Ferdinand Magellan Early Days - World of Biography

Early Days

Ferdinand Magellan The great navigator and explorer, Magellan was born around 1480 in Sabrosa, northern Portugal. Rui de Magalhaes, his father was Mayor of the town and Alda de Mesquita was his mother. They belonged to the Portuguese nobility. Both his parents died when he was only 10. He became a page to Queen Leonor in Lisbon at an early age of 12.

Educated in court, he was promoted as squire in 1496. Later he worked as a clerk in marine department where he helped in getting ships ready for trade along the West Coast of Africa.

It was as a page that Magellan learnt about the famous voyages of Christopher Columbus. Later he also came to learn about the exploits of Vasco-da-Gama. These great men inspired Magellan who started missing the ambitions of a sailor. Unfortunately, the ruling king then was murdered and King Manuel ascended the throne.

King Manuel was greedy and hungry for power. When Magellan proposed about his expedition and asked for consent, Manuel refused as he had intense dislike for sea voyages and for Magellan too. Magellan tried his best to convince King Manuel for his approval.

King Manuel was after money and power. King Manuel’s perception of trade changed seeing the Arab traders who had become rich due to spices they brought to Europe from the East. For this he built 22 fighting ships to chase the Arab traders. This was a big chance for Magellan and he grabbed the opportunity to ask the king. Finally the king consented and in early 1505 he enlisted in the fleet of Francisco de Almeida, who was the first Portuguese viceroy in the East. King Manuel sent Magellan to check the Muslim’s sea power in Africa and India, in early 1505. He was wounded in the naval battle at Cannanore on the Malabar Coast of India. It is said that he had acquired considerable knowledge during his stay in India but it became evident only in November 1506, when the Portuguese built a Fort at Mozambique. The battle of Diu held on February 2-3, 1509 gave the Portuguese supremacy over the Indian Ocean. Thereafter he left for Malacca to warn the commander of an impending attack by the Malays This subsequent fighting courageously saved the life of a Portuguese explorer, Francisco Serrao who later sent helpful information about those islands to him. On October 10, a council was held at Cochin to decide plans for capturing Goa. Magellan was against the large ships, which were to be taken during that season. But the new viceroy, A Fonso de Albuquerque did so. Magellan’s name did not appear among those who fought. There does not exist any conclusive evidence for the theory, as to his attaining the rank of captain during his Indian Service.

Muslim power in the Indian Ocean was broken by the Portuguese viceroys off the eastern coast of Africa and the western coast of India. The purpose of Almeida’s expedition was to wrest from the Arabs the key points of sea trade. It was almost fulfilled but their achievement was incomplete without the control of Malacca. Hence, at the end of June 1511, a fleet under Albuquerque left for Malacca. Magellan took part in the event of crowning Portuguese victory of the Orient. The Wealth of the East was transferred to the West through Strait of Malacca. Portuguese held the key to the seas and ports of Malaysia.

Magellan was back in Lisbon in 1512. Next year he joined the forces sent against the Moroccan stronghold of Azamor. In a skirmish he was wounded and since then limped for the rest of his life. He returned to Lisbon in November 1514. Then he asked King Manuel for a token increase in his pension, signifying rise in rank. As unconfirmed reports of irregular conduct on his part after the siege of Azamor had reached the king, he therefore refused his request and ordered him back to Morocco. Magellan renewed his petition in 1516 but the king also refused this and told him that he could offer his services elsewhere if he did not.

Allegiance to Spain

The king’s refusal, prompted Magellan to visit Spain. He reached Seville on October 20, 1517. A Portuguese cosmographer Rui Faleiro joined him and together they journeyed to the court at Valladolid. They renounced their nationality and offered their services to King Charles I (later, Emperor Charles V). Thereafter, Magellan was known by his Spanish version of his name – Fernando de Magellanes.