Saturday 29 July 2017

Pedro de Alvarado | Timeline

Pedro de Alvarado y Contreras (Badajoz, Spain, 1485 – Guadalajara, Mexico, 4 July 1541) was a Spanish conquistador and governor of Guatemala. He participated in the conquest of Cuba, in Juan de Grijalva's exploration of the coasts of the Yucatán Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico, and in the conquest of Mexico led by Hernán Cortés. He is considered the conqueror of much of Central America, including Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Although renowned for his skill as a soldier, Alvarado is known also for the cruelty of his treatment of native populations, and mass murders committed in the subjugation of the native peoples of Mexico. (Intro from Wikipedia)

January(?) 1(?), 1485 - Badajoz, Spain - Pedro de Alvarado y Contreras is born
January(?) 1(?), 1510 - Hispaniola - Alvarado arrives in Hispaniola =(START)
November 1(?), 1511 - Punta de Maisi, SE tip of Cuba - Alvarado sails to Cuba on the expedition of Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar - 4 ships and 400 men
January(?) 1(?), 1513 - He is appointed captain and in reward for the services rendered he received an indeterminate number of natives who would pay him tribute and provide him with free labor
April 1(?), 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Juan de Grijalva departs to Yucatán in expedition. One of the four ships is captained by Pedro de Alvarado.
April 12(?), 1518 - Cozumel Island, Yucatán, Mexico - They land at Cozumel Island and later in the Coast of Yucatán.
May 1, 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Alvarado returns to Santiago de Cuba to take good news to the Governor. It doesn't take long to convince Velásquez of the success of a larger expedition, as Alvarado presents him with a small portion of gold, gemstones and other exotic objects obtained from the indians
October 23, 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Hernán Cortés receives a command to obtain territories in Mexico. Alvarado joins him.
November 18, 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Cortés weighs anchor with eleven ships and sails South to recruit soldiers and obtain supplies and weapons
February 10, 1519 - Guaniguanico, W of Cuba - Cortés gathers eleven small ships with 518 soldiers, 32 crossbowmen, 13 light cavalrymen, 10 horsemen, 110 sailors, 200 Indians and blacks, 10 cannons, 4 swivel cannons and 15 horses
February 18, 1519 - Guaniguanico, W of Cuba - Cortés sails to Mexico with his expedition. Soon they face a great storm
February 21, 1519 - Cozumel Island, Yucatán, Mexico - The expedition arrives to Cozumel Island, with a ship scattered somewhere. Cortés meets Gerónimo de Aguilar, who lived among the mayas for eight years
March 12, 1519 - Mouth of Grijalva River - The expedition arrives on the Mouth of Grijalva River. The attempt to establish friendly relations with the local indians, since they were totally hostile, was useless. The confrontation was inevitable, but at least it allowed Pedro de Alvarado to demonstrate his qualities as a good soldier when at the head of a hundred men he fought bravely against the numerically superior Indians
March 24, 1519 - Mouth of Grijalva River - Skirmishes with the mayas become a great battle. The Mayas panic as they see horses for the first time
April 17, 1519 - Mouth of Grijalva River - The expedition sails West along the coast
April 21, 1519 - San Juan de Ulúa, Vera Cruz - Arrival to San Juan de Úlua, then, an island
April 22, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - Cortés founds "Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz". He transfers his army to the continent and builds a fort. The spanish are welcomed.
April 24, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - A maya embassy arrives. Cortés communicates that he wants to meet the Emperor
May 1, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - Another maya embassy arrives, bringing with them even richer gifts to Cortés
May 10, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - In yet another visit, the maya ambassador transmits his emperor's rejection to Cortés' request
June 7, 1519 - Between Quiahuiztlan and Zempoala - Cortés changes his base to 70 kilometers north
June 28, 1519 - Between Quiahuiztlan and Zempoala - Battle between aztecs and totomac / zempoala rebels, supported by Cortés
July 1, 1519 - Vera Cruz - Return to Vera Cruz to direct tasks and order the manufacture of bricks
August 8, 1519 - Zempoala, Mexico - The defenses at Vera Cruz are completed and garrisoned. Cortés marches to Zempoala
August 16, 1519 - Zempoala, Mexico - Cortés renames Zempoala as Nueva Sevilla (New Seville) and departs to inland Mexico. Behind him, in Vera Cruz, he leaves 100 soldiers to guard the new town and receive reinforcements from Spain
August 31, 1519 - Tlaxcala Region - Cortés' vanguard enters in combat. The dead horses are hidden
September 12, 1519 - Tlaxcala Region - The leader of Tlaxcala, Xicoténcatl, asks for forgiveness to Cortés for the attacks
September 18, 1519 - Tlaxcala - Cortés enters in Tlaxcala, with great festivities in his honor
October 18, 1519 - Cholula, Mexico - Cholula Massacre. Cortés has aztec conspirators killed and sacks villages
November 1, 1519 - Cholula, Mexico - The Spanish army leaves Cholula devastated as Cortés heads to Huejotzingo
November 8, 1519 - Amecameca - Cortés arrives in Amecameca, after crossing the snow laden mountains of Popocatepl and Iztac
November 14, 1519 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés receives news of aztec attacks in Vera Cruz. Moctezuma is taken to the spanish headquarters and placed in check.
December 3, 1519 - Tenochtitlán - Cualpopoca, the aztec chief responsible for the Vera Cruz attacks, arrives with another fifteen officials and his sons. They are tortured and burned alive at Tenochtitlán's main square. Moctezuma is arrested.
May 29, 1520 - Zempoala, Mexico - During the night, Cortés' men climb to Zempoala's Pyramid where Pánfilo de Nárvaez slept and arrest him, wounding him in the eye with a pike. His army surrenders to Cortés.
June 24, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés returns to Tenochtitlán to reprimand Alvarado
June 25, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés releases Moctezuma's brother to open commerce, however, the aztecs attack
Noche Triste, July 1, 1520
June 28, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Spanish forces are stuck in Tenochtitlán by a large number of aztecs
June 29, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Moctezuma dies, three days after being stoned by his own people
July 1, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - "Noche Triste" (Sad Night). The Spanish army tries to sneak out of Tenochtitlán during the night of June 30th to July 1st seizing a thick mist. However, they are detected in one of Tenochtitlán's bridges, and unable to use horses and cannons, they are easy prey to the aztecs in canoes. 450 Spanish soldiers are killed, along with 46 horses and 4,000 tlaxcalan auxiliaries.
July 2, 1520 - Cuajimalpa, SW Tenochtitlán - Survivors of the "Noche Triste" arrive in Cuajimalpa
July 7, 1520 - Otumba (Toluca) - The Spanish are attacked by a large number of aztecs, but defeat them
July 11, 1520 - Tlaxcala Region - Cortés arrives in allied territory
August 1, 1520 - Cholula, Mexico - Cortés departs on a punitive expedition against Tepeaca
August 6, 1520 - Tepeaca - 400 Spanish and 40,000 tlaxcalans destroy 400 aztecs in battle. Cruelties are committed
September 15, 1520 - Tepeaca - Cortés is contacted by enemies of the aztecs and attracted to further expeditions
September 18, 1520 - Huaquechula, SW Puebla - Cortés attacks Huaquechula. The aztecs counterattack.
October(?) 1(?), 1520 - Izucar de Matamoros, SW Puebla - Izucar de Matamoros is attacked. 6,000 aztec warriors are massacred
October 15, 1520 - Tepeaca - Back to Tepeaca, Cortés meets with shipbuilders
December 13, 1520 - Tepeaca - Cortés leaves sixty men in Tepeaca and departs to Tlaxcala
December 25, 1520 - Tlaxcala - Cortés spends Christmas in Tlaxcala, with the army
December 27, 1520 - Tlaxcala - Cortés summons the allied chiefs and informs them of the beginning of the offensive for December 29th
January 1, 1521 - Coatepec, S of Texcoco - Cortés advances to Coatepec
January 2, 1521 - Texcoco - Cortés advances to Texcoco
January 9, 1521 - Iztapalapa, SE Tenochtitlán - Cortés advances to Iztapalapa
April 3, 1521 - Tlalmanalco, SE Tenochtitlán - Cortés advances to Tlalmanalco to disperse an aztec army
April 15, 1521 - Xochimilco, S of Tenochtitlán - The Spanish storm the city. Skirmishes against canoes on the next day
April 20, 1521 - Coyoacán, S of Tenochtitlán - Cortés marches to Coyoacán, which was deserted. Short reconaissance to Tenochtitlán
April 22, 1521 - Texcoco - Return to Texcoco
April 28, 1521 - Texcoco - Spanish ships are launched at Texcoco. Emissaries are sent to allies to prepare final attack
June 1, 1521 - Acachinanco, Texcoco - Cortés sets sail in his new ships
June 15, 1521 - Acachinanco, Texcoco - Advance against Iztapalapa
June 30, 1521 - Tlaltelolco, Central Tenochtitlán - Great assault to the central capital, where the Spanish are defeated
July 24, 1521 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés surprises Tenochtitlán's inhabitants and massacres 800 of them
August 3, 1521 - Tenochtitlán - The joint forces of Cortés and Alvarado kill 12,000 civilians
August 13, 1521 - Tenochtitlán - Fall of Tenochtitlán. Emperor Cuauhtémoc is caught while trying to escape
January 31, 1522 - Tututepeque (Tehuantepec Province) - Alvarado is put in front of an expedition composed of 40 soldiers on horseback, 200 infantrymen, 2 cannons and auxiliary indians. His mission: to suppress a native uprising in the province of Tehuantepec
July 1(?), 1523 - River Pánuco, Santisteban del Puerto Region - Alvarado is sent by Cortés to stop an intromission by Francisco de Garay, Governor of "Jamaica", that wanted to occupy territory conquered by Cortés' conquistadors aswell as the the new town of Santisteban del Puerto
December 6, 1523 - Tenochtitlán (Mexico City) - Cortés dispatches Alvarado to conquer territories south from Mexico, 160 horses, 300 footmen (160 of those crossbowmen and arquebusiers) and 4 cannons
January 15(?), 1524 - Tehuantepec - In his way south, Alvarado's troops arrive in Tehuantepec in the middle of January. Men and animals rest
February 13, 1524 - Tehuantepec - Alvarado resumes his march South
February 20, 1524 - Zapotitlán, Guatemala - Pedro de Alvarado defeats 10 to 12 thousand Quichés (K'iche' indians)
March 7, 1524 - Quezalteanango, Guatemala - Pedro de Alvarado destroys the capital. The indian chiefs are burned alive after confessing under torture that they planned the extermination of the spanish
April 11, 1524 - Utatlán, Guatemala - Letter to Cortés informing him of his conquests in Guatemala
April 12, 1524 - Iximche, Guatemala - Pedro de Alvarado arrives at Iximche. The natives of that region offered their friendship to the spanish since the beginning. They witnessed and participated in the destruction of their enemies by Alvarado
June 6, 1524 - River Paz, Guatemala-El Salvador border - Alvarado crosses the River Paz
June 8, 1524 - Acajutla, Sonsonate - El Salvador - As they reach the Pacific Ocean port of Acajutla, a native army of 6,000 is waiting for the spanish. The fight is ferocious with many dead and wounded, and even Alvarado is hit in the leg by an arrow. The spanish captain decides to move north and return to familiar territory as his leg starts infecting
June 17, 1524 - Cuzcatlán (future San Salvador) - Alvarado's column arrives in Cuzcatlán, where San Salvador would be founded in 1525. During the way from Acajutla, the spanish are attacked again but manage to decimate the indians again, even with Alvarado in poor condition
July 21, 1524 - Iximche, Guatemala - Alvarado returns to Iximche
July 24, 1524 - Iximche, Guatemala - Letter to Cortés informing him of his conquests in Guatemala
July 25, 1524 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - As the festivities of Santiago, patron of Spain, were approaching, Alvarado decides to found the city of Santiago de los Caballeros where Iximche existed
June 5, 1525 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Letter to the Lieutenant-Govenors of Mexico City
January 30, 1526 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Presides at the city council of Santiago de los Caballeros
February 7, 1526 - Xepach, Guatemala - Pedro de Alvarado destroys the secret capital of Xepach
September 3, 1526 - Temuxtitlán - Letter to Charles V about the desire to rescue the provinces of Utatlán and Guatemala
September 10(?), 1526 - Mexico City - Alvarado arives in Mexico City to rest
February 1(?), 1527 - Vera Cruz - Alvarado departs to Vera Cruz to take a ship to Spain. Back in the old country, his enemies, the same enemies of Cortés, spread gossip about Alvarado's excesses against the natives and his participation in the Tlatelolco massacre
May(?) 1(?), 1527 - Seville, Spain - Arrival in Seville after a long two and a half months of voyage
December 18, 1527 - Burgos, Spain - Interview with Emperor Charles V. Alvarado is named Governor of Guatemala. Alvarado, Cobos and Dr.Diego Beltrán, Advisor of the Indies, agree to a company contract to introduce 600 black slaves in the Indies, to work in the mines of Guatemala
December 20, 1527 - Burgos, Spain - Charles V grants Pedro de Alvarado the military title of "Adelantado"
January 1(?), 1528 - Seville - Alvarado marries Francisca de la Cueva.
June(?) 1(?), 1528 - Seville - Alvarado and Cortés ignore each other, because Alvarado had promised Cortés that he would marry Cecilia Vázquez, Cortes' cousin. Alvarado broke his promise and instead married Francisca de la Cueva
July 1(?), 1528 - Seville - Departs to Vera Cruz
October 1(?), 1528 - Vera Cruz, Mexico - Returns to Mexico. Francisca de la Cueva dies and is buried there
April 11, 1530 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Alvarado returns to Santiago and is formally accepted as the highest authority in the territory
May 8, 1530 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - The tired Cakchiqueles capitulate before Alvarado at Santiago. The conquistador was not generous, enslaving many of them and demanding tributes in gold
August 5, 1532 - Santiago de los Caballeros - Alvarado is given the faculty to conquer and populate the islands that he would find towards the South Sea (Pacific Ocean), as well as the mainland not granted to another Spanyard
September 1, 1532 - Santiago de los Caballeros - Letter to Charles V telling him that 8 ships were already built
January 18, 1534 - El Realejo, Nicaragua - Alvarado finishes directing the works of construction of a large fleet in Port of la Posesión (El Realejo)
January 23, 1534 - Iztapa (coast of Guatemala) - Pedro de Alvarado sets sail to Peru with 10 ships and an army of 500 spanish soldiers, 200 black slaves and more than 2,000 guatemalan indians
February 25, 1534 - Portoviejo, Manta - Equador - Alvarado lands in Portoviejo, with the intention of capturing Guayaquil
August 26, 1534 - Ambato, Equador - Agreement between Alvarado and Almagro. Many soldiers stay to join Pizarro's army
April 20, 1535 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Alvarado enters in Santiago totally defeated, humiliated and with the loss of everything invested in the enterprise
June 1(?), 1536 - Iver Ulua Valley, W Honduras - Alvarado defeats the indigenous resistance led by Cicumba
July 27, 1536 - Puerto Caballos, Honduras - Sets sail to Cuba
January(?) 1(?), 1537 - Cuba - Sets sail to Spain
February(?) 1(?), 1537 - Azores Islands - Alvarado arrives in the Azores, where he stays for a few months
August 1(?), 1537 - Lisbon, Portugal - Alvarado arrives in Lisbon and decides to take the route to the Spanish Court immediatly
October 17, 1538 - Alvarado marries Beatriz de la Cueva, sister of his first wife
January 1(?), 1539 - Sanlúcar de Barrameda - Alvarado and Beatriz de la Cueva depart to the New World
March 1(?), 1539 - Santo Domingo - The three ships (Santa Catalina, Santa María de Guadalupe and Trinidad) stop at Santo Domingo
April 4, 1539 - Puerto Caballos, Honduras - Alvarado arrives in Puerto Caballos, which they find empty and without the presence of spanyards. It was necessary to send a message to Santiago for the preparation of the movement of people and cargo
September 15, 1539 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Alvarado and Beatriz de la Cueva arrive in Santiago de los Caballeros, after five months in with a road from Puerto Caballos was built
November 1(?), 1539 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - While Alvarado meditates about his next expedition, 700 men and 14 ships are available
September 1(?), 1540 - Acajutla, Sonsonate - El Salvador - Alvarado sets sail to the north with 9 ships and 1,000 men
October(?) 1(?), 1540 - Barra de Navidad, SW Guadalajara - Alvarado's fleet stops at Navidad to replenish the ships with water and supplies. Alvarado receives a message from the Viceroy of Mexico, Antonio de Mendoza, requesting a meeting to discuss a matter of his interest
November 29, 1540 - Mexico City - Alvarado and the Viceroy of Mexico, Antonio de Mendoza, agree in mutual participations in their businesses
June 6, 1541 - Barra de Navidad, SW Guadalajara - Alvarado returns to his fleet and men in Navidad. Departs to Guadalajara
June 12, 1541 - Guadalajara - Alvarado and his men arrive in Guadalajara
June 24, 1541 - Nochistlán, NNE Guadalajara - Alvarado and his men put siege to the well defended Nochistlán. Alvarado has his ribs broken by a scared horse that steps in him
July 4, 1541 - Guadalajara - Alvarado dies days after the horse accident, aged 56 =(END)

Thursday 20 July 2017

Martin Luther | Timeline

Martin Luther (10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546), was a German professor of theology, composer, priest, monk and a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. (Intro from Wikipedia)

November 10, 1483 - Eisleben - Martin Luther is born
January(?) 1(?), 1484 - Mansfeld - Luther family moves to Mansfeld, where Martin's father was a leaseholder of copper mines and smelters and served as one of four citizen representatives on the local council
January(?) 1(?), 1497 - Magdeburg - Hans Luther sends his son to the Latin School in Magdeburg
January(?) 1(?), 1498 - Eisenach - Hans Luther sends his son to study in Eisenach
January(?) 1(?), 1501 - Erfurt - At the age of 19, Martin Luther enters the University of Erfurt (which he later described as a beerhouse and whorehouse)
January(?) 1(?), 1505 - Erfurt - Martin Luther receives his master's degree
July 2, 1505 - Erfurt - Returning to university on horseback after a trip home, during a thunderstorm, a lightning bolt strikes near him. He was terrified of death and divine judgment, and cried out, "Help! Saint Anna, I will become a monk!". He came to view his cry for help as a vow he could never break =(START)
July 17, 1505 - Erfurt - Luther sells his books, leaves law school and enters St.Augustine's Monastery
April 3, 1507 - Erfurt - Luther is ordained priest by Jerome Scultetus, Bishop of Brandenburg, in Erfurt Cathedral
January(?) 1(?), 1508 - Erfurt - Von Staupitz, first dean of the newly founded University of Wittenberg, sends for Luther, to teach theology
March 9, 1508 - Erfurt - Luther receives a bachelor's degree in Biblical studies
January(?) 1(?), 1509 - Luther receives a bachelor's degree in the "sentences" by Peter Lombard (XII century)
October 19, 1512 - Wittenberg - Luther is awarded his Doctor of Theology
October 21, 1512 - Wittenberg - Luther is received into the senate of the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg, having succeeded Staupitz as chair of theology
October 31, 1517 - Wittenberg - Luther writes to his bishop, Albert of Mainz, protesting the sale of indulgences
October 5, 1518 - Nuremberg - Luther, accompanied by two of Elector Frederick's advisors, come through Nuremberg on their way to the Diet at Augsburg. He meets with Albrecht Dürer's neighbor, Lazarus Spengler, the secretary to the Nuremberg Council
October 12, 1518 - Augsburg - Over a three-day period, Luther defends himself under questioning by papal legate Cardinal Cajetan
January 1(?), 1519 - Altenburg - The Papal Nuncio Karl von Miltitz adopts a more conciliatory approach. Luther makes certain concessions to the Saxon, who was a relative of the Elector, and promised to remain silent if his opponents did.
July 1(?), 1519 - Leipzig - Luther is invited to speak in a public debate. Johann Eck tries to expose his doctrine
June 15, 1520 - Wittenberg(?) - The Pope warns Luther with the papal bull (edict) "Exsurge Domine" that he risks excommunication unless he recants 41 sentences drawn from his writings, including the Ninety-five Theses, within 60 days
October 1(?), 1520 - Wittenberg(?) - Luther sends the Pope a copy of "On the Freedom of a Christian"
November 12, 1520 - (While at Wittenberg)(?) - News of a papal bull ordering the burning of Luther's books arrive in Cologne
December 10, 1520 - Wittenberg - Luther publicly burns the papal bull (edict) and decretals
January 3, 1521 - Wittenberg - Luther is excommunicated by Pope Leo X, in the bull "Decet Romanum Pontificem".
April 18, 1521 - Worms - Luther appears as ordered before the Diet of Worms
May 1, 1521 - Wartburg Castle, Eisenach - Luther is taken to the Castle of Wartberg by Frederick III to save his life
August 1, 1521 - Wartburg Castle, Eisenach - Letter to Philip Melanchthon (German lutheran reformer)
December 1(?), 1521 - Wittenberg - Luther visits Wittenberg, in disguise
March 1, 1522 - Wartburg Castle, Eisenach - End of Luther's stay at Wartburg Castle, after translating the "New Testament"
March 6, 1522 - Wittenberg - Luther secretly returns to Wittenberg
March 9, 1522 - Wittenberg - Luther restarts preaching his sermons - Eight sermons in eight days, which became known as the "Invocavit sermons"
April 1(?), 1523 - Nimbschen Convent, Grimma, SE Leipzig - Luther helps twelve nuns escape from a Cistercian convent at Nimbschen, including Katharina von Bora, his future wife, when he arranges for them to be smuggled out in herring barrels
June 13, 1525 - Wittenberg - Luther marries Katharina von Bora
January 1, 1526 - Wittenberg - Luther starts reorganizing the practises of the Church in depth
October 1, 1529 - Marburg - Beginning of the Marburg Colloquy, convoked by Philipp I, Landgrave of Hessen
October 4, 1529 - Marburg - End of the Marburg Colloquy
January(?) 1(?), 1536 - Wittenberg - Luther begins suffering from kidney and bladder stones, and arthritis
December 1(?), 1544 - Wittenberg - Luther begins feeling the effects of angina
February 15, 1546 - Eisleben, W. of Halle - Luther's last sermon
February 18, 1546 - Eisleben - Martin Luther dies, aged 62 =(END)

Monday 17 July 2017

Cornelis de Houtman | Timeline

Cornelis de Houtman (2 April 1565 – 1 September 1599), brother of Frederick de Houtman, was a Dutch explorer who discovered a new sea route from Europe to Indonesia and who thus begun the Dutch spice trade. At the time, the Portuguese Empire held a monopoly on the spice trade, and the voyage was a symbolic victory for the Dutch, even though the voyage itself was a disaster. Houtman was also a spy, having worked against the Portuguese by bringing back to the Netherlands privileged nautical information obtained during his stay in Portugal. (Intro from Wikipedia)

April 2, 1565 - Gouda - Cornelis de Houtman is born
January(?) 1(?), 1592 - Lisbon, Portugal - Cornelis de Houtman is sent by Amsterdam merchants to Lisbon to discover as much information on the Spice Islands as he could - He is arrested under the accusation of being a spy =(START)
January(?) 1(?), 1595 - Lisbon - Houtman is released and returns to Amsterdam
April 2, 1595 - Texel - Houtman sets sail to the East Indies with four ships - "Amsterdam", "Hollandia", "Mauritius" and "Duyfken". Paulus van Caerden goes in the fleet as a midshipman
April 26, 1595 - Canary Islands - Passage through the Canary Islands
May 4, 1595 - S. of Canary Islands - Houtman encounters two heavily armed portuguese men-of-war of 1,000 to 1,200 tons, who mercifully are not inclined to attack the dutchmen. In fact, the encounter is very friendly. Visits and small gifts are exchanged. The Portuguese admiral speaks wistfully of Dom Pedro and seems unhappy to be a part of the Spanish Empire. Then the Portuguese continue on their way to Goa, to which city they were carrying the new archbishop
May 11, 1595 - Between the Canary Islands and Cape Verde - Houtman finds the squadron of Joris Van Medemblick
May 19, 1595 - Mayo Island, Cape Verde - Landing on the Island of Mayo
June 4, 1595 - Line of the Equator - Cornelis de Houtman crosses the line of the Equator
August 4, 1595 - Mossel Bay, South Africa - Arrival in Mossel Bay
August 8, 1595 - Mossel Bay, South Africa - The crew goes ashore to get oysters and mussels
August 11, 1595 - Mossel Bay, South Africa - Houtman resumes voyage
September 3, 1595 - Southern tip of Madagascar - Arrival in Madagascar. Houtman is forced to stay for six months
September 13, 1595 - Island of Nosy Manitse, S. of Madagascar - Houtman stays on the micro-island until October 7, west of Faux-cap
October 9, 1595 - St Augustin Bay - SW Madagascar - Houtman arrives at St Augustin Bay, and stays until December 13
December 14, 1595 - St Augustin Bay - SW Madagascar - With many crewmen recovered of disease, Houtman departs for Java
January 5, 1596 - Saint-Mary's Island, NE Madagascar - On the way to Java they are forced to return to Antongil Bay by a storm
February 12, 1596 - Saint-Mary's Island, NE Madagascar - After richly stocked with various provisions, Houtman resumes voyage
June 5, 1596 - Island of Pulau Enggano, NW Sunda Strait - After a difficult voyage with southeast winds, Houtman arrives at the Sunda Strait
June 22, 1596 - Bantam, Java - Arrival at Bantam in Java. After being badly received, they bombard the city.
August 28, 1596 - Bantam, Java - Houtman protests for the presence of two Portuguese junks loading pepper there
September 5, 1596 - Bantam, Java - Houtman and the Dutch ashore are arrested. The ships open fire
September 7, 1596 - Bantam, Java - Twenty Javanese ships surround the Dutch, but with their cannons, the Dutch destroy them
November 6, 1596 - Bantam, Java - After resuming trading in September, Houtman heads east
December 5, 1596 - Sidajoe (Surabaya?) - Houtman's ship is attacked, and with many dead aboard, he is forced to sail away
December 8, 1596 - Pulau Madura, Java - Houtman anchors in Pulau Madura. Suspicious, a Javanese Prince is killed by mistake
January 11, 1597 - Bawean - With only 94 men for 4 ships, the "Amsterdam" is purposely set on fire and the crew divided over the other three ships
Cornelis de Houtman at Bali, 1597
February 26, 1597 - Bali - Arrival at Bali and meeting with the king. They managed to obtain a few pots of peppercorns
May(?) 15(?), 1597 - Cape of Good Hope - Houtman rounds the Cape of Good Hope
June(?) 11(?), 1597 - St.Helena Island - At St.Helena Island, a tense situation develops when the portuguese there prevent the dutch from anchoring, landing and resupplying
August 14, 1597 - Texel - Return of the first expedition
March 15, 1598 - Veere - Houtman departs to the East Indies in his second expedition with the "Leeuw"(400-tons) and the "Leeuwin"(100-tons). Englishman John Davis is the "Leeuw"'s pilot master. Houtman's brother Frederik also sails with the expedition
March 22, 1598 - Torbay, Devon - Both ships anchor in Torbay, having a contrary wind
April 7, 1598 - Torbay - Houtman sets sail from Torbay
April 20, 1598 - Off Porto Santo Island - Houtman sails past Porto Santo Island, Madeira archipelago
April 23, 1598 - Off Las Palmas, Canary Islands - Sailing off Las Palmas, Canary Islands
April 30, 1598 - St.Nicolau Island, Cape Verde - Houtman anchors at St.Nicolau Island, Canary Islands
May 9, 1598 - Off Santiago Island, Cape Verde - After watering at St.Nicolau on th 7th, Houtman weighs anchor on the 9th, sailing past Santiago Island
June 9, 1598 - N. of João Pessoa, Brazil - Houtman sights the coast of Brazil, but is not able to double Cape St.Augustine with inconstant weather and bad winds
June 15, 1598 - Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil - Houtman is forced to sail north and anchor at Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil
August 26, 1598 - Fernando de Noronha Island - Houtman weighs anchor and sails to the coast of mainland Brazil
August 30, 1598 - Cape St.Augustine, S.of Recife, Brazil - Houtman doubles Cape St.Augustine
September 10, 1598 - Abrolhos Archipelago, South Coast of Bahia, Brazil - Houtman sails past the dangerous shoals of Abrolhos Archipelago
September 13, 1598 - Off Espirito Santo, Brazil - Houtman shapes course for the Cape of Good Hope
November 11, 1598 - Table Bay, South Africa - Houtman reaches South Africa and anchors in Saldanha Bay. The natives sell oxen and sheep for spike nails and pieces of old iron. (*) The Table Bay of the navigators of that time was "Saldanha Bay", which can cause confusion with the modern Saldanha Bay.
November 19, 1598 - Table Bay, South Africa - A large number of natives suddenly attack the dutch, killing 13 of them
December 27, 1598 - Table Bay, South Africa - Houtman sets sail for the Cape
December 31, 1598 - Cape of Good Hope - Houtman doubles the Cape of Good Hope
January 6, 1599 - Cape Agulhas, South Africa - Houtman doubles Cape Agulhas, the most southern point of Africa
February 13, 1599 - St. Augustine Bay, SW Madagascar - Houtman reaches Madagascar, an island inhabited by natives very hostile to the dutch. Houtman is forced to execute one right on first landing, the rest flee, leaving the dutch without fresh provisions
March 8, 1599 - St.Augustine Bay - The dutch run out of food
March 14, 1599 - St.Augustine Bay - Houtman decides to set sail from that hostile place that they call "Hungry Bay"
March 30, 1599 - Mayotte, Comoros Islands - Houtman anchors at Mayotte, Comoros Islands. There, the people are friendly and go on board the ships to present victuals to the sailors. The King of Mayotte greets them dressed in turkish fashion and also gives them a letter of recommendation for the Queen of the Island of Anjouan, Anzuame, or Hinzuan ("Nzuani")
April 17, 1599 - Mayotte, Comoros Islands - Houtman sails to the neighbour Island of Anjouan
April 19, 1599 - Anjouan (Nzwani), Comoros Islands - Houtman anchors at Anjouan, an island rich in victuals and often visited by muslim and indian merchants
April 28, 1599 - Anjouan (Nzwani), Comoros Islands - Houtman sails to India, via Mascarenhas Island and the Shoals of Almirante
May 23, 1599 - Maldives - Houtman arrives at the Maldives Islands
May 27, 1599 - Maldives - On the 27th, Houtman sets sail with the help of an old man who pilots them through the channels, having done it in the past for the portuguese
June 3, 1599 - S. of Kollam, SW India - Houtman reaches the SW coast of India and sails directly to Cape Camorin (southernmost point of India)
June 16, 1599 - Off Banda Aceh - Watering at one of the islands near the coast of Banda Aceh
June 21, 1599 - Aceh - Houtman anchors at Aceh Bay. Gifts are exchanged with the King
July 20, 1599 - Aceh - At a meeting with the King, Houtman accepts to participate in a war against the King of Johor, in return, the dutch ships would be fully ladden with pepper. Houtman accepts
September 1, 1599 - Aceh - As the dutch prepare to sail, they are attacked by aceh forces they thought were boarding to fight Johor. The dutch loose 68 men including Cornelis Houtman, aged 34. Frederik Houtman is captured =(END)

Bibliography
KERR, Rober - "A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. VIII"
MONTEIRO, Saturnino - "Batalhas e Combates da Marinha Portuguesa, Vol.4"

Saturday 15 July 2017

Jacob van Heemskerck | Timeline

Jacob van Heemskerck (3 March 1567 in Amsterdam – 25 April 1607 in Bay of Gibraltar) was a Dutch explorer and later admiral commanding the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Gibraltar. Brother of Cornelis van "Heemskerck" (historically correct spelling) himself a less renowned explorer of Brazil. (Intro from Wikipedia)

March 3, 1567 - Amsterdam - Jacob van Heemskerck is born
July 2, 1595 - Texel - Van Heemskerck departs in the second expedition of Willem Barentsz, as a clerk =(START)
August 19, 1595 - Strait of Pet (Kara), Russia - Arrives to the Pet Streit, which was completely frozen
August 30, 1595 - Between Siberia and Vaygach Island - encounters with samoyeds
September 4, 1595 - States Island (Severny Island?) - Part of the crew goes ashore and is attacked by a polar bear
October 28(?), 1595 - Texel - Return of the unsuccessful expedition
May 18, 1596 - Texel - Van Heemskerck departs in the third expedition of Willem Barentsz
May 22, 1596 - Fair Isle, Orkneys - Arrival in Fair Isle, between the Orkneys and Shetlands
June 6, 1596 - Off Lofoten - Passage off Lofoten
June 9, 1596 - Bear Island - Discovery of Bear Island
June 17, 1596 - Spitsbergen - Discovery of Spitsbergen
July 1, 1596 - Bear Island - Return to Bear Island
July 17, 1596 - Novaya Zemlya - Arrival at Novaya Zemlya
August 27, 1596 - Ledyanaya Gavan, NE Novaya Zemlya (Kara Sea) - The ship gets stuck in the ice, and they decide to winter there in a house built out of driftwood and planks from the tween decks and the deck-house of the vessel
June 13, 1597 - Ledyanaya Gavan, NE Novaya Zemlya (Kara Sea) - They make their way to the Sea in two open boats off the Lapland coast
June 20, 1597 - Arctic - Willem Barentsz dies at sea, while studying charts
August 1(?), 1597 - Kildin Island - Arrival at Kildin Island
August 30, 1597 - Kola, S. of Murmansk - Van Heemskerck and survivors arrive in Kola and find Van Rijp
September 17, 1597 - Kola, S. of Murmansk - Departs to Holland, aboard van Rijp's ship
November 1, 1597 - Amsterdam - Jacob Van Heemskerk manages to reach Amsterdam with the other survivors
May 1, 1598 - Texel - Van Heemskerck departs for the Maluku Islands in Jacob van Neck's fleet
May(?) 20(?), 1598 - Canary Islands - Passage through the Canary Islands
August 1, 1598 - Cape of Good Hope - Van Neck rounds the Cape of Good Hope, making an excelent time
August 8, 1598 - E. of Cape of Good Hope - A storm splits the fleet in two: "Amsterdam", "Gelderland", "Zeelandia", "Utrecht", "Vriesland" head to Mauritius under Van Warwijk and Van Heemskerk
September 18, 1598 - SE. Mauritius - Warwijck anchors at Cerne Island, rebaptized as Mauritius. Sends men ashore to search for food and fresh water
September 21, 1598 - SE. Mauritius - A Council held on board the "Amsterdam" decides that there should be further excursions inland - 8 in total happen in the next days (Jolinck describes it in writing)
October 2, 1598 - SE. Mauritius - Van Warwijck and Van Heemskerck weigh anchor
November 27, 1598 - Pulau Enggano, Sumatra (W Sunda Strait) - Chegada a Engano, com Van Warwijck
December 30, 1598 - Bantam, Java - Wybrand Van Warwijck arrives in Bantam, to Van Neck's celebration
January 8, 1599 - Bantam, Java - Van Heemskerk receives orders from Van Neck to head for the Spice Islands. The "Vrieslant" joins Van Neck's group
January 9, 1599 - Gresik (Surabaya) - Van Warwijck and Van Heemskerck arrive in Gresik
January 18(?), 1599 - Arissabaya, W. of Pulau Madura, Java - Van Warwijck and Van Heemskerk fight natives at Arissabaya, losing a number of men by drowning and having to ransom many prisoners
March 3, 1599 - Hila Bay, Amboyna (Ambon) - Van Warwijck and Van Heemskerck reach Amboyna - They follow separate voyages
March 11, 1599 - Hila Bay, Amboyna (Ambon) - Van Heemskerck sets sail to Banda with the "Gelderland" and the "Zeelandia"
March 15, 1599 - Great Banda - Arrives in Great Banda and befriends the local habitants for future businesses
July 5, 1599 - Great Banda - Van Heemskerck sets sail to Bantam
July 11, 1599 - Buton - Sailing along Buton
July 12, 1599 - Cabayne Island(?) - The fleet reaches Cabayne Island. May, skipper of the "Zeelandia" is summoned to the flagship and it is decided that it was best to take in their sails and drift
September(?) 1(?), 1599 - Bantam, Java - Stop at Bantam in route back to Holland
December 8, 1599 - St.Helena Island - Van Heemskerck anchors at St.Helena Island
January 1, 1600 - St.Helena Island - Van Heemskerck sets sail to Holland
May 19, 1600 - Texel - Arrival in Texel, with the "Gelderland" and "Zeelandia", full of nuts, mace and cloves
April 23, 1601 - Texel - Departs to India with eight ships (plus another five of Wolphert Harmensz.). Willem Schouten goes with the fleet 
May 8, 1601 - Off Azores Islands - The faster ships of Wolphert Harmensz, separate from Van Heemskerck's squadron
June 16, 1601 - N of St.Helena Island - Van Noort's and Van Heemskerck's ships meet north of St.Helena Island
February 22, 1602 - Bantam, Java - Van Heemskerck arrives in Bantam
May 11, 1602 - Bantam, Java - Van Heemskerck sends Hans Schuurmans in the "Amsterdam" back to Europe with cargo
May 21, 1602 - Bantam, Java - Van Heemskerck departs from Bantam with the"Witte Leeuw" And the "Alkmaar". De Lint sails to Holland
June(?) 1(?), 1602 - Demak, NE Semarang, Central Java - Nineteen dutch sailors are captured at Demak. They are released later and Van Heemskerck continues voyage
July(?) 1(?), 1602 - Jortam, Strait of Madura (E of Java) - Van Heemskerck obtains a licence to build a Factory
August 1(?), 1602 - Patani (S. of Makassar) - Van Heemskerck arrives in Patani where he is welcomed. Stays for three months
November 16, 1602 - Patani (S. of Makassar) - Van Heemskerck departs from Patani
February 25, 1603 - Singapore, East Coast - Van Heemskerck captures the 1,500 tons "Santa Catharina", after seventy killed on board, the Portuguese decide to surrender with the promise of Van Heemskerk saving their lives and landing them in Malacca - The capture causes great consternation throughout Oriente, not only because of the lost wealth, but because for the first time the Portuguese were royally defeated in a region where until then they dominated without challenge to the height
March(?) 1(?), 1603 - Malacca - The admiral, who initially thought of executing the prisoners for fear of losing the ship and his cargo, agrees to spare the Portuguese and keeps the promise made, to the extent that he is later thanked for the attitude of mercy by the county and bishop of Malacca (Speculative date)
June(?) 1(?), 1603 - Bantam, Java - Van Heemskerck arrives in Bantam with four ships, and sees another nine dutch ships in the roadsted (Van Warwijck and Van Spilbergen were also there at the time)
August 27, 1603 - Bantam, Java - Letter to the directors of the East India Company
October 18, 1603 - Bantam, Java - Van Heemskerck sets sail to Holland with the "Santa Catharina" repaired
December(?) 1(?), 1603 - near Mauritius - The "Alkmaar" starts taking on water and therefore it goes to Mauritius island to try to make the necessary repairs. Van Heemskerck continues to Holland. Meanwhile, the "Alkmaar"'s captain could not find the island, and so he heads to Antongil Bay. The ship was very damaged by the woodworm and was difficult to recover; The crew itself begins to fall ill, without the end of work in sight
July 1(?), 1604 - Texel - Van Heemskerck returns to the Netherlands with the "Witte Leeuw" and the "Santa Catharina"
September 14, 1604 - Amsterdam - Van Heemskerck marries Geertruid Maria Coltermann
January(?) 1(?), 1606 - Amsterdam(?) - Geertruid Maria Coltermann and child die in childbirth
January 18, 1607 - ? - Van Heemskerck is appointed as temporary vice-admiral of Holland and West Friesland
February 27, 1607 - Den Helder - Van Heemskerck makes his will, in the presence of three other captains in the "Roode Leeuw" (Red Lion) Hostel
March(?) 22(?), 1607 - Texel - The dutch fleet departs on a pre-emptive strike expedition to Gibraltar, to force negociations
March 29, 1607 - Isle of Wight - Van Heemskerck's fleet of twenty four ships assemble at the Isle of Wight
April 10, 1607 - River Tagus mouth, Portugal - Van Heemskerck sends a lugger in trading disguise ro reconnoitre the river. He ascertained by his spies, sent in this and subsequently in other directions, as well as by occasional merchantmen spoken with at sea, that the Portuguese fleet for India would not be ready to sail for many weeks; that no valuable argosies were yet to be looked for from America, but that a great war fleet, comprising many galleons of the largest size, was at that very moment cruising in the Straits of Gibraltar
Battle of Gibraltar, 1607
April 22, 1607 - River Tagus mouth, Portugal - Van Heemskerk sets course to Gibraltar after listening to a merchant that saw the Spanish fleet there
April 25, 1607 - Off Tangiers | Strait of Gibraltar - Van Heemskerk arrives in the Strait of Gibraltar in the morning. After finding the spanish fleet at anchor inside the Bay of Gibraltar, he summons all dutch captains aboard his flagship, the "Aeolus"
April 25, 1607 - Bay of Gibratar - During the battle, Jacob Van Heemskerk is hit in the leg by a cannon-ball and dies minutes later, aged 40 =(END)

Bibliography
LOTHROP MOTLEY, John - "History of the United Netherlands: From the death of William the Silent to the Twelve Years' Truce - 1609."

Thursday 13 July 2017

Jacob Van Neck | Timeline

Jacob Corneliszoon van Neck (1564–1638) was a Dutch naval officer and explorer who led the second Dutch expedition to Indonesia from 1598 to 1599. He was Burgomaster of the city of Amsterdam and member of two Admiralty Colleges.

January(?) 1(?), 1564 - Amsterdam - Jacob Corneliszoon Van Neck is born
May 1, 1598 - Texel - Van Neck departs for the Maluku Islands with Wybrand Van Warwijck as vice-admiral =(START)
May(?) 20(?) - Canary Islands - Passage through the Canary Islands
August 1, 1598 - Cape of Good Hope - Van Neck rounds the Cape of Good Hope, making an excelent time
August 8, 1598 - E. of the Cape of Good Hope - A storm splits the fleet in two: "Mauritius", "Hollandia" and "Overijssel" head to Madagascar under Van Neck
August 16, 1598 - Île-Saint Marie, E. of Madagascar - After the storm, Van Neck lands for provisions 
August 20, 1598 - Île-Saint Marie, E. of Madagascar - Thanksgiving in Madagascar, eating "Dodos"
November 19, 1598 - Off Sumatra - Sumatra in sight
November 24, 1598 - Samor, S. of Sumatra - Van Neck anchors off Samor, in the south of Sumatra, before sailing through the Sunda Strait
November 26, 1598 - Bantam, Java - Van Neck arrives in Bantam, with the three ships
December 25, 1598 - Bantam, Java - Christmas. Van Neck's ships are fully loaded
January 11, 1598 - Bantam, Java - Van Neck sets sail for the return voyage
January 12, 1598 - Samor, S. of Sumatra - Van Neck anchors at Samor to replenish the ships with fresh water and bring the sick on land
January 18, 1598 - Samor - Van Neck sets sail to Holland
April 7, 1598 - Cape of Good Hope - Van Neck and Janszoon round the Cape of Good Hope
Return of the Second Expedition
to the East Indies, 1599
April 26, 1598 - St.Helena Island - Van Neck anchors at St.Helena Island
May 4, 1598 - St.Helena Island - Van Neck sets sail to Holland
June(?) 15(?), 1599 - Cape Verde Islands - Passage through the Cape Verde Islands (speculative date and place)
July 17, 1599 - Texel - Van Neck returns to Holland
July 27, 1599 - Amsterdam - Back in Amsterdam
June 28, 1600 - Texel - Van Neck departs to Bantam with six ships
October(?) 1(?), 1600 - Annobon Island - Van Neck decides to devide his squadron in two groups. One, under Cornelis Van Foreest, proceeds to Sumatra
January 1(?), 1601 - Cape of Good Hope - Storms during the crossing of the Cape
March 30, 1601 - Bantam, Java - Arrival in Bantam
May 1, 1601 - Bantam, Java - Van Neck departs to Ternate
June 2, 1601 - Ternate - Arrival in Ternate to load a cargo of cloves. Van Neck finds De Lint and receives him
June(?) 15(?), 1601 - Tidore - Van Neck attacks the portuguese fort in Tidore and fails, loosing some fingers in the fight
July 29, 1601 - Ternate - Van Neck and De Lint are offered a banquet by the King of Ternate
July 31, 1601 - Ternate - Van Neck's council decides to sail to Patani, however, the monsoon forces the dutch admiral to take a course he didn't want initially. Unable to make the route north of the Celebes and Borneo, Van Neck heads to Macao
August 19, 1601 - Cuyo Island, S of Mindoro, Philippines - On the way to Macao
September 20, 1601 - South Coast of China - After a violent storm that causes damage to the ships, the south coast of China is sighted
September 27, 1601 - Macao - Arrival in Macao, where for lack of information about the seabed, Van Neck has a ship stranded and then captured by the portuguese
October 3, 1601 - Off Macao - Depards to Patani, in the south Celebes (Sulawesi)(October 21st?)
October 27, 1601 - Singora, S. of Thailand -  Van Neck reaches Singora and is greeted friendly. They are offered food but refuse to stay for long, as there is not much trade going on.
November 7, 1601 - Patani (S. of Makassar) - Arrival in Patani, South Celebes (Sulawesi). He stays for several months
August 23, 1602 - Patani (S. of Makassar) - Van Neck sets sail from Patani
September 27, 1602 - Bantam, Java - Return to Bantam
December 1, 1602 - Bantam, Java - Van Neck departs to Holland
February(?) 20(?), 1602 - Cape of Good Hope - Van Neck rounds the Cape of Good Hope (speculative date)
March(?) 12(?), 1603 - St.Helena Island - Stop at St.Helena Island (Speculative date and place)
June(?) 13(?), 1603 - Cape Verde Islands - Passage through the Cape Verde Islands (speculative date and place)
July 15, 1603 - Amsterdam - Van Neck returns to Holland
January 11, 1604 - Amsterdam(?) - Van Neck Marries Griet Jacobs van Rijn
January 24, 1606 - Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam - Baptism of daughter Weyntje, at the Nieuwe Kerk
January(?) 1(?), 1610 - Amsterdam - Daughter Weyntge is born (Van Neck's first daughter is born in 1606. We believe the reference to 1610 is incorrect, or, the child born in 1606 may have died and this is a second Weyntge)
January(?) 1(?), 1612 - Amsterdam - Daughter Maria is born
January(?) 1(?), 1620 - ? - Van Neck becomes a member of the Admiralty Board of Zeeland
January(?) 1(?), 1621 - Amsterdam - Member of the Town Council of Amsterdam (Vroedschap) from 1621
January(?) 1(?), 1622 - Amsterdam - Burgomaster of the City of Amsterdam
January(?) 1(?), 1623 - Amsterdam - Burgomaster of the City of Amsterdam
January(?) 1(?), 1625 - Amsterdam - Burgomaster of the City of Amsterdam
January(?) 1(?), 1626 - Amsterdam - Burgomaster of the City of Amsterdam
January(?) 1(?), 1628 - Amsterdam - Becomes a member of the Town Council and member of the Admiralty board of Amsterdam
April 1, 1629 - Amsterdam - Son Jacob Van Neck II is born
January(?) 1(?), 1631 - Amsterdam - Pays 300 guilders in tax
May 8, 1635 - ? - Daughter Weyntge marries Jean Le Gouche
March 8, 1638 - Amsterdam - Jacob Corneliszoon Van Neck dies, aged 74 =(END)