SITUATION OF EUROPE IN THE LATE 15TH CENTURY

Portugal and Spain were in a tight competition in discovering lands and extending their power
that the pope of the Catholic Church, Pope Alexander, has to issue the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. In
this Teaty of Tordesillas, it was decided to put up a boundary 370 leagues west of Cape Verde Islands
from the north pole going to the south pole. West of this boundary will be allotted for Spain to venture
out and discover its own lands and only navigators under Spain will be allowed to navigate in this side of
the boundary. While on the east side of the boundary, it will be for Portugal. Spices coming from the
eastern of Asia was treated as a valuable commodity and was in so much demand in Europe. However, as
the trade routes being used lies in the Mediterranean, trades were being obstructed by the
Mohammedans who were also establishing their own power.

FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD

Considered to be one of the most important voyages conducted in the whole history following
that of Cristopher Columbus voyage to the New World and Vasco de Gama’s to India. These voyages
were the prelude to the great events of modern times which history writers refer to as the Commercial
Revolution.

It was approved under the king of Spain, King Charles.

Ferdinand Magellan- the captain-general of the fleet for the voyage bound to the Spice Islands/
Moluccas or rather to the Philippines through west via the Pacific Ocean. He is a Portugese but voyaging
under the king of Spain.

Antonio Pigafetta- he was an Italian scholar who was interested of seeing the world and decidedly joined
Magellan’s fleet after learning about the expedition. He was the owner of the diary that is approved to
be a genuine evidence of history.

SUMMARY OF THE EXPEDITION

Magellan’s fleet composing of 237 men and five ships: San Antonio, Conception, Trinidad,
Victoria, and Santiago, sets sail on August 10, 1519 from the Seville stopping at ports and islands to
replenish their provisions

They reached the land of Verzin, to which as described by Pigafetta, is larger and wealthier than
Spain, France, and Italy put together but belongs to Portugal. The people of the place were not Christians
and that they reach the age of 125 to 140 years. There, the people have a custom of eating the flesh of
their enemies. Johan Carnagio, a Portugese who have lived in that place for four years, joined the fleet.
The Spaniards conducted a mass there twice to which the people of that place attended and were easily
converted because of a timely incident that it rained when the Spaniards came after two months of no
rain.

They continued their voyage after staying in that place for 13 days and came upon a freshwater
river (the place was named Cape of Sta. Maria). There they found people who are cannibals where a
Spanish voyager, prior to their own, Johan de Solis and his 60 men were eaten by the cannibals. There
are seven islands in that river wherein they found precious gems in the largest.
 They continued their journey where they saw a naked man of giant stature on a shore singing,
dancing, and throwing dust on his head. The giant was so tall that the men of the fleet only reached up
to his waist. He believed that the foreigners came from the sky. His face was large and painted red all
over while about his eyes he was painted yellow; and he had two hearts painted on the middle of his
cheeks. His scanty hair was painted white. He was dressed in the skins of animals skillfully sewn together.
They met another giant in that island who was even bigger than the others and soon baptized and
named him Johanni however was never seen again at the thought that his companions had killed him for
interacting with them. They captured two giants before leaving that island to present them in Spain
when they return. Magellan called the giants ‘Patagoni’. In that port, which they called St. Julian, a
treason was plotted by the overseer of the fleet, Johan de Cartagena, Alouise de Mendosa the treasurer,
Anthonio Cocha the accountant, and Gaspar de Cazada. The treasurer was killed while Cazada together
with a priest was banished in that land of Patagonia. The ship Santiago was wrecked while exploring the
coast but all the men boarding it were saved. Before leaving the land, they erected a cross on one of the
highest summits as a sign that the land belongs to Spain.

When they were at the Cape of the Eleven Thousand Virgins, one ship, the San Antonio fled to
return to Spain. Esteban Gomez, the pilot, of that ship hated Magellan and thus conspired with other
Spaniards captured the captain of the ship who was also a cousin of Magellan, Alvaro de Mesquita, and
took back to Spain. The giant boarding in that ship died during the heat. Thinking that the other ship was
lost during the storm, Magellan ordered two banners to be planted where a message will be buried
under it telling the crew of the lost ship, if they ever find it, the direction of their course.

Continuing their journey, they suffered for a long period due to the lack of food brought by a
long period of not reaching any island. Many of the men died including the other giant whom they called
Paulo after converting into Christian. On March 6, they discovered a small island in the north and two
larger islands on the south. Even with their sufferings, they could not replenish their provisions because
the inhabitants of that island robbed their ships. Out of rage, Magellan with forty men went ashore,
burned their houses and killed seven men. A boat that was also stolen was recovered. They called that
place as Island of Latroni (thieves).

On March 16, 1521, the first island of the Philippines, Samal, was sighted. Magellan did not land
on the island immediately but on the small desert island called Homonhon (called as the Watering place
of Good Signs as there they found first signs of gold) the following day where two tents were quickly set
up for the sick, whom Magellan himself tends with. March 18, they gain their first acquaintance with the
natives, who prove hospitable, and promise fresh provisions in exchange for the goods that Magellan
gifted them such as mirrors, red caps, combs, bells, ivory, bocasine, and other things. These are brought
on the twenty-second of March, and the Europeans have their first sight of a tattooed Visayan chief,
who, as well as his men, is decked out in gold ornaments. The lower ranks were naked with only their
privies covered. After a week’s stay, the ships again set sail.

March 28, anchor is cast at the island of Limasawa, where Enrique, the Malaccan slave of
Magellan, serves as interpreter. Amicable relations are speedily entered into and confirmed by the
Malayan rite of blood brotherhood. The king of Limasawa (Raja Colambu), and his brother (Raja Siago),
the king of certain districts in Mindanao, prove most helpful, and are completely won over by a judicious
presentation of gifts. The natives were greatly impressed by the power of the new comers, as seen in the
artillery and armor, and their astonishment is increased when Magellan relates his course to their islands
and the discovery of the strait.

On Good Friday, Pigafetta and a companion visit the natives ashore, where they spend the night
in the king’s palace, a typical Visayan house raised aloft on supports and thatched with nipa. Here the
various ceremonies that he witnesses impress Pigafetta, and his companion, cast in coarser mould than
he, becomes intoxicated. As discovered by Pigafetta during his visit, the dishes of the king are all made of
gold and also some part of his house, the king himself was very grandly decked out with gold. Gold with
the sizes of walnuts and eggs were found on the sand. On Easter Sunday, the natives are deeply
impressed by the mass that is celebrated ashore, and the cross which is planted in the highest part of the
island, and which they promise to adore.

The limited amount of food in Limasawa, which is used only as a place of recreation by the two
kings, who go there to visit one another and hunt, leads Magellan to seek a more abundant harbor.
Among the places pointed out where food is abundant is the island of Cebu, and there Magellan
determines to go. After a seven days stay at Limasawa, the course is laid to Cebú under the pilotage of
the king of Limasawa, who is finally taken aboard the “Trinidad” as his vessel is unable to keep up with
the swifter-moving European vessels.

Entering the port of Cebú on April 7, amid the thunder of their guns, the settlement is thrown
into consternation, but the Malaccan being sent ashore reassures them of his master’s good intentions,
whom he proclaims to be a “captain of the greatest king and prince in the world,” who “was going to
discover Moluccas,” but hearing of the great fame of the king of Cebú, wishes trade with him. The king of
Cebú (Raja Humabon) is willing to accord friendship to the Europeans, but asks a tribute, as it is the
custom for all visitors to pay it to him. But no tribute will be paid him, asserts Enrique, and the king, at
the advice of a Moro merchant who has heard of the deeds of the Portuguese along Moluccas and the
Indian coast, and confuses the strangers with them, until undeceived by Enrique (who declares them to
be much greater than the Portuguese), expresses his willingness to make friendship with Magellan. With
the help of the friendly king of Limasawa, peace is made according to Malay rites, and gifts exchanged.
Magellan, deeply religious, in common with many of his age, early seeks to lure the natives of Cebú to
holy baptism, by presenting to them its most attractive side, and promising the king if he becomes a
Christian, a suit of armor; but they must become willing converts, and not for the hope of gain or for
fear. The peace is more firmly cemented by the visit of Pigafetta and a companion to the king, where
they witness ceremonies similar to those of Limasawa, and where gifts are bestowed upon the king and
some others. They also visit the house of the prince apparent, where they hear their first concert of
Visayan music and see a native dance.

Trading is instituted by carrying a quantity of merchandise ashore, the safety of which is assured
by the king. Those people are found to have weights and measures for their trading; and besides their
gongs, a flute-like instrument. Their houses are entered by ladders. On Friday begins the trading, gold
being given for metals and large articles, and food for the smaller wares. The good bargains obtained by
the Europeans, would have been materially less and the trade spoiled forever had it not been for
Magellan’s watchfulness, for so eager are the men at the sight of the gold, that they would have given
almost anything for it. On the following Sunday, the king and his chief men, and the queen and many
women, are baptized and given European names, and ere the week closes all the Cebuans have become
Christians, as well as some from neighboring islands. The king was named Don Carlo after the the
emperor of Spain, the prince as Don Fernando after the emperor’s brother, the king of Limasawa as
Johanni, a chief to Fernando after Magellan, the Moro to Christoforo, and all the others that were
baptized. The queen at her earnest request, is given a small image of the Christ child, the same afterward
recovered by Legazpi, and still held in the greatest of reverence at Cebú. The opposition of certain chiefs
to the king of Cebú is satisfactorily ended by the inducements and threats of Magellan. The latter swears
to be faithful in his friendship with the natives, who likewise swear allegiance to the king of Spain.

However, the natives are loath to destroy their idols, according to their promise, and Magellan
finds them still sacrificing to them for the cure of sickness. Substituting therefore the assurance that the
new faith will work a cure, in lieu of which he offers his head, the sick man (who is the prince’s brother
and the bravest and wisest man in the island) is miraculously cured. Thereupon many idols are burned
amid great demonstrations. Vivid descriptions are given of the people and their customs and
ceremonies, especially those of sacrifice and mourning.

April 20, a chief from the neighboring island of Mactan (Raja Zula) sends a small present to
Magellan, with the request to aid him with a boat load of men against the chief Lapulapu, who refuses
allegiance to Spain. Magellan in his ardor, and notwithstanding the remonstrance of his friends, leads
three boat loads of men (sixty in all) to the island, where having ordered the king of Cebú to be a witness
of the battle only, he engages the natives. Despite the advantage in terms of armory, Magellan and his
men were not able to take the upper hand as Lapulapu has more men counting to more than a
thousand. Recognizing the leader, the natives make their greatest efforts against him, and finally he is
killed while knee deep in the water, but after all the others are saved. Insolent in their victory, the natives
refuse to give up the body of the slain leader at the request of the king of Cebú. The Europeans stunned
by the loss of their leader, withdraw their merchandise and guards to the ship, and make preparations
for departure. Duarte Barbosa and João de Serrão are chosen leaders.

The second act in the drama follows speedily. The slave Enrique, enraged at a severe reprimand
and threats by Barbosa, conspires with the king of Cebú; with the result that twenty-six men, including
both of the leaders, are murdered at a banquet on May 1, to which the king invites them. João Carvalho,
deaf to the entreaties of João Serrão, his comrade, and anxious to become leader, sails away leaving him
to his death.

By mutual consent, the three vessels proceed to Bohol, where the “Concepcion” is burned, as
there are too few men left to work all three ships; although its supplies and all else possible are
transferred to the “Victoria” and “Trinidad.” Then, cruising along, they put in at Mindanao where
Pigafetta goes ashore alone, after the king has made blood friendship at the ships. There they hear of
Luzón, where the Chinese trade annually. Departing from Mindanao, they anchor at Cagayan Sulu, a
penal settlement for Borneo, where the blowpipe and poisoned arrows are used, and the daggers
adorned with gold. The next anchorage is at Paragua, although before reaching that island, the men have
been tempted to abandon the ships because of hunger.

Ten leagues from Paragua is the great island of Borneo, whither the ships next go, and anchor at
the city of Brunei, which is built over the water, and contains twenty-five thousand fires. Hospitably
received by eight chiefs who visit the ships, they enter into relations with the Borneans. Seven men go as
ambassadors to visit the king, and bear presents to him and the chief men. The strangers are graciously
given permission to take on fresh supplies of food, water, and wood, and to trade at pleasure. Later
actions of the Borneans cause the men of the ships to fear treachery, and forestalling any action by that
people, they attack a number of junks near them, and capture four. Among the captives is the son of the
king of Luzón, who is the chief captain in Borneo, and whom Carvalho allows to escape, without
consulting the others, for a large sum of gold. His action in so doing reacts on himself, for the king
refuses to allow two men who were ashore and Carvalho’s own son (born of a native woman in Brazil) to
return to the ships, and they are left behind.

On leaving Borneo, a number of prisoners from the captured junks are kept, among them three
women whom Carvalho ostensibly retains as presents for the queen of Spain, but in reality for himself.
Happily escaping from the point on which one of the ships has become grounded, and the fear of
explosion from a candle which is snuffed into a barrel of powder, the ships anchor at a point of Borneo,
where for forty-two days, the men are busied in repairing, calking, and furnishing the vessels. The
journey is resumed back toward Paragua, the governor of a district of that island being captured on the
way; with whom, however, they enter into friendly relations. Then the ships cruise along between
Cagayan, Joló, and Mindanao, capturing a native boat from Maingdanao of the latter island, from the
captive occupants of which they learn news of the Moluccas. Pushing on amid stormy weather, they
anchor at the island of Sarangani, just south of Mindanao; and thence proceed in a generally southerly
direction amid many islands until the Moluccas are reached, and they enter the harbor of Tidore on
Friday, November 8, 1521, after twenty-seven months, less two days, since their departure from Spain.

At Tidore a warm welcome awaits them from the king, who is a powerful astrologer and has
been expecting their arrival. He promises them as many cloves as they wish, even offering to go outside
his island, contrary to the practice of kings, to provide them the sooner; in return for his services hoping
for their aid in his designs for power in the Moluccas, especially against the king of Ternate. There they
learn that Francisco Serrão, the great friend of Magellan, has perished some eight months previously
from poison administered by the king of Tidore, whom he had visited, because he had aided the king of
Ternate against Tidore. This Serrão, says Pigafetta, was the cause of Magellan undertaking his expedition,
and he had been in the Moluccas for ten years, for so long ago had Portugal discovered those islands.
The efforts of the Ternatans to gain the new strangers fail, for they are already pledged to the king of
Tidore.

Antonio Pigafetta, together with 17 men, were the only ones who made it back to Seville
boarding only the Victoria on September 8, 1522.