Quotes from Laurence Bergreen

sentenced the other accused—in all, forty men—to death.

to land, they would have spotted penguins, sea lions, and even huge elephant seals lolling on the rocky shores.

mass execution appeared to be in the making, but the expedition could not continue without

of the Isthmus of Panama—several thousand miles north of the actual strait.

The helmsman steered, the ship moved on; Yet never a breeze up-blew; The mariners all 'gan work the ropes, Where they were wont to do; They raised their limbs like lifeless tools— We were a ghastly crew.

According to most accounts, he was born in 1480, in the remote mountain parish of Sabrosa

even in the sight of their fellows, not one escaping. Their furie not thus satisfied, they cut the slayne men in peeces

they had gone ashore, they would have encountered an animal paradise of foxes, hares, puma, peregrine falcons, owls

There is no conclusive evidence that Magellan saw this map, either

Less is known about Magellan's mother, Alda de Mesquita

Then there was the question of Magellan's nationality.

even upon the shore, where their fellows might behold this horrible spectacle from the sea.

owls, flamingos, hairy armadillos, and parrots

Magellan commuted all forty of the death sentences to hard labor.

The name Mesquita, meaning mosque, was a common name among Portuguese conversos

but he kept berths for at least two others: Álvaro de Mesquita, a relative on his mother's side

Magellan preferred to anchor offshore, away from danger, as he continued his single-minded quest for the strait.

he was changing the name of the flagship from Pelican to Golden Hind

is possible that she had Jewish ancestry, and if she did, Ferdinand was also Jewish

The prospect of a Portuguese leading a Spanish expedition through Portuguese waters

and Cristóvão Rebêlo, his illegitimate son.

But they being stricken with feare through this example, durst not come forth of their shippes

The fate of the expedition depended on finding it.

If this was the map Magellan had in mind, it would have been nearly useless in trying to find the strait.