Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 16.djvu/313

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The forefront of Afrike, and so foorth of other places: by which map Don Henry the kings third sonne was much helped and furthered in his discoueries.

It was tolde me by Francis de Sosa Tauares, that in the yeere 1528. Don Fernando the kings sonne and heire did shewe him a map, which was found in the studie of Alcobaza, which had been made 120. yeeres before, which map did set foorth all the nauigation of the East Indies, with the Cape of Bona Sperança according as our later maps, haue described it.

Whereby it appeereth, that in ancient time there was as much or more discouered, then now there is. Notwithstanding all the trauaile, paines and expences in this action of Don Henry, yet he was neuer wearie of his purposed discoueries.

At length there was a seruant of his called Gilianes that first passed the Cape Bojador, a place before terrible to all men: and he brought word that it was not so dangerous, as it was reported: for on the other side of it he went on land, and in maner of taking possession, set in the ground a crosse of wood, to be as a marke and token afterwards of his discouery so farre.

In the yeere 1433. in the moneth of August Don Iohn died, and his sonne Don Durate or Edward succeeded him in the kingdome.

In the yeere 1434 Don Henry set out one Alfonso Gonsales Baldaia, and Gilianes aforesaid, and they went to another Cape, which was beyond the former, and going on land perceiued the countrey to be inhabited: and because they were desirous to satisfie Don Henry with as much relation and knowledge as they could get, they continued their voiage, and went forward, till they came to a certaine point of land, from whence they turned backe againe.

In the yeere 1438. king Edward, whom the Portugals call Don Duarte died, and Don Alphonso the prince being yoong, Don Peter his vncle gouerned the kingdome.

In the yeere 1441. Don Henry sent out two ships, and the captaines were in the one Tristan, and Antonie Gonsales in the other. Being put to sea they tooke a prise vpon