5×17.5), from Part III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in 1601 with Latin text: $100 view print

[459] How, in the town of Goa, a wife assisted in the murder of her husband

A diamond-cutter, who had gone to settle in the town of Goa, eventually married a half-cast Indian woman. One of his best friends, however, who was Portuguese became attracted to his wife and this subsequently developed into a secret love affair. While the diamond-cutter was out walking in some gardens one day his wife, who was with the servants some distance behind her husband, met up with her lover. Together they left the party and went to make love nearby in an old hut. When, subsequently, the husband was told of his wife’s infidelity by the servants, he went to seek advice from his best friend, unaware that he was the very culprit. From this the lover realised it was the diamond-cutter’s intention to kill his wife, so he went to tell her that she would never be safe from his revenge unless she helped him to do away with her husband. This she agreed to do by putting some sleeping powder in his drink while he was entertaining some friends at a dinner party. That night he slept so soundly that the lover was able to climb in through the window without any disturbance and murder him. Then, taking all the diamond-cutter’s fortune, the two lovers escaped into the night.

Plate 4 (13.5×17.5), from Part III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in 1601 with Latin text: $100 view print

[460] A great earthquake on the island of St. Michael

There was a terrifying earthquake on the island of St. Michael in the year 1591, which lasted from 26th July to 12th August. In fear of being crushed, the people of Villafranca fled from their homes and went out into the open countryside to pray and fast in repentance. The earth opened up in several places, rocks and cliffs were hurled together and whole hillsides vanished completely into the water. There was much mourning and weeping for all their houses and monasteries were destroyed and many people were later found dead among the ruins.

Plate 5 (13.5×17.5), from Part III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in 1601 with Latin text: $100 view print

[461] A great storm in the island of Tercera

While van Linschoten was on the island of Tercera a great storm blew up. There were about one hundred and forty ships gathered together in the harbour, some of which belonged to the Spanish armada. They were all waiting to set sail from India. Before the tide had turned the greatest tempest in human history hit the island, with seas so great it made one dizzy as it was feared they would swallow the whole island. The storm raged for five days and twelve of the ships were wrecked. We could hear cries for help and let down ropes from the cliff-top but no one took them and many lives were lost at sea.

Plate 6 (13.4×17.5), from Part III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in 1601 with Latin text: $100 view print

[646] A treaty of friendship between the Dutch and the king of Calicut

The Dutch Admiral, Steffan van der Haagen already knew the people of Calicut, on the Malabar Coast of India, were not hostile to the Dutch so, when his fleet arrived he arranged a meeting with the king. The Admiral went ashore with his crew and were met by the king and the people of Malabar. After honouring the king with several gifts, they made an eternal pact of friendship. The king had the agreement put in writing and sealed so that His Excellency, Count Moritz would be well assured.

Ad Plate 4 (13.5×17.6), from Part VIII(p), first published in 1606 with German and Latin text: $150view print

[551] A drawing of the island of Mauritius

This shows the Dutch fleet moored in the bay at ‘Truckene’, Mauritius, in September, 1598, with small craft going ashore. An anchorage, shoals and a large compass rose are shown in the sea area and in the background are the mountains.

Plate 1 (13.8×18.4), from Part V(p), first published in 1601 with German and Latin text: $275