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 And now also the king of Calicut was come forth of the Torcull to Calycut 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 Sâ—â—dania which went in the Vangarde didde close with the two ships with the which they fought a while These ships being boorded 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 â— Towne which was dispoiled both by the Moores and Gentiles the which did well know that our men would come vpon theÌ„ 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 â— 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 â— which were mingled with the houses of the Gentiles and Moores 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 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 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 â— king his masters behalfe 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 he is come out of the Torcull presuming on his great power and hauing encreased or rather doubled his pride doth in recompence of
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 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 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 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 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 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 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
willed him y â— if so be y â— 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 froÌ„ 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 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 wtout him The king did therfore promise him so to do that forthwith he wold dispatch him thether After y â— he was desirous to know y e whole estate of y e king of 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 coÌ„manded 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 â— 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 coÌ„maund some of his men to carry him vpon their backs not for the water only but for y â— it would be late or euer y â— he could come to his lodging with this y e Captaine general was so angry y â— 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 wtout 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 â— 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 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 who béeing come he shewed the same vnto them which was foure Capiâ—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 preseruatioÌ„ 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 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 but they did not
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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 proportioned 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
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 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 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 Braâ—â—â—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 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 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 â— 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 â— come from y â— 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 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 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
had begun to take in the same already at Coching 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 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 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 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 consisting of houses made of Earth and couered ouer with broade stone or â—â—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 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 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 â— commeth vnto theÌ„ 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 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
And hauing the same for certaine 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 but afterward he commaunded to set the same a fire And being ariued at Coching the Factor with the rest of his cōpany 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 therewith but aunswered the King of Calycut after this sort I Cannot well tell how it can be done 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 He arriued there the twentéeth of Aprill in the yere of our Lord.
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 â—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 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 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 â— 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 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 Chappell 's 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 â—â—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 gard thrée hundred women which doe vse bowes and are very perfect in the skill of shooting 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 â— Gentiles and by y e Christians of Coulan did apart himselfe to y e Mountains 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 bâ—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 â— which was made vpon condition that we should haue our Factory in the Citie also should haue as much lading of spices and other commodities 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
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 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 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 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 Sun-setting 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 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 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 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 Ordinaunce with the which the enimyes were receiued 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 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 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 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 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 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 it appeareth vnto you 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 to receiue them as his friendes 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 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. IN the yeare of our Lorde 1504. the king of Portingale hauing certeine knowledge that the king of Calycut continued as yet in the warres 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 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
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 hūbly 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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