Ferdinand Magellan (Magellan Magalhães – Portuguese or Fernando Magallanes – Spanish) is well known for his role as captain-general of the exploration fleet to the Spice Islands of the east. By discovering a strait near the tip of South America, the epic voyage had navigated a new passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. One of the five vessels of the fleet, the Victoria, continued westward from the Spice Islands until they arrived in Seville, Spain. The 18 emaciated survivors of the Victoria were documented as the first circumnavigators of the world.

Magellan has been remembered as a famous explorer but perhaps few have heard of his exploits as a young naval officer and navigator in the Portuguese armadas. This article highlights his military engagements. I have written brief historical descriptions and added excerpts from my biographical novel, The Magellan Chronicles, for the following military engagements listed below. The commonly recognized English name of Ferdinand Magellan is employed in this post for familiarity to the reader. The novel utilized the original Portuguese name Fernão Magalhães. The historical context is based on eight years of research.

1. Early Military and Navigational Training
2. Seventh Portuguese Armada to the Indies – Departure, March 25, 1505
3. Battle of Mombasa – August 13-16, 1505
4. Battle of Cannanore – March 16, 1506 (Magellan Wounded & Promoted)
5. Battle of Dabul – January, 1509
6. Battle of Diu – February 3-12, 1509 (Magellan Wounded Severely)
7. Conflict in Malacca – September, 1509
8. Battle of Goa – February to August, 1510
9. Battle of Malacca – June to August, 1511
10. Battle of Azamor – August 28, 1513 (Magellan Wounded in Knee – Permanent Limp)
11. Battle of Mactan Island, Philippines – April 26-27, 1521 (Magellan Killed in Battle)

Early Military and Navigational Training

Magellan was likely born in 1480 at Sabrosa, located in the Traz-os-Montes of Northern Portugal.  However, other historical sources claim he could have been born or raised, either in Nobrega or Pôrto, both in northwestern Portugal. These regions were rugged territory and instilled in the young boy an ingrained character of natural survival and dogged persistence.

The parents of Magellan were Rodrigo de Magalhães and Alda de Mesquita. His father was appointed sheriff of the Port of Aveiro, a position granted for distinguished service to the crown. As young teenagers, Fernando, and his brother Diogo, were accepted as pages at the royal court in Lisbon. Here they were educated in the arts and sciences. A particular emphasis was placed on the knowledge needed for navigation, such as algebra, geometry, and astronomy. The brothers were also taught military skills, including horsemanship and weaponry.

With their navigational education and inclusion at the royal court, the Magellan brothers would have also had access to the India House, a top-secret maritime headquarters. Here, naval commanders, mathematicians, and chief astronomers met to discuss the latest charts and advancements in navigational science. In the India House, it is quite possible Magellan had conversed with many famous captains, pilots, and scientists. He may have even discussed navigational sciences with the famous German astronomer—Martin Behaim and the Italian explorer—Amerigo Vespucci.

Seventh Portuguese Armada to the Indies – Departure, March 25, 1505

Upon departure, the vessel, Sant’lago, foundered at the mouth of the Tagus. The goods were transferred to other vessels and then it was hauled back to Lisbon. The fleet made their first stop in Port d’Ale, Senegal, and remained for nine days to gather fresh provisions. At the equator, the fleet lost their second ship, the Bella, which had foundered. Almeida decided to split the armada into two squadrons. Two carracks and five caravels were assigned under the command of Manuel Paçanha. They were to form a fast lead squadron. The remaining vessels, twelve carracks and one caravel, were under the command of Almeida. This squadron included the Botafogo. The armada continued until they reached a point well past the southern latitudes of the Cape of South Africa. Here, both squadrons encountered powerful storms and bitter cold. Many of the vessels were separated around the cape. The Botafogo was separated from Almeida’s squadron and finally caught up with the fleet in harbor of Kilwa Island—located in an estuary off the coast of modern Tanzania.

It had been a four-week gap since the Botafogo had been separated from the fleet and up to their reunification in Kilwa. Magellan found out what had transpired during their absence and of its recent history. Almeida had orders to construct a fort and establish the city of Kilwa as a Portuguese trading hub. However, the situation had been unstable.

The people of Kilwa had divided into two; those who followed a well-liked merchant named Mohamed Ankoni and those who made allegiance to a Persian named Ibrahim bin Sulaiman. The result was 20 years of strife in Kilwa. Powerful and rich elders deposed rightful hereditary kings at their pleasure. Ibrahim was a tyrant. He was so despised that many refused to call him king, only the title—Emir Ibrahim. He had murdered the legitimate king and set himself up as ruler. The next in hereditary line was a young child, the rightful king’s heir. The people feared for his life and so immediately hid the young boy away on another island.

Almeida quickly subdued Ibrahim in a brief military engagement and installed Ankoni as their new ally.

A fortress was erected in the city and named, Fort Sant’Iago. It was the first Portuguese fort in East Africa. Almeida left Pero Ferreira Fogaça to command the garrison with 150 men. An itinerary of the armada’s scheduled route was left at the fort in case the missing squadron of Paçanha arrived.

Battle of Mombasa – August 13-16, 1505

The great city of Mombasa was built along the steep eastern seashore and with its port on the northern channel. The buildings and houses, some three stories tall, were built of stone upon the higher parts of the rocky island. A massive stone defensive wall and fortress had been constructed along the land side.

The Portuguese sent Gonçalo de Paiva with two vessels for a sounding of the passage. They were met with cannon bombardments from the Moor fortress. The Portuguese assessed the situation. The Moors in the city had 20,000 armed men plus over 1,500 Bantu warriors brought in from the mainland. The Portuguese had only 1000 armed men. Almeida gave the orders to engage the enemy. Soon, the Magellan brothers and Francisco were fighting in hand-to-hand combat throughout the city. After an intense two-day battle, the Portuguese overpowered the Moors. 

Almeida had orders to establish their southern bases in Kilwa and Sofala since they provided the best port calls en route to India. But it would only be a matter of time before Mombasa regrouped and would harass their cargo fleets along the east coast of Africa. Therefore, Almeida decided to burn the city to the ground. Winds were steady off the sea. When the fires were lit, they spread quickly across the narrow streets. The thatched roof stables between the stone buildings caught fire and burned all night. When the winds increased late in the afternoon, the inferno raged so intensely the Portuguese ships had to flee the harbor. When the citizens returned in the morning, they were met with the overwhelming stench of 1,500 corpses wafting on the light morning breeze. With Mombasa crushed, the Portuguese armada set sail for India.

Battle of Cannanore – March 16, 1506 (Magellan Wounded & Promoted)

An Italian spy, named Ludovico di Varthema, had escaped from Calicut, and warned the Portuguese that a great armada of Moors and Turks were sailing from Calicut to destroy them. In addition, the Zamorin of Calicut was to supply his own forces of Hindu warriors. From the intelligence, it was estimated, the Islamic and Hindu allied forces had 100 large ships of war and nearly an equal number of large proas.

Dom Lourenço, the son of Viceroy Dom Almeida, commanded a Portuguese fleet of 800 armed men serving on eight caravels, two war galleys, and a brigantine. Waiting ten miles off the coast of Cannanore, India, the Portuguese watched as multitudes of ship masts gradually emerged like a giant forest gliding across the sea. Countless thousands of enemy forces came into view. Many of the ships had their gunwales outfitted with cotton bales for protection against gunfire. They also had cannon and small artillery similar to the Portuguese. The Moor and Turkish crews were armed with swords, bows, lances and shields. Many of the enemy were clad in red garments stuffed with cotton. Likewise, they had large caps, bracelets and gloves all stuffed in great pomp. 

Captain Lourenço called out: ‘Now, up brothers, for now is the time; for we are all good knights!’ The fleet weighed anchor and prepared for battle. Lourenço sailed for the two largest Moor vessels. The rest of the Portuguese fleet was close behind. Kettledrums, cymbals, and bugles sounded from the enemy fleet—rising in tempo as they drew closer. Lourenço’s caravel drew aside a large Moor flagship, and the Portuguese threw iron grappling hooks in attempt to board. Three times the Moors threw off the hooks. The fourth try held firm. With tenacious fury the Portuguese pulled their ship against the Moor warship and the Portuguese spilled over the railings to face off against 600 Moors. Lourenço led the charge with halberd in hand. Varthema remained on board the Portuguese flagship to assist the gunners. From there he was able to witness the ferocious naval battle. With their black swords at the ready, Lourenço’s men charged against the Turks and Moors. The Portuguese mariners cut down the enemy like farmers attacking a harvest, littering the deck of the enemy flagship with severed limbs and blood. The Portuguese showed no mercy and gave no quarter. Very soon there was no one else to fight and they stood looking at one another for a moment.

Meanwhile, on board the Botafogo, Captain João Serrão and Magellan ordered sails lowered and crews to man the oars. They maneuvered their war galley into the battle, aiming their three-gunned prow at an enemy war vessel. All three cannons fired, two missed but one hit direct into the hull. In moments, the ship began to list. Crews leapt into the sea. An initial blow to the enemy was cheered by the Portuguese crew on their galley.

The victory was short-lived, for the enemy converged upon their lone vessel, now finding themselves surrounded, on all sides, by more than 50 proas. Ferdinand’s brother Diogo and Francisco Serrão placed their hands upon the hilts of their black swords, readied for close combat. Turks, Moors, and Hindus filled the air with grappling hooks, and the sheer number of them caught the ship’s railing. The enemy crew pulled the ships together for boarding. A first wave was repelled but the onslaught continued. A relentless barrage of hooks thumped on the decks and retracted with great velocity.

But just as one wave was repulsed, another would clamber over the rail to board the galley. Exhaustion began to take its toll. The Portuguese fought with passion and fury, but the relentless onslaught of the enemy forces continued to pour onto the deck of the ship. The galley had some gunners with small falconets blasting 1-pound shot, but the close action made it difficult to isolate targets. Crossbowmen launched bolts from portholes and concealed areas and were more precise in their aim.

Captain Serrão’s galley was engaged in heavy fighting for much of the day. The Indian coastal humidity and stifling heat wore upon the Portuguese. Magellan and the other crew were drenched in sweat. It was perhaps at this moment that Magellan suffered a severe wound. The history books only mention the injury happened during this battle, but no other details.

The battle carried on. More Portuguese were wounded, and more attackers fell to Portuguese swords. Captain Serrão, freed from his attackers by Diogo, rallied the men with a revived effort to repel the invaders from their ship and now they once again took the offensive. Wounded men who were still able, manned the oars. The captain steered the galley into the mass of proas and fired off the large cannon in front, until the barrel glowed orange. Many vessels sank under the barrage and others were rammed by the long prow. The enemy responded with its own cannon fire, sending iron balls crashing into the hull, and across the deck. Wood shattered and men screamed as they were hit. Portuguese crossbowmen, undaunted, continued to launch bolt after bolt, and gunners fired their falconets. The galley continued to pound the enemy with cannon fire.

Meanwhile, on board the flagship, Dom Lourenço had driven his crew to a decisive victory over the 600 hundred Moors—all killed or forced into the sea. Now Lourenço had tracked down the second of the two massive flagships, along with Captain Nuño Vaz Pereira on board another caravel. Pereira’s men had already secured grappling hooks on one side of the Moor flagship. Lourenço came along the other side of it and his men quickly tied into it. Both Portuguese vessels fired their cannons into the sides of the Moor vessel, and boarded. An intense hand to hand battle raged on the deck of the enemy flagship. The force of the combined crews was overwhelming. The Portuguese slew the Moor crew of 500 in short order. Once the Moor flagship was decimated, Lourenço’s crew wasted no time in dispatching their ship, and Dom Lourenço steered into the midst of the enemy. The Portuguese sunk ten vessels with heavy cannon fire. Taking into consideration their losses of ships, especially the two massive flag ships, the remaining Islamic invaders turned their ships around to make a hasty retreat.

Seizing the moment, Captain Lourenço exclaimed: ‘Praised be Jesus Christ, let us follow up on our victory against these dogs!’

The men cheered. The Portuguese captains rallied their ships in pursuit, and soon the enemy vessels were surrounded. The last battles were quick and decisive. Those not killed dove into the sea. But even then, the Portuguese would not relent. From late afternoon onward through the night the Portuguese hunted down the Islamicists. Skiffs were launched in pursuit with lancers and crossbowmen, cutting down anyone swimming for shore. The sea was awash with blood, and bodies washed ashore for days.

On the following morning, Captain Lourenço ordered the two galleys, a brigantine, and some skiffs ashore to count the bodies. Portuguese mariners were piling up bodies in stacks. Most of the men onshore covered their faces with handkerchiefs to quell the stench of rotting flesh in the rising mid-morning heat.

 In the late afternoon, the men on shore returned to the ships and the final casualty numbers were reported to the captains; 70 Portuguese had been killed, and over 200 wounded. They concealed their losses to the enemy by burying the dead far out at sea. Over 3,600 enemy forces were killed. More had been killed in the sea or drowned. It was a stunning defeat for the Islamic alliance. Later, the King of Cannanore would declare to the Portuguese and all his subjects: ‘These Christians are very brave and valiant men. And truly, I have found myself in many battles in my time, but I have never seen any men braver than these Portuguese.’

Magellan recovered from his wounds in the hospital of Cannanore. The historical sources do not say for how long he remained in this city. But it is certain he was transferred to Cochin by November of the same year. Diogo is not mentioned in the following years and likely departed on the next cargo fleet back to Lisbon. Perhaps he wished to manage the family estate in Portugal with the pay he had earned.

In Cochin, Viceroy Almeida had received word of Magellan’s bravery. He was to be given command of a galley upon arrival to Kilwa. They were to reinforce the crown’s positions in Africa. Almeida informed Magellan that he would inform the king of his promotion.

Captain Nuno Vaz Pereira, Magellan, and Francisco Serrão, left Cochin in November of 1506, on board the Espera, with a mission to support operations in East Africa. Upon arrival to Kilwa, riots and disorder broke out, and the captain had to mediate a dispute concerning two claimants to the throne. Magellan assumed his command of a bargantym in Kilwa. It was a large flat-bottomed galley and powered with oars, useful for transporting goods and troops along the coasts.

For the greater part of a year, he had served in Kilwa as commander of his galley, patrolling the coast against incursions from pirates and unscrupulous Moor invaders. Magellan brought supplies and reinforcements to Sofala, the ancient gold trading port of East Africa.

Captain Periera’s command in Sofala was brief for a new fleet arriving from Lisbon under Vasco de Abreau now assumed duty. Thus, in September of 1507, Magellan accompanied Captain Pereira on the vessel Sao Simao to Mozambique. The coasts of East Africa were full of disease and sickness. It was so prevalent and upon landing they immediately constructed a hospital. Magellan probably wondered how his propensity for acquiring wounds in battle was offset by his almost supernatural immunity from disease, for he always remained in good health in these dangerous tropical zones. Their stay in Mozambique was extended due to the monsoon.

Eventually, they arrived in Cochin in October of 1507. Upon arrival, Viceroy Almeida gave Captain Periera command of a new caravel that was in the process of construction, the Santo Espirito.

Rumors had increased in frequency, both from locals and Almeida’s trusted spies; an enemy Egyptian and Indian alliance was sailing south to oust the Portuguese from the Malabar coast of India.

As a precaution, the viceroy dispatched his son, Dom Lourenço, with a small fleet of eight vessels to guard the outposts to the north. The Santo Espirito was still in final preparations and could not join the expedition. Missing the opportunity to catch up with Dom Lourenço’s fleet, Captain Pereira, along with navigational officers Ferdinand Magellan and Francisco Serrão, steered south toward the Maldives in pursuit of other enemy forces. But a mighty storm raged and drove their caravel east toward Ceylon where they remained for a short while. Finally, they sailed back north to Cannanore where they functioned as reserve troops, assisting in patrols along the Malabar coast, and loading cargo.

While Magellan and Francisco were sailing under the command of Captain Pereira in the Santo Espirito, Dom Lourenço had sailed onward to Chaul. Meanwhile, the Mamluke sultan of Cairo—Al-Ashraf Qansuh Ghawri—had dispatched a war expedition under the command of the governor of Jedda in the Red Sea—Amir Hussain Al Kurdi. The Portuguese called him, Mirocem.

Admiral Mirocem had sailed to the grand emporium port city of Diu in Cambay with intentions to forge an alliance with the naval commander of Gujarat, Malik Ayyaz—known as Meliqueaz to the Portuguese. He had been a former slave, forcibly converted to Islam and taken to India. During the Ottoman expansion, the strongest and brightest Christian boys were kidnapped from the Balkan countries, indoctrinated with the tenets of Islam, and trained as warriors to serve in their armies. They often served in the Ottoman’s elite infantry—the Janissaries corps. Meliqueaz had achieved exceptional martial skills and was eventually appointed governor and naval commander under the Sultan of Gujarat—Mahmud Begada. With caution, the calculating Meliqueaz agreed to an alliance with Mirocem to sail with his own fleet of fustas—small galleys.

Meanwhile, far up the Indian coastline, the Portuguese squadron was plying their time along the banks of the Kundlika River, near Chaul. Dom Lourenço and some men were honing their martial skills with spear throwing. About midday, scouts made out a fleet of ships at sea approaching.

In March of 1508, Dom Lourenço’s squadron was greatly outnumbered and ambushed. The battle at Chaul could have been worse considering the well-equipped enemy vessels they had encountered. The Islamic alliance lost nearly 700 men and the same wounded. Many of their vessels suffered major damage. The Portuguese lost their flagship, about 150 dead and wounded. Dom Lourenço was killed, and his body never found. Magellan did not fight in the battle at Chaul but the event was the pretext for the battle at Diu, in which he did fight.

Almeida feared the enemy may have taken his son’s body, skinned it, and stuffed it with straw, then paraded before the sultan of Cairo or some other despot. The viceroy was recorded to have said, ‘He who ate the chick, has to eat the rooster, or pay for it.’ Almeida was determined to have his revenge.

Battle of Dabul – January, 1509

When Almeida entered the river into Dabul and discovered what insolence had been inflicted upon his comrades, he flew into a rage. The port was protected by a double wooden wall, a ditch in front, and artillery. Four large Gujarati vessels were stationed in the harbor. Almeida convened with his captains and commanded them to not only raze the town but to inflict such terror that nobody would ever forget.

At dawn, the Portuguese bombarded the walls and ships with heavy artillery. Armed with chainmail armor and heavy weaponry, three squadrons attacked the three main gates. While they encountered stiff resistance, Almeida dispatched Captain Nuno Vaz Pereira to penetrate their flank. Magellan followed his captain into the foray of streaming arrows and artillery. Once they broke through the defensive line the enemy discovered they were outflanked and fled in all directions. Eventually, the wall collapsed, and the remaining frontal assault troops stormed into the city. The victory was complete and final—1500 enemy killed. The Portuguese lost 16 and 200 wounded. The viceroy was not content with just a victory, he wanted vengeance. His orders were to finish off every living thing; all men, women, children, and animals were slaughtered without mercy. The enemy ships were set on fire and the town ransacked. Finally, the viceroy gave orders to burn everything to the ground. Any who managed to survive the inferno were immediately cut down.

On January 5, 1509, the Portuguese fleet, including the ship, Santo Espirito, in which Magellan served, departed Dabul and sailed up the coast 100 miles to demand the rulers of Chaul pay tribute, to which they promised would be paid upon their return from Diu. Proceeding onward to the island of Mahim (near Mumbai) they discovered it was deserted, for the news of the slaughter at Dabul had already spread like wildfire, across the entire Indian coast. A new curse among the Indians was thus born and never to be forgotten, “May the vengeance of the Franks overtake you as it overtook Dabul.” Now, the Portuguese were equated with the legendary crusader Franks.

From Bombain (Mumbai), Viceroy Almeida sent a courier with to Diu with the following message:

I the viceroy say to you, honored Meliqueaz captain of Diu, that I go with my knights to this city of yours, to take the people who were welcomed there, who in Chaul fought my people and killed a man who was called my son, and I come with hope in God of Heaven to take revenge on them and on those who assist them, and if I don’t find them I will take your city, to pay for everything, and you, for the help you have done at Chaul. This I tell you, so that you are aware that I go, as I am now on the island of Bombaim, as he will tell you the one who carries this letter.

Battle of Diu – February 3-12, 1509 (Magellan Wounded Severely)

An armada of black Portuguese vessels converged along the east coast of Diu. It was estimated that the Islamic alliance had nearly 200 vessels and possibly 5,000 armed men. The Portuguese had only 19 vessels and 1,300 men.

It was about midmorning and a small caravel was boarding each vessel with a herald to proclaim announcements from the viceroy. Magellan, Captain Pereira, and Francisco stood ready upon the quarterdeck of the oldest ship in the fleet, the Santo Espirito. They were in the lead position of the armada and last to hear the viceroy’s message. The herald boarded and read from a parchment:

Dom Francisco d’ Almeida, viceroy of India by the most high and excellent king Dom Manuel, my lord. I announce to all who see my letter, that on this hour I am at the bar of Diu, with all my forces that I have, to give battle to a fleet of the Great Turk that he has ordered, which has come from Mecca to fight and damage the faith of Christ and against the kingdom of the king my lord.

The herald paused and looked over the crew of the Santo Espirito. All the men were in rapt attention as he continued:

I promise monetary payments according to rank. Any nobles will achieve higher status, convicts will be forgiven their sentences and slaves will be freed. I, Dom Francisco d’ Almeida, promise all this for victory at Diu.

The herald once again paused until the cheers subdued.

As you are all aware the Islamic hordes have killed my son at Chaul. If we do not stop these aggressors, the world will be forever lost to the infidels. This will be the decisive battle for control of India and the Red Sea. The fate of the free world rests upon our deeds today. In the name of Jesus Christ let us achieve nothing less than a decisive victory and holy recompense.

As the edict finished, the crew clanked swords and halberds with shouts of victory and positioned themselves for war.

It was near eleven in the morning when the winds picked up. The Flor de la Mar sent one booming salvo to signal the attack. The Santo Espirito steered toward the channel of Diu. Taking the lead, they were the first large ship to confront the enemy, an alliance of Egyptian, Turk and Kurd warriors, all dressed in red and white cotton. Venetian and Slavic gunners manned their artillery, and reserve naval forces supplied by Gujarat and Calicut remained at the ready.

Almeida had ordered Diogo Pires’ galley just in front of the Santo Espirito to sound the inner harbor as they pursued the enemy. Muslim artillery stationed on both sides of the entrance to the channel fired a barrage of iron balls at the Santo Espirito. Its deck and hull were pummeled, instantly killing 10 men. Captain Pereira continued to navigate through the channel under heavy enemy bombardments. Finally, they closed in on their target, Mirocem’s flagship. Magellan and the crew could see the enemy had also protected their vessels much like their own; shielding with pavises, white castles and decks covered with heavy coir nets, and bags filled with cotton wrapped in wet cow hides for fire protection covered the sides.

Captain Pereira brought the vessel in close and steadied his position for the gunners to take aim on the anchored vessels. A thunderous boom rang out from the Santo Espirito’s port guns as it fired at the enemy. A carrack near Mirocem’s flagship was struck in the bow just at the waterline. Water poured in and it began to list. Magellan watched the crew rush to the other side to compensate. It worked for a few moments but then all the water rushed in and capsized the vessel. Since the events transpired so rapidly most of the crew could not escape drowning. Cheers erupted from the Portuguese.

It was correctly assumed the oldest vessel in the fleet, the Santo Espirito, would take the brunt of artillery fire and may indeed sink.

‘We are drawing in too much water,’ Captain Nuno Vaz Pereira warned.

The Santo Espirito was barely afloat before Magellan managed to steer it near Mirocem’s carrack. Pereira devised a ruse by pretending to plan an artillery attack. But they would come alongside and wait for the enemy to grapple the Santo Espirito. Then, the Portuguese would suddenly attack first.

Almost immediately, Mirocem’s crew hauled in their starboard anchor and pulled alongside the Santo Espirito to grapple it. Meanwhile, a contingent of Portuguese warriors crouched near the edge of the top deck facing the enemy flagship. The Moors and Turks threw grappling hooks in great numbers, and several took hold against the ship rigging posts. Once they had pulled on the ropes to bring the vessels close, the Portuguese leaped onto their vessel.

Meanwhile, Captain Pereira and a contingent had boarded and took the forecastle. Severed limbs and blood covered the deck and the Portuguese were nearing a victory. At midship they had pressed the Muslims together so tight they could not maneuver, and many were slaughtered. Victory seemed imminent but it was soon interrupted. One of the galleons, to the port side of Mirocem’s flagship, had loosed their starboard anchor and maneuvered into position on the opposite side of the Santo Espirito. The tide of battle had changed.

‘Back to the ship!’ Pereira cried out. ‘Back to the ship!’

In concern of the enemy outflanking their reduced crew; the men ran across strewn corpses, a slippery blood-soaked deck and leapt back upon the Santo Espirito. The enemy galleon grappled from the opposite side and began to board in great numbers. Meanwhile, the soldiers on the enemy flagship had regrouped and archers sent a hail of arrows upon the Portuguese forces.

Battles were fought between the Portuguese and Muslim vessels. The sky was black with smoke and the cannons boomed. Almeida positioned the Flor de la Mar in front of the channel as a blockade. Countless heavy bombardments from the three-decked flagship pounded the Gujarati carracks in the channel. The small oared fustas of Meliqueaz converged to outflank Almeida’s flagship. Portuguese and German gunners took aim at the new threat, and with heavy artillery blew apart their vessels. The air was thick with smoke and the heat stifling.

On the Santo Espirito, Captain Pereira struggled to catch his breath in the heat and smoke of battle. He removed his throat guard just above his breastplate and took a deep breath. Suddenly, enemy archers sent off another barrage of arrows. An arrow sliced into Pereira’s exposed throat. Blood spurted out as he gurgled for air. Captain Pereira collapsed dead. Sailors carried the captain’s body to the lower deck.

Magellan had also sustained a wound during this conflict. The historical account only claims it was severe and it took the next five months to recover in Cochin.

It was not long before some of the Portuguese ships came to aid the Santo Espirito and then subdued the enemy flagship. Later, they captured or sank most of their fleet. Mirocem and some of his crews fled ashore and escaped.

It was a decisive victory for the Portuguese. But they suffered some loss. Thirty-two had died, including Captain Pereira and Captain Cão. About 300 were wounded.

The enemy took heavy losses. Counting the entire alliance, over 3,000 dead.

On the following morning, the men were roused by an approaching small fusta with a white flag raised. A messenger from Meliqueaz offered complete surrender of the city of Diu. Almeida made a precondition before any such arrangements were to be made, they must first, hand over the prisoners from Chaul.

Meliqueaz had calculated well to keep the prisoners safe as bargaining leverage in case of defeat. In prompt diligence, one hour later, he sent the Portuguese prisoners to the Flor de la Mar. Trumpets blared and drums beat as the prisoners boarded with tears of joy at meeting their compatriots once again. They were clad in fine clothes of silk, and each carried a bag jingling full of fifty gold xerafins. In addition, the governor of Diu delivered fine gifts of food and promised vassalage to the king of Portugal.

As consistent with Almeida’s stratagem; he did not want full control of Diu—only a shipping factory and a peace treaty. The viceroy demanded the Muslim merchants bear the cost of recompense for outfitting the enemy fleet. The spoils were to include 3 galleys, 3 carracks, 600 bronze-cannon and 3 royal banners of the Mamluke sultan of Cairo—trophies to be taken back to Portugal. Furthermore, the merchants were to pay recompense of 300,000 gold xerafins—100,000 to be distributed among the troops.

Almeida had one last demand; all the traitors, many of which were Venetian and Slavic gunners, were to be delivered up for punishment. Meliqueaz had no desire to obstruct Almeida’s wrath and immediately rounded up the renegades. No mercy was given to the traitors.

Almeida ordered a brutal punishment. The renegade’s limbs were severed. Others were tied to cannons and their bodies blown apart.

Later, punishment was meted out on shore in the same manner. Additionally, they burned many alive of those condemned. The viceroy ordered the gates of Diu to be covered in rosaries of dismembered body parts because those Muslims who had killed his son had passed through the very same gates. All the men knew the viceroy would have his vengeance upon the culprits of his beloved son’s demise and this was their day of reckoning.

February 12, 1509. The victorious fleet embarked on their return journey from Diu toward Cochin. Almeida kept prisoners on board as fodder to instill fear upon the enemy. Entering key ports along the way south; heads, feet, and hands were catapulted onto the beaches.

In Cannanore, prisoners were strung up and hung from the masts for all to see. On March 8, they arrived at Cochin. They strung up the remaining traitors until the yardarms strained under the weight just before the fleet entered the port in a triumphal reception and with trumpets blaring.

Conflict in Malacca – September, 1509

On August 19, 1509, a small fleet of four vessels of 150 ton and 1 taforea—a supply ship—much like a barge, were embarking the last provisions and men, 70 in total. Magellan and Francisco Serrão enlisted for the mission and reported on board the taforea.

On September 11, 1509, the fleet of black Portuguese ships anchored off the bustling port of Malacca. It was located on the western coast of the Malay Peninsula. The Malacca Strait lay in front, and beyond to the west, the island of Sumatra. A palace was situated at the foot of a hill. An imposing fortress with palisades and cannon overlooked the port. Malacca was of immense size and bustling commerce. The city was the central trading hub between the east and west. It linked world trade from China and the Spice Islands of the Pacific to India, Middle East, and Europe. Hundreds of large junks anchored along the shore, some loading cargo and others waiting their turn. Sampans and other oared boats added to these numbers. Malacca sprawled across ten miles of shoreline. A river split the great commercial city in two; at the mouth where it emptied into the sea, a wide bridge connected the two sides. It was estimated 120,000 residents of many nations took residence here, most in palm-thatched homes.

Francisco was assigned to lead a shore party to inventory the trade goods in the port.  Malacca was the sort of exotic trading center that travelers converged on from all over Europe, Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, China, and many other nations.

In the markets, the fleet clerk used his quill pen and notebook to record the sizeable list of products: Pepper, cloves, mace, nutmeg, sandalwood, porcelain, musk, pearls, benzoin, colored silks, tin, white damask, brocades, bird plumes from Banda, iron, rhubarb, saltpeter, fine silver, gold, ornate chests, painted fans, toys of all sorts, coral, vermilion, quicksilver, opium, and other various drugs. Many weapons were sold here: lances, daggers, and swords crafted with inlaid metal and quality steel. Local goods were also cultivated on farms in the region, over 1,000 in number. Many of the inhabitants were multilingual, for it had been said over 80 languages were spoken in Malacca. Most of the men in the city were brown-skinned and bare-chested. From the waist down they wore short jackets that came half-way down the thigh and were made of silks, scarlet, and cotton. Most wore belts with ornate daggers tucked inside.

Meanwhile, the merchants of Malacca spread the news of the Portuguese arrival. They were filled with great consternation at the interlopers venturing into their domain and began to conspire among themselves on how to oust the invaders. The leading factions were comprised of 1,000 wealthy Gujarat merchants along with a contingent of Parsees, Bengalese, and Arabs. These together numbered over 4,000. In addition, powerful Kling traders from India and predominantly Shiite Muslims joined the plot. Patush, their chief spokesman, was a Gujarat trader and had rallied the powerful merchant class with first-hand accounts of how the Portuguese had conquered the coastal province of Gujarat and much of India. He led a procession toward the palace situated at the foot of the hillside. From the gated entrance, guards escorted the entourage inside, through the inner halls, and finally into the royal chamber. Patush and the merchants approached the sultan of Malacca—Mahmud Shah. He was seated upon his ornate throne, all embroidered with silk, jewels, and gold. Patush gestured toward two merchants nearby who held a rolled-up tapestry. They stepped forward and rolled the tapestry across the marble floor. The sultan smiled as he noticed the image of his entire kingdom embroidered into the fabric with vivid colors. 

Mahmud Shah had assumed the throne as a teenage boy and was now only in his mid-twenties. He ruled Malacca, capitol of the Malay empire. The sultanate was at the peak of its expansion and prosperity, a golden age. Patush cautiously approached the Mahmud Shah, knowing well the sultan was often ill-tempered and ruthless in his actions. But he hoped their bribe of this exquisite gift would sway his favor.

‘What is the occasion for such generosity?’ Mahmud asked.

‘My associates have great concern about the Portuguese who have reached our port and now will surely return here all the time,’ Patush said. ‘I have seen my own birth city of Diu subjugated by them. They have come to spy out our land and capture Malacca just the same as India is now in their power.’

‘And what do you wish me to do about it?’

‘If we kill them now, far away from Portugal, they may never hear of it and we shall retain our city.’

Sultan Mahmud Shah stared at them, deep in thought. ‘I hear your words of caution, but I must according to our law, consult with the Bendahaha before I make a final decision.’ He then waved his hand for them to leave.

The merchants were well-aware where the sultan’s power lie. They doubled their usual bribes to Tuan Mutahir—the Bendahara, for he acted as the royal vizier in matters of state affairs; and was the second ranking official after the sultan. He was a Tamil and already sympathetic to the cause of his Indian brothers. The lavish gifts and the merchant’s religious exhortations to rid the infidels in a holy war was sufficient to sway the Bendahara to their side.

Next, the merchants attempted to bribe the Bendahara’s brother, Tuan Tahir—the Tumungo, chief treasury officer and said to be the wisest man in Malacca. Lastly, they tried to sway the Laksemana-admiral of the sea and designated the sultan’s chief guard.

Finally, the sultan called a council to decide what to do with the Portuguese. The Bendahara and several royal advisors approached the throne of Sultan Mahmud Shah.

Tuam Mahmud, a chief noble of importance in the community, was designated as spokesman for one faction. He stepped forward. ‘The Bendahara, the mandarins, and I, all believe you should kill the invaders immediately.’

‘Your opinion is respected and noted,’ the sultan said. ‘And what is the opinion of the Laksemana and the Tumungo?’

The Laksamana stepped forward. ‘We believe the visitors should be well treated and keep their merchandise, since they have come in good faith for trade.’

The sultan’s face turned red. ‘You do not understand the case of these men. The merchants are right to suspect and act. The Portuguese came to spy out the land so that they can come afterwards with an armada. As I know, and you know, that they go about conquering the world and destroying, and blotting out the name of our Holy Prophet. Let them all die! And if any other people come here afterwards, we will destroy them on the sea and on the land. We have more people, junks, and gold in our power than anyone else. Portugal is so far away. Let them all be killed!’

The sultan shook with anger and commanded, ‘You will put to sea in your lancharas and kill them all. But do not send the Portuguese ships to the bottom. Keep the guns for me and the flagship. The Bendahara will attack those who are weighing goods on land, because we will turn them all out. And you, Laksamana, be careful on the sea, although you alone could take 10 of their ships. I know how you destroyed the Siamese on the open sea, where there were 100 to 1 of ours. And what will you do to such a little force at anchor? Why, those who go to sell them chickens will be a match for them, for they are not fighting men, as I am informed.’

The Laksamana boldly retorted, ‘This business is contrary to justice, and I do not want to be in it, and I tell you that I would rather fight against 1,000 men than against these, not because I fear them, but because I am not in agreement with this decision. It will only lead to our destruction.’

The Bendahara’s son interjected, ‘My lord, I will go if the Laksamana does not want to.’

The sultan nodded and thanked him.

The Laksamana also replied, ‘Go, but if your business succeeds, I do not know anything, and all the people of Malacca together are not strong enough to capture these ships, nor is there any reason for it.’

The sultan arose in a rage and gave his final order, ‘I should have you killed Laksamana! You are placed under house arrest. Guards, take him!’

After three days in port, the sultan received Sequeira’s representatives as envoys of the Portuguese king. Feigning good will and cooperation, the sultan signed a peace treaty document and permission was given for the Portuguese to open a trading factory near the waterfront. The sultan offered to host a magnificent banquet and requested Captain-General Sequeira to bring his officers and men for a celebration. Suspicious, he declined the offer. But, still enamored by the pleasant treatment from the sultan, Sequeira asked to commence trade and load his ships before the approaching end of the monsoon. The sultan offered a great quantity of pepper if they could send all his boats and many men to assist in transporting the goods from their distant warehouse to the pier.

During this interim, several Chinese captains had overheard rumors of intrigues and warned Captain-General Sequiera of impending treachery from the sultan. Not heeding the warning, Sequiera proceeded with the trading. The following morning, all the fleet’s longboats and skiffs were loaded with 90 crewmen. Only a single skiff from the taforea remained with the fleet. Francisco accompanied the shore party and Magellan remained on board the supply ship.

There is a historical account that claimed a Javanese woman also warned one of the crewmen of danger. Perhaps it was Francisco who heard the news, for later it was known he married a Javanese woman. Regardless, the mission went ahead. 

Meanwhile, a fleet of sampans surrounded the Portuguese ships in the harbor. They were two-oared flat-bottomed boats and similar in size to the Portuguese skiffs. The natives smiled, waved, and feigned a desire to trade. On board the supply ship taforea, Captain Sousa joined Magellan on the quarterdeck.

‘What do you think?’ Sousa asked. ‘Let them board for trade negotiations?’

‘I expect you will proceed with caution sir. Most of our men are on shore.’

‘Then we allow only a few to board, check their motives.’ Da Sousa gestured held up three fingers to his crew, a signal to allow embarkation of only three Malay traders.

After some minutes, Captain Garcia de Sousa spotted in the distance a great number of well-armed natives in sampans approaching the captain-general’s flagship. ‘Treachery!’ Sousa yelled. ‘Drive out the imposters.’

Immediately, the three Malays were shoved off the taforea.

‘Magalhaes, take the skiff and go to the flagship. Warn Sequeira.’

‘Yes sir.’

 Magellan, Nuno Vaz de Castelo-Branco, and Martin Guedes rowed the skiff to the flagship. They came up along the seaward side to avoid notice of the natives in their sampans. Once alongside the ship, Magellan quietly climbed on board alone. He found Captain Sequeira in his cabin, stripped to his waist, and hunched over a chess board. The crusader pieces were exquisitely crafted in silver and gold. His opponent was the son of Utimuti Raja, the wealthiest merchant in Malacca. Eight armed Malays stood at attention behind him. The captain tapped his finger on a bishop piece, thoroughly engrossed in thought for his next move. Magellan leaned over and whispered in Sequeira’s ear, ‘Danger captain, we are being surrounded.’ He then quietly exited the cabin.

The captain motioned for a crewman to draw near and whispered, ‘Climb the mast and check on the shore party. Give a warning if anything suspicious.’

Sequeira looked up at his Malay opponent while wiping his brow of sweat. ‘It is too hot in here. Let us take the game on deck and get some fresh air.’

They carried the board carefully, so as not to disturb the positions of the pieces. On the open deck, the captain and Utimuti Raja sat upon sacks of rice and resumed their chess game. One of the Malays behind the captain began to unsheathe his kris. Another Malay facing him shook his head. Meanwhile, Magellan stood near the edge of the vessel. His attention was split between the captain and toward the sea and land. He never noticed the Malay’s subtle moves.

From the upper mast, the captain’s scout watched a crowd forming between the shore party and the boats. ‘Treachery, treachery!’ the watchman yelled.

A puff of white smoke emanated from the Malacca citadel, a signal to attack. Sequeira jumped from his seat and narrowly dodged a kris strike from the Malay behind him. Magellan and the crew charged the enemy and killed two of them. Outnumbered, the Malays leapt into the sea.

Upon hearing the watchman’s warning and the ominous crowd growing, the Portuguese landing party split apart, some rushed toward the warehouse for cover, while others tried to fight their way through the mob toward the beach.

Meanwhile, Magellan, along with officers Castelo-Branco and Guedes rowed the skiff desperately toward a beachhead.

On shore, the Malays slew many of the Portuguese, for many had been caught off guard and were unarmed. The natives had commandeered all the boats on the beach. But Magellan and his men fought hard to recapture one of the longboats furthest away and brought it out waist high in the bay.

Francisco Serrão and a small squad of ten were able to fight their way toward the beach. A spear landed into one of them as they pushed onward. Meanwhile, sampans returning from the flagship approached them. Francisco and the men splashed into the water and clambered on board the longboat. The longboat was now surrounded by hostile natives in their sampans, all armed with spears and scimitars. Hordes of warriors leaped into the waters, and several were able to climb into the longboat. The Portuguese cut them down and threw their bodies back into the water.

Magellan yelled: ‘We need to make our escape now! Take the oars!’

The men heaved on the oars and the longboat plowed through two sampans and headed out to sea. The men turned to look one last time. Dead mutilated bodies of the Portuguese were strewn across the beach.

‘Just in time my friends, just in time,’ Francisco said in gratitude.

Back on board the supply ship, Magellan and Francisco watched events unfold. Apparently, a second longboat had escaped to a small island and a large contingent of large proa vessels were closing toward the trapped crew of 20 men. On board the flagship, Captain Sequeira slipped his cables and steered toward the enemy. The four other Portuguese vessels followed. Sequeira carefully aimed his cannons at the enemy fleet. They bombarded the sampans relentlessly until most were sunk, crippled or fled. The marooned Portuguese were quickly rescued and returned to their vessels.

Later in the day, Sequeira called his captains and leading officers to a council on board his flagship. Officers from the taforea, Da Sousa, Magellan, Serrão and Castelo-Branco joined the meeting. On the top deck, all the captains and officers stood in a circle.

Sequeira addressed the men, ‘As is customary for crucial actions, we have convened here. Sixty men are missing. We estimate at least half killed. How then shall we proceed to retrieve the survivors? Your opinions are all respected.’

‘I propose we attempt a rescue and then bombard the city,’ Captain Sousa replied.

Many, including all Da Sousa’s men, voiced their approval upon this suggestion.

‘Perhaps we offer a ransom,’ another captain said.

Some agreed with this approach, but most sided with Da Sousa.

Sequeira paced the deck and scratched the back of his neck, then stopped and faced the men. ‘Thank you for your thoughts on this matter,’ he said. ‘Our vessels are undermanned now. We have two logical choices. Shall we attempt a rescue and risk losing more? Or shall we offer ransom and hope for a favorable outcome?’ Sequeira placed his hands on his hips. ‘I have come to a decision. We shall offer a ransom for our men. Dismissed.’

As they departed, Magellan shook his head in disbelief upon what he thought was a desperate and futile move.

A letter was dispatched via a local messenger with an offer to pay ransom for the release of their men. The fleet waited for two days, but no response. Finally, on the third day, the sultan sent a belligerent gift: a Malagasy crewman, three African slaves, and a small load of spices. The captain-general seethed with anger and delivered his return message. The crew collected the corpses of two Malays slain in the first skirmish on board. They attached a note with arrows protruding from one ear to the other, and reading: Thus, the King of Portugal avenged the treason of his enemies.

To catch favorable winds, the fleet left for India. Magellan was standing on the quarterdeck of the taforea with officer Nuno Vaz de Castel-Branco.

‘I can never forgive the captain for leaving the men without a fight,’ Castel-Branco said.

Magellan shook his head. ‘I hear you. It is not right, not our way.’

The two nodded.

‘So, where is your friend, Francisco?’ Castel-Branco asked.

‘Captain Godwin’s caravel is now short-handed a pilot,’ Magellan replied. ‘Francisco had orders to assist in navigation.’

The two watched the ships course from the high position of the quarterdeck.

Shortly after leaving Malacca, the fleet encountered a large Javanese junk. Captain Godin, on board their caravel, approached Francisco. ‘A nice prize, is it not?’

‘A shame to return home empty-handed,’ Francisco replied. ‘But is this an enemy?’

‘They are likely in league with the sultan of Malacca, or Javanese pirates,’ Godin said. ‘A prize worthy of taking.’

They both grinned in joint approval of their plan. Captain Godwin ordered the crew to give chase. The Portuguese overcame the junk and with grapples pulled the vessels together. A furious fight ensued with stiff resistance from the crewmen of the junk. Unexpectedly, the Javanese turned the tide of battle and began to leap on aboard the Portuguese vessel. Francisco was caught in the center of the mayhem, trying to save their caravel.

Watching from the taforea, Nuno Vaz de Castel-Branco and Magellan took notice of the dire predicament. ‘Serrão’s in serious trouble,’ said Castel Branco.

‘Let’s go!’ Magellan exclaimed.

They enlisted Martin Guedes and another crewman to again—accompany them on a rescue mission. The four of them rowed hard and rapidly approached Captain Godin’s beleaguered caravel. Magellan secured their small skiff to the stern, and they clambered aboard to join the melee. Magellan’s rescue crew slashed their black swords against Javanese Kris blades and scimitars. Francisco was pinned against the mast with two Javanese pointing their daggers at his throat. At once, Magellan and Castel-Branco both thrust their swords into the backs of the assailants until the tips protruded out their chests. Francisco’s eyes opened wide when he discovered the source of his timely salvation. ‘Once again, just in time my friends,’ he said.

Eventually, they pushed the Javanese crewmen to the edges of the top deck. Suddenly outnumbered, they leapt into the sea. Magellan’s crew escorted the men to the flagship and remained on board.

With firm resolve to acquire a prize for the crown and punish the sultan’s merchants they once again pursued a junk off the coast of Sumatra. Due to its immense size, it was suspected of carrying a greater prized cargo than the former. The junk was overpowered by a squadron of 28 men under the command of Jeronimo Texeira. They immediately subdued the Malay crew and locked them below deck. Sequeira’s flagship towed the junk. The desperate Malays attempted an escape by cutting holes in the hull, which immediately began to the flood the ship. Meanwhile, Sequeira and several officers, including Magellan and Castelo-Branco, stood on deck watching an ominous storm front approaching. As the junk took on water it began to list.

‘What the devil?’ Sequeira exclaimed.

The tow rope strained under the heavy load of the flooded junk. ‘Cut the line! It will take us down if we delay.’ Sailors slashed franticly at the rope until it severed.

Texiera’s men cried out for help as the currents pulled the junk toward Malacca.

‘Castelo-Branco placed his arms on the deck rail and leaned forward. He turned to Sequeira, ‘What are you going to do? We should save the crew. They will drift into enemy territory.’

‘We lost the prize, and they knew what they signed up for,’ Sequeira indignantly replied.

‘A disgrace,’ Magellan said. ‘Never could there be a better prize than to save the lives of our men on that junk!’

Sequeira’s face turned red. ‘Then go and do it yourself!’

Magellan and Castelo-Branco hurried to the longboat with several assisting crewmates. Franticly rowing they were able to catch up to the foundering junk and escorted the men on board the rescue boat. Magellan was on the junk assisting the last man on board when he glanced back over his shoulder and heard the Malay crew crying out for help. Magellan looked down at Texeira on board the longboat. ‘The key. Throw me the key.’

‘You sure?’ Texeira asked.

Magellan pleaded his case, ‘Please, just do it. They are merchants, not pirates. They only acted in self-defense. They cannot harm us now.’

Texeira fumbled in his pocket, retrieved a square key, and tossed it on deck. Magellan snatched the key and opened the door lock to the lower deck. He ran back across the top deck and leaped back onboard the longboat. As the Portuguese rowed away, the men gave Magellan words of gratitude for saving their lives. In addition, unspoken silent nods and gestures of respect were given by the crew for his merciful decision to save the foreign merchants from certain drowning.

After the rescue of Texeira’s crew, Magellan and Francisco had transferred to the taforea to navigate the vessel. Upon the open sea, ominous storm clouds converged closer, as the fleet continued sailing toward India. Stiff winds strained on the sails and waves up to 18 feet high crashed against the decks. After weeks of hammering waves, one of the fleet caravels wrecked on a reef and was unsalvageable. The taforea’s masts were shattered and it was leaking badly. The crew beached it on an island and salvaged all the parts and goods that were useful. 

The crews continued to endure mighty tempests at sea as they forged ahead. Exhausted, depleted in provisions, and with no prized cargo, the three remaining vessels of the fleet arrived in Travancore. They were now only 200 miles south of Cochin.

Battle of Goa – February to August, 1510

En route to the Red Sea, Albuquerque anchored in the port of Mirjan in Onor (Honavar), India, 100 miles south of Goa. Here, Albuquerque changed his plans based upon the intelligence received from a reliable ally, the Hindu corsair, Timoja, and decided to attack Goa, India.

For a detailed account of the lengthy engagement, see: The Commentaries of the Great Alfonso Albuquerque: Vol. 2. For a dramatized historical account see: The Magellan Chronicles.

Battle of Malacca – June to August, 1511

In Cochin, Albuquerque met with his officers, including Magellan and Francisco Serrão. With all in attendance, Albuquerque turned his head down in a moment of brevity. He then raised his head again and continued, ‘I have disclosed the following only to a few select captains. As you know, the king of Malacca and his Bendahara have betrayed our good will when they ambushed our expedition under Captain Sequeira. They took 19 prisoners including Ruy de Araujo. In Goa, I received a letter from Ruy, which was smuggled aboard a trading junk from Malacca. He informs us all 19 are alive. But they have been under confinement under the greatest abuse, unspeakable tortures, with intent to break their faith and become Moors. The king is a tyrant. He robs and harasses many of the merchants who dare port in his city. It has been said this king has a great army and fleet, a formidable force.’

Albuquerque looked over his men until the story sunk in, and the rage built behind their eyes. ‘Gentlemen, I have set my mind to sail to Malacca and demand our men be freed and paid in high recompense for our cargos stolen. If they shall not comply, a righteous and holy retribution shall be unleashed! I, Albuquerque vow to make them pay, in submission or in blood!’ Are you with me?’

The men cheered in support. Magellan turned to Francisco. ‘Ready for some payback?’

‘Absolutely,’ Francisco replied. ‘This is one mission I will not pass up.’

The fleet set out for Malacca with 18 ships, 3 of which were galleys. The armada sailed east, carrying 700 Portuguese and 300 Malabar fighters. Passing Ceylon, a storm arose, and one of the galleys was lost. Captain Simão Martinz had not been informed of the heavy load of copper aboard his vessel and the power of the storm caused a leak to spring at the prow, causing the vessel to founder and sink. Fortunately, the entire crew were rescued by Duarte da Silva’s galley. Anchoring in Pedir, Sumatra the fleet found João Viegas and eight of those who had been imprisoned with Ruy de Araujo. All the 19 prisoners had attempted to escape but only these 9 were able to evade capture. Viegas informed them how the king of Malacca had tortured them so they would renounce their faith. Several of their company had their hands and feet bound and without any anesthetics, were forcibly circumcised. One died from severe blood loss.

On June 1, 1511, Albuquerque’s fleet of 17 black-pitched Portuguese ships entered the harbor with flags raised. Before anchoring, they sounded the trumpets and fired off a salute of artillery. Magellan and Francisco watched from the deck of Captain Abreau’s carrack, where they were stationed as navigational officers. Little did they know their upcoming actions would reverberate down the annals of history for all time.

‘I expect we will have to wait on the ship awhile,’ Magellan said. ‘Albuquerque will try to persuade the sultan to acquiesce and release our men without any bloodshed.’

‘Albuquerque will play nice at first,’ Francisco added. ‘But once our men are back in our fleet . . . well . . . I would not want to be the king.’

As the days unfolded, Captain Abreau briefed his leading officers, including Magellan and Serrão, on the status of each message sent between Albuquerque and the Sultan of Malacca—Mahmud Shah. The first message from the sultan was to make peace. He also claimed that the Bendahara had been put to death for inciting the ambush and murder of the Portuguese soldiers under Captain Sequeira’s prior visit. The sultan insisted it was not his own fault concerning these events. Albuquerque feigned belief in the crafty sultan’s apology. He calmly demanded the release of the prisoners and recompense to be paid from the Bendahara’s estate for the seized cargo. The sultan replied they must make peace before any such bargains could be made. He then delayed any efforts to release the prisoners.

Albuquerque had initially distrusted Ruy de Araujo regarding the conspiracies surrounding his transition to power as the governor and viceroy of the Indies. However, he now had come to the realization the Portuguese agent was indeed a loyal officer and must be rescued at all costs along with his men. Even while imprisoned in Malacca, Ruy de Araujo continued his covert work by relaying smuggled messages. He informed the governor with intelligence that the sultan was constructing new stockades of formiddable strength along the seaboard.

Receiving this news, Albuquerque sent a message to the sultan stating that it did not look like any sort of friendship, for no prisoners were returned and stockades were erected as if they were to commence a war.

The sultan continued to refuse any prisoners until a peace arrangement was sealed. Albuquerque finally had enough, and sent out four armed boats to reconnoiter and test the enemy responses. As soon as the patrol boats left, the ships of the Moors responded by sending out a fleet of 20 pangajaoas past the river’s mouth to meet them. Albuquerque sent another four boats to support the others, from which the Moors retreated. The sultan again sent his customary response. Albuquerque received the message but knew it was full of lies and deceit.

Ruy de Araujo sent another message to Albuquerque stating how the sultan was nearing completion of his defenses and ready for war. In addition, the Turks, Rûmes, Gujaratis, and Coraçones were offering bribes to the sultan and governors in order to halt any formal deals allowing access to their trade markets. Even the Islamic priests were employed to preach lengthy diatribes against the Portuguese. The leader of the Gujaratis—Xabandar, stressed the importance to stall until the monsoon season arrived, for the Portuguese would of necessity have to depart. The sultan heeded the advice and made haste to complete the remaining fortifications.

Albuquerque’s patience had been longsuffering, but now it wore out. He sent another message informing the sultan that he had news of what really had transpired. The Bendahara was sentenced to death for plotting an uprising and not for anything to do with the Portuguese. Furthermore, the sultan had ordered the Christians tortured in order to force them to renounce their faith. Some had been abused so bad they capitulated and feigned conversion. He had put up with such talk, and delays, in hope that a peace and friendship could still occur. But, since no serious attempt to complete a truce was put forth, he would have him know that none of his men would remain, day by day, in this port without having wreaked vengeance for the treason inflicted upon the captain and soldiers of the king of Portugal, all ordered by the Sultan of Malacca.

Albuquerque then convened a meeting with his captains and desired their opinions. They all thought it was not right for him to have such patience toward the Sultan of Malacca, for since their arrival no intentions of goodwill had been indicated. Furthermore, all the delays were simply ruses to fortify and prepare for war. With all in agreement, the captains and Albuquerque prepared a final signed document to be delivered with the following message:

King D. Manuel, his lord, had sent to the port of Malacca a captain, with certain ships, which came bearing more of merchandise than of our men, out of a desire which he had of establishing peace and friendship with him; but, in violation of the safeguard which both the sultan and his Bendahara had granted to this captain, they had notwithstanding stolen all the property and murdered or imprisoned the Portuguese—as had already been the subject of complaint—and labored  as much as they possibly could to seize his ships, but miraculously Our Lord had delivered them from their hands. The Sultan of Malacca should therefore know for certain that unless orders were issued for the immediate release of the Christians and restitution of the property which had been captured in the ships, that he (Afonso Albuquerque) would certainly destroy him, and take his city away from him, and he held God to be the judge between them and he and his governors were the cause of their own destruction; for, by following the advice of the Gujaratis—deadly enemies to the Portuguese—he (the Sultan of Malacca) would not take any steps towards concluding terms of peace with him. As for the present fleet which he had now with him, it had no thoughts about the monsoon—as the Gujaratis had pretended to the sultan—neither was it losing any season of voyage; nor was it searching for a cargo; for the ships of which it was composed belonged to the fleet which the King of Portugal employed for the government of India, and it was of no consequences to them whether they remained one year or ten in that harbor; and the Sultan of Malacca should rest quite sure that unless he gave up all thoughts of prosecuting a war which he wished to make upon the captains and men of the King of Portugal; he would very soon lose his estate.

In the presence of the sultan’s messenger, Albuquerque signed the document. With disregard to the governor’s message, the sultan continued for six days with stall tactics and false pledges. Albuquerque was incensed and sent ten boats to burn several buildings along the waterfront and all the Gujarati ships they could find. Realizing Albuquerque would not be deterred, and running out of options to stall, the sultan released all the prisoners and asked the Portuguese for a list of any complaints to be written down. Albuquerque countered. He upped the ante by demanding a site within the city to erect a fortress, as well as a steep recompense for the goods stolen from Sequeira’s expedition. The sultan fell back to his delay tactics, sending out spies and raising flags of war upon the stockades.

Meanwhile, the captains from five Chinese junks in port visited Albuquerque to offer their support in waging a war against the sultan; for their vessels had been held captive for days and were to be incorporated into the Malaccan fleet in a war againt the kingdom of Aru. The Chinese merchants were indignant that the sultan had confiscated all their merchandise and acted as a ruthless tyrant. Albuquerque thanked them very much for their offer and only agreed to accept the barcas of their junks to be used to disembark their soldiers. The Chinese asked that if their services were not required they could be allowed to depart to their lands. They promised that any Portuguese vessels encountered in the future would be remembered with respect for the kindness shown to them, and if Malacca should fall into his power they would send 100 junks per year full of merchandise to trade. Before departing, they warned Albuquerque that the city had over 20,000 soldiers—Javanese, Persians, and Coraçones, all with great martial skills. The sultan had additional reserves of native warriors, 20 armored war elephants and massive stores of artillery. The Chinese doubted any army could conquer this city and feared for the outcome.

Albuquerque again thanked them for their concern but said he was already determined to undertake the mission, and the size of Malacca’s army was inconsequential, for God’s power was greater than man’s. He suggested they stay and behold the mighty display of the Portuguese fighting spirit and tactics of war, then report to the king of China all that occured. They accepted his offer to watch the battle from one of the Portuguese galleys he would station for them near the disembarkation point.

As soon as the Chinese left, Albuquerque called all the captains, fidalgos and leading officers to a meeting. He set forth the arguments for establishing a fortress since Malacca was one of the greatest trade ports in all the world, a link between the far east and India. In addition, the Malays would always harass and capture Portuguese vessels, unless they were sailing in a large fleet armed with numerous men and heavy artillery. They debated among themselves until they reached a conclusion; they agreed that establishing a fort would further the crown’s interests, and waging a war upon the city must require a severe punishment upon the sultan for his tyranny and stamp out his haughty pride.

But over the following days, the captains began to differ on the stategy of attack, thus forcing Albuquerque to make the decision. Ruy de Araujo was consulted for his opinion since he had some knowledge of the land. He proposed they attack the bridge first and thus would divide the city in two. The sultan could not easily reinforce the other side if they held the bridge with a well-armed squadron. Albuquerque agreed, and ordered the attack to commence two hours before dawn, in the early morning of Saint James day. The forces would be split into two batallions. The first unit was to take the mosque and palace on the west side. The second unit, led by Albuquerque, would take the city on the east side.

Before dawn on the morning of the attack, Magellan stood on deck watching the moon over the city. A man of middle height, shoulder length blonde hair, blue eyes, and an aquiline nose drew near—Captain Abreau.

‘I expect the trumpets will sound any minute,’ Abreau said. ‘As part of Albuquerque’s squadron, our plan is to overpower the stockades from the city side. Ready for victory, Magellan?’

‘Always ready for victory sir,’ Magellan responded with a grin.

‘That’s the right answer.’Abreau smiled.

‘If I may ask, why did Albuquerque wait to attack on the day of Saint James?’

Abreau looked at him. ‘He is a knight of the Order of Santiago and very devoted to this saint. You served under him in Goa, did you not?’

‘I fought in the first raid.’

‘I see,’ Abreau said, looking out over the water. ‘Perhaps you never heard what occured in the second raid, the conquest of Goa.’

Magellan shrugged his shoulders. ‘Not sure what you mean.’

‘Well, Albuquerque ordered a demolition project on some old walls. The stones were to be used for reconstruction of the defenses. Behind one of the walls a cross was discovered, all made of copper. News of this spread all over the city. When Albuquerque was informed, he summoned all the priests and those with him to see for themselves. They carried the cross with great devotion and shed tears as they made a procession to the church. After many inquiries of the citizens nobody could remember any Christians to have ever visited this city.’

‘A miraculous sign!’ Magellan said.

 ‘Indeed. After that, Albuquerque and all those with him believed with all their hearts they would overcome, regardless if they faced an enemy countless in number and armed with heavy artillery. Once Goa was conquered, the mosques would be turned into houses of prayer and dedicated unto the Lord.’ Abreau clasped his hands together behind his back and smiled. ‘You know, many believed it was Santiago who came to their aid. After Goa was taken a number of Moors inquired who was the captain with shining armor and a red cross. They wanted to know who marched with the Christians, striking down the Moors, for he alone had taken their city from them.’

Magellan turned toward Abreau with eyes wide open. ‘Incredible! Then we fight on a good day. The day of Santiago.’

‘Yes we do. Let us persevere until victory is complete.’

‘Aye,’ Magellan said. 

Suddenly, the trumpets blared from the ships to wake the crews. Francisco approached magellan on deck while rubbing his eyes. ‘The one day I would like to sleep a little longer.’

‘Yes, but duty never sleeps in, my friend,’ Francisco chuckled.

‘To the boats men!’ Captain Abreau yelled, ‘To the boats!’

Crews scrambled to fetch their personal gear and weapons and then climbed down the ropes to the boats waiting below. Both the Portuguese longboats and the borrowed Chinese barcas were boarded in disciplined order. The armada of landing craft untied from the Portuguese ships and the merchant junks, then all tied up to Albuquerque’s flagship, the Flor de la Mar. Once a general confession was made on board, the boats proceeded toward shore en masse, all converging toward the bridge at the mouth of the river.

At sunrise, they disembarked their craft. Men flung down planks over the sandy beach to protect themselves from the hidden traps of sharp four-pointed steel caltops and gunpowder mines. The Moors unleashed their cannons from the stockades. The artillery was aimed too high and sent screeching iron balls over the Portuguese as they gathered on shore. Marksmen from the enemy stockades fired their matchlocks and wounded several men. Once the volley of artillery was spent, Albuquerque ordered the trumpets sounded and with a war cry of ‘Santiago,’ they charged the bridge stockades, each squadron to their assigned side. Moors rushed forward to defend with their lancemen and archers. Captain Abreau led his contingent in a spirited charge; Magellan and Francisco guarded his flank side. All were clad with breastplates and steel helmets. The Moors unleashed a barrage of arrows from the stockades while others rushed forward with long lances and shields. The battle raged hard with both sides taking losses.

Meanwhile, the squadron which disembarked on the mosque side of the bridge forged their way into the stockades and routed the Moors. Moments later, the sultan showed up with upon his his war elephant and his son upon another. The sultan’s brigade of 20 elephants were equipped with wooden castles and accompanied by a large body of warriors. The sultan compelled the Moors who fled to return to their stations in the stockades. When D. João de Lima, Magellan Perez Dandrade, and those in their squadron saw the sultan, their rage erupted.

‘Remember what they did to Ruy and the others,’ Lima said.

‘They will pay in blood,’ Dandrande replied.

 Demonstrating no fear of the war elephants, the squadron forcefully crushed the Moor advance party and took control of the mosque.

A large contingent of the sultan’s forces had converged to reinforce the city side of the bridge. Inspired by the squadron taking the mosque and bridgehead, Albuquerque and his captains rallied and stormed the stockades. Archers and blow guns shot poisoned arrows, wounding many Portuguese. Magellan dodged several arrows as he climbed the stockade wall. Francisco snatched the coat of a Moor and flung him off the bridge. With a spirited assault they forced entry into the stockade and cut down a great number of Moors, which in turn, caused others to flee. Below the stockade walls several Portuguese were slumped over, having succumbed to the poisoned arrows.

From one of the bridge stockades, the sultan’s captain—Tuão Bandão, was so alarmed upon the rout of the Moors that he ventured out with 700 Javanese fighters and 2 other captains to reinforce the city-side of the bridge with intentions to attack the Portuguese forces from the rear. Albuquerque noticed them approaching from one of the city streets. He pointed to the encroaching army. ‘Sousa . . . Abreau . . . Pereira . . . finish them off!’ The three captains led their men into a frontal assault. Magellan retrieved a long pike from one of their fallen comrades and joined the line. He had trained in the new weapons regiment as a pikeman while in Cochin. As the Moors rushed ahead, he crouched and girded the pike. Several others joined him with pikes and lances. The Moors had never seen such intimidating weaponry, and were no match for the disciplined maneuvers. In the first wave of the Portuguese attack, the Moors were skewered by the long pikes, and the survivors fled in fear toward the bridge.

Captain Lima’s squadron was now stationed at the mosque. From a distance, they spotted the fleeing Moors and immediately rushed to cut them off in front of the bridge. They slew many. Those remaining trapped between the two squadrons frantically jumped into the sea to escape. But the Portuguese mariners in the patrol boats were stategically positioned and finished them off.

Once Captain Lima returned to the stockade, he discovered the sultan retreating up a hill, and immediately ordered an attack. In pursuit of the sultan, they fought the enemy through the streets. The sultan and his son were both mounted on the lead elephants and when they discovered the Portuguese in pursuit, they steered their elephant brigade and army of 2,000 Moors back to the fight. The Portuguese awaited their approach at the head of a city street. The imposing elephants forged ahead. Their tusks, girded with sharp blades, swung dangerously back and forth. Mounted archers fired off poisoned arrows. The sultan’s elephant led the way and faced off against the Portuguese. But, without fear, Captain Magellan Gomez de Lemos squared off directly in front of the charging elephants. Another pikeman came alongside to help confront the menacing beasts. From the elephant carriages, archers sent off a barrage of arrows at the Portuguese front line. Lemos was struck under his right arm but disregarded the wound. Lemos and the other pikeman stabbed at the sultan’s elephant, one poked at the eye and another into the belly. The elephant bucked and reared in agony. It then turned and charged the Moors, crushing any in its way and causing a great stampede of the others. The sultan’s elephant halted a moment. It seized the driver with its trunk, slammed him to the ground and dashed his body into bloody pieces. The sultan, his hand already wounded in the battle, lept out of the elephant castle. He grabbed his son and they both slipped away in the confusion.

Near the bridge Albuquerque had forced entry into the stockades and routed the Moors. They continued to pursue them through the city streets. Abreau’s men were in the forefront and slashed their way ahead in close combat. Francisco cornered two Moors in an alley. They each unsheathed their kris blades, each of their dragon engravings glistening in the light. But, with a few swift maneuvers of his sword, Francisco disemboweled one and soon decapitated the other. He bent over the bodies and retrieved their kris blades from their limp bloodied hands. He tucked them in his belt and joined his group. The Moors were converging in great numbers and the fight grew tense. Albuquerque realized they were hard-pressed and ordered a retreat. Arriving to the bridge they began to erect palisades facing the city and another toward the mosque. The fortifications were constructed of mast poles secured in barrels and sails hoisted in between, for blocking poisoned projectiles. They also setup artillery facing the city. Francisco and Magellan were tying up a sail to one of the poles when they overheard Albuquerque barking orders, ‘Captain Paiva, take 100 men and set fires to the city.’ He looked around. ‘Captain Martinz, take 100 men and burn the sultan’s houses near the mosque.’

Francisco retrieved the kris daggers he had confiscated and held them out before Magellan. ‘Pick one.’

Magellan scratched his beard as he looked over the two well-crafted blades. He reached for one with a black dragon engraved along the side.

‘Nice choice. A souvenir. Might as well keep something useful on this trip.’

‘Thanks. You know, I have wanted one of these for a long time.’

‘Better to get one in battle than from a vendor, no?’

As the day waned, the suffering from the intense heat and grinding work forced the men to plead for a withdrawal. Twice they approached the governor with their complaints. Acknowledging the circumstances in regards to the stifling heat and the 70 wounded, Albuquerque capitulated to their demands. He ordered they confiscate the 50 large cannons in the stockade and fall back to the ships. Magellan and Francisco heaved one of the cannons down the stockade platform toward the beach, all while dodging poisoned blow darts, arrows, and lead balls from matchlocks. Finally, arriving at their vessel they were able to take a well deserved rest.

In the haste of retreat, Captain Gomez de Lemos, the hero facing off against the elephant brigade, had been taken to their vessel. On the quarterdeck, Magellan watched the surgical operation on the main deck below. The captain was held down by two crewmen as another approached wielding a hot iron rod and stared over a bloody hole in the leg.

The captain gritted his teeth, ‘Get to it man!’ The hot iron sizzled as it was applied forcefully to the wound. He merely grunted and then took a sip of water from a canteen by his side. Magellan was informed later that Captain Lemos remained the sole survivor of all those struck by poisoned arrows or darts.      

Once the Portuguese had returned to their fleet, the Sultan of Malacca began to strengthen the stockades, and doubled the bridge artillery. The Moors built more palisades in the city, added artillery near the mosque, and on the beach they stacked prickly brushwood—all soaked in poison.

Albuquerque ordered Captain Abreau and his crew to prepare one of the four-masted junks for battle to take the bridge. In proper position, this massive vessel could overlook the stockades and allow his men to overpower the enemy forces within. Magellan and Francisco prepared shelters on board the junk for protecting the soldiers and provisions from the heat and rains. Artillery and munitions were stationed in strategic points on the principle decks. When all had been readied, a caravel and a galley escorted the junk as it passed over the sand bar before the bridge. Magellan felt a thud as the junk suddenly grounded. Its hull was deep and could not pass during the neap tide. Albuquerque ordered another junk with less draught to make an attempt but it also could not pass over.

Watching the helpless grounded junks, the sultan loaded barges full of firewood, pitch and oil. At high tide, the inflammables were set on fire and the barges sent down the flowing river toward the junks. Perceiving the sultan’s intentions, Albuquerque ordered his men to station their boats in position to harpoon the flaming barges and drag them off with their iron chains. For nine consecutive nights they fended off the the incendiary barges.

During this time the Portuguese repaired their weapons and built a magazine for the crossbows. The agent of the fleet readied barrels, picks, hoes, hatchets and all materials required to construct stockades and mantlets upon the bridge once they commandeered it.

On August 9, Albuquerque convened a council of all his captains and principle officers on board his flag vessel, the Flor de la Mar. Captain Abreau thought it useful to allow Magellan and Francisco to attend, for they both had captained vessels and were war veterans of many campaigns. On deck, Albuquerque addressed the men with intention to resolve the recent disputes among some as to whether it was beneficial to the crown in taking the city and building a fortress within.

Albuquerque clasped his hands behind his back and presented his case: ‘Sirs, you will have no difficulty in remembering that when we decided upon attacking this city, it was with the determination of building a fortress within it, for so it appeared to all to be necessary, and after having captured it I was unwilling to let slip, the possession of it, yet, because you all advised me to do so, I left it, and withdrew; but being ready, as you see, to put my hands upon it again once more, I learned that you had already changed your opinion: now this cannot be because the Moors have destroyed the best part of us.’

Albuquerque paused a moment. ‘Gentlemen, in such an important matter to the crown, I request you put your answers down in writing, for I will not bear the responsibility alone.’

He unclasped his hands and placed them forward with palms facing upward in an earnest plea to reconsider. ‘There are many reasons which I could allege in favor of our taking this city and building a fortress therein to maintain possession of it. I will point out two reasons only why you should not turn back from what you have agreed upon.’

Albuquerque clenched his right fist and continued his harangue. ‘The first is the great service which we shall perform to Our Lord in casting the Moors out of this country, and quenching the fire of this sect of Muhammad so that it may never burst out again. Never again!’

Magellan looked about the room and could see captains and officers begin to nod in agreement, for all despised any Islamic strongholds in the world. 

Albuquerque continued, ‘I am so sanguine as to hope for this from our undertaking, that if we can only achieve the task before us, it will result in the Moors resigning India altogether to our rule, for the greater part of them—or perhaps all of them—live upon the trade of this country and are become great and rich, and lords of extensive treasures. It is also well worthy of belief, that as the Sultan of Malacca, who has already once been discomforted and had proof of our strength, with no hope of obtaining any relief from any other quarter—16 days having already elapsed since this took place—makes no endeavor to negotiate with us for the security of his estate, for Our Lord is blinding his judgment and hardening his heart, and desires the completion of this affair in Malacca.’

Magellan remembered the biblical story of the Exodus, how the Lord hardened the heart of pharaoh in order to display His glory and power. The governor’s rhetoric echoed in his heart.

Albuquerque continued. ‘The second reason is the additional service which we shall render to the King D. Manuel in taking this city, because it is the headquarters of all the spiceries and drugs which the Moors carry every year hence to the Straits, and without our being able to prevent them from so doing; but if we deprive them of this, their ancient market there, there does not remain for them a single port, nor a single situation, so commodius in the whole of these parts, where they can carry on their trade in these things.’ The governor made some final comments then the commanders voted their opinions. After such a persuasive speech the majority now favored taking the city and building a fortress. Thereafter, orders were given for a fully united assault on the bridge, early the next morning.

Ferdinand Magellan and Francisco Serrão were on the quarterdeck assisting Captain Abreau navigate the massive junk towards the bridge. Closing to within a crossbow’s distance, the Moors opened fire upon them from several different directions. Large matchlocks sent steel bullets whizzing past their heads. Magellan snatched up a pavise to deflect an incoming barrage of poisoned darts and arrows. Bombards shot heavy lead and stone balls across the decks from one end to the other, smashing the planking and masts.

Fearlessly, Captain Abreau continued to bark out orders from the exposed quarterdeck. Unfortunately, he was the first hit. A bullet from a matchlock smashed into his jaw, knocking out half his teeth and much of his tongue.

Albuquerque was sailing next to the junk and saw Abreau’s mouth full of blood and yelled out: ‘Captain, come on board my vessel. You must be attended to.’

‘I—can—still—command!’ Abreau gurgled. His words could barely be understood as part of his tongue was hanging down and his was mouth was full of blood.

‘Take him aboard my vessel,’ Albuquerque demanded the crew of the junk. ‘Captain Dalpoem will take over command until further notice. Abreau was brought across the gunwhale and Magellan and Francisco assisted the captain across the deck as artillery fire whistled past.

The junk overshadowed the bridge with its lofty height. From the mainmast castle, Portuguese gunners fired their matchlocks and crossbowmen shot bolts repeatedly. Francisco and several men along the rails of the junk lit dangling fuses that were inserted into large tin cans of gunpowder, all packed with metal shards. They heaved them onto the bridge below with devastating explosions and flesh-penetrating shrapnel. Overpowered, the Moors fled the bridge and retreated to the stockades on the sides of the bridge. Watching the Moor forces in disarray, Albuquerque ordered a full assault of boats to make a landing.

Magellan and Francisco joined the invasion force. Planks were again used to avoid the landmines and poisoned bushes. They forced their way to the stockades and fought the enemy vigorously until the Moors were finally routed. Once the bridge was secured, they raised the flag of Portugal high. In this early strike, the Portuguese had lost three men with many wounded, but the Moors suffered a considerable number of casualties.

Albuquerque immediately ordered a company to take out the mosque, and another company to destroy the palisades erected by the Moors in the city street facing the bridge. When the captains arrived at the city palisades they met a nominal force and were able to quickly take possesion.

However, those raiding the mosque side met with a formidable resistance by the sultan’s elephant brigade and an army of 3,000 warriors. Keeping watch from the bridge, Albuquerque took notice and sent up a large body of men to reinforce his troops near the mosque, and this made the difference. Once the sultan had been routed with his army, Albuquerque stationed some captains at the mosque, then fell back to secure the bridge.

At the bridge, the munitions of tools and supplies from the junk were offloaded and two strong palisades erected with heavy guns for defense. Remembering his last mistake of fighting in the intense heat, Albuquerque ordered the junk and bridge to be covered with palm leaves to protect the men from the sun.

A flare up of Malaccan warriors began to pound the captain’s squadrons stationed at the city palisades. Albuquerque realized he needed to respond quickly and called to his leading men. ‘Captains—Lima, Pereira, Martinz, Afonso, and Simão Dandrade.’ He pointed toward the city. ‘Take that street. Give no quarter to anyone!’ He looked over the remainding captains. ‘Paiva, Dalpoem, and Magellan Dendrade. You need to reinforce those under seige over there.’ He pointed in another section of the city.

Captain Abreau entered the palisade with a bandaged jaw. Albuquerque smiled. ‘Fit for action?’ 

Abreau responded with a resolute nod.

‘We need your spirit and your company of good men,’ the governor continued. ‘Please join Paiva and the others.’

Albuquerque faced the men. ‘I will follow up with the remainding forces once we establish the bridge. Gentlemen, let us take Malacca today!’

The men rallied and stamped their weaponry on the bridge planking with a thunderous crescendo.

Storming off into the streets they cried, ‘Santiago!’ Regardless of the vastly outnumbered forces, the Portuguese squadrons unleashed a furious assault against the Moors.

Captain Abreau led his men through the city streets until they encountered an onslaught of arrows and bullets from fighters covered in and by the surrounding buildings. Abreau pointed to a high tower where a Moor had fired off his matchlock.

Magellan nodded and pursued his target.

Abreau then pointed to a crossbowman just visible on a building rooftop.

Francisco took off in the indicated direction.

In front of the Portuguese, an enormous horde of Moors charged forward in the street. Abreau signaled for the pikemen to engage. They stepped in unison with shields in tight formation and raised their long pikes in horizontal combat position. The Moors halted, faces twisted in fear, as the first two victims were stabbed. The blades exited past their spines, and then retracted forcefully. The Moor’s innards were ripped through and splayed all over the street in bloody pieces.

Magellan raced up a series of stairs then stepped onto a narrow ledge to make his way toward the marksman. Salty sweat poured down his brow and stung his eyes. He unsheathed his new dagger and peeked around the corner. The marksman shot a round into the city street below. Magellan reached around the corner and shoved his razor-sharp kris deep into the Moor’s side. The wavy contour of the blade allowed it to easily penetrate between the ribs. Magellan twisted the blade upward, then sideways. The Moor stared at him in shock as he withdrew the bloodied dagger. Magellan kicked him off the tower, then picked up the matchlock and fired upon the encroaching Moors in the street below.

Meanwhile, Francisco forced his way through a street-level wooden door. He climbed through a labyrinth of passageways and stairs until he finally made the rooftop. The Moor heard the rooftop door bang open, turned, raised his crossbow, and fired. Francisco barely dodged the bolt, and it slammed into the doorway. The Moor hesitated between reloading the crossbow and drawing the dagger from his belt. The delay was more than enough for Francisco to close the distance. He rushed forward, his own kris cradled in his hand. He brought the dagger up under the Moor’s jaw, forcing the blade upward, lifting the man up and dropping him like a sack of flour when he yanked the blade out. The Moor dropped the crossbow and staggered forward, clutching at his throat as his own blood covered his hands. He dropped to his knees, then collapsed. Francisco snatched up the crossbow and the arrows from the dead man’s quiver. He took a position on the roof edge, loaded a bolt, then fired off a round into the back of an axe-wielding combatant about to ambush Captain Abreau from a looming terrace. The axe-man fell forward and landed with a thud. Abreau looked up and saw Francisco giving him a salute.

On the street below, the Portuguese regiments held their line with great discipline and continually thrust their long pikes at the stunned natives. The Moors were unaccustomed to such weaponry and tactics. Portuguese with crossbows and matchlock marksmen aimed every shot with precision. With the relentless energy and passion of the Portuguese, the Moors were soon routed. Any who fled to the sea were put to the sword by the patroling Portuguese mariners.

As the sun set, the last of the troops entered the heavily fortified bridge palisades. Albuquerque ordered the patrol boats in the river to fire constant artillery bombardments on the city. For ten days and nights they pounded the city until it was engulfed in flames. Any Moor who dared to forage food from the city risked death. Merchants began to plead for surrender and allegiance to the Portuguese. Albuquerque agreed to allow the friendly Chinese, Hindi and Burmese merchants to hoist flags over their residences so they would not suffer destruction or plunder when the Portuguese entered the city as victors.      

Albuquerque arranged for an orderly plunder of the city in timed shifts for three full days and nights. The treasure was bountiful. An incredible cache of 3,000 artillery were taken, 2,000 of these were of bronze. One particular bombard of considerable size had been a gift from the Zamorin of Calicut to the Sultan of Malacca. These artillery pieces were complemented with finely-crafted carriages, unmatched even in Lisbon. The Malays were renowned for their skill as gunsmiths and their work was comparable to the highly regarded Germans. The Portuguese confiscated 3,000 matchlocks and numerous other weaponry. The crown received 200,000 cruzados in coin and a stool encrusted with jewels estimated to be worth 60,000 cruzados. In addition, four golden lions, pearls and jewelry valued at 400,000 cruzados were also reserved for the crown. The queen would receive the prettiest of the slave girls for her entourage, and many were highly-skilled in embroidery.

In addition to personal artifacts gathered in their raids, the common soldiers received 4,000 cruzados worth of gold each and the captains 30,000. These were highly lucrative rewards, for a noble in Lisbon could live well for an entire year on 1,000 cruzados.

After a grueling six week siege on Malacca, the captains wished to return to Portugal with their wealth but Albuquerque insisted they honor their commitment to build a fortress and establish a stable government before they left. The locals were to be given much of the responsibilty to govern their affairs with minimal control by the Portuguese. The Sultan of Malacca had fled the country and no longer remained an immediate threat.

As word spread about the stunning victory of the Portuguese, many nations in the region sent ambassadors to forge alliances and trade negotiations. All those present in the conquest came to conclude it was thus far their greatest victory. No Portuguese armada had yet encountered such an intense struggle, against such numbers of artillery and fortifications.

Battle of Azamor – August 28, 1513 (Magellan Wounded in Knee – Permanent Limp)

King Manuel wanted to send a message to Muley Zayam in Azamor, Morocco, for not paying the tribute owed. It was a personal affront to Manuel’s rule, and he wanted to make a statement.

Ferdinand Magellan was reunited with his brother Diogo in this national military campaign. Magellan was accompanied also by Enrique, a servant acquired during the siege of Malacca. The fleet was the most powerful armada to have left the shores of Portugal. It was comprised of 400 hundred ships, 18,000 men of war, and over 2,000 cavalry troops. King Manuel’s nephew, Jaime—the Duke of Braganza, commanded the armada and João de Lisboa served as chief pilot.

The black Portuguese ships amassed off the coast of Morocco and hoisted their red-crossed flags. When the tide rose, the shallow draft galleys fitted for horse transports were the first to enter the mouth of the Oum Er-Rbia river, all flowing toward the imposing walled city of Azamor. An immense army of Moors had amassed along the walls of the city. Diogo pointed toward movement in the wild brush along the riverbanks.

‘You see that?’ Diogo said.

‘Yeah,’ Magellan replied. ‘Ready for battle?’

‘Ready to serve the king,’ Diogo replied.

The two brothers unfastened their steeds from the transport slings and led them toward the ramps. They tightened their saddles and inspected the stirrups. 

The captain of their transport galley ordered, ‘Lower the ramps!’

Magellan and Diogo finished securing their armor and strapped on their helmets for battle.

‘Time for glory brother,’ Magellan said with a grin.

The Magalhães brothers took the lead and charged down the ramp. Their horses splashed into the river and quickly scrambled onto shore. Archers fired arrows and darts from the city walls. As the Portuguese cavalry pushed forward, Moors hidden in the bushes charged from their flanks with lances.

‘Watch out!’ Diogo yelled at Magellan, just as Moor shoved a lance into his brother’s horse. The loss of momentum thrust Magellan over his steed, and he landed in a mud pit. Magellan rose to one knee, and barely had time to draw his sword before two Moors were upon him.

Diogo whirled his steed around and charged at them from their rear flank. He cut them both down. Magellan saluted his brother. He then turned and looked at his horse lying dead upon the ground. Magellan kneeled and stroked its side.

‘Sorry about your horse brother,’ Diogo said.

Magellan nodded and arose. He leaped on Diogo’s horse and the two rode to join the frontline attack.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese continued to storm the city, and the Moors continued to resist with a determined defense. For three days, the enemy continued to fight. Finally, a lucky shot by a Portuguese gunner had splattered their general into pieces. With the supreme commander obliterated before all to see, the demoralized Moors either fled or surrendered. The city swiftly capitulated.

Although the Moors had given over the city, they had regrouped with their reserve warriors in the desert and embarked on daily harassment raids. The Magellan brothers were in the stable preparing their horses for another daily patrol to engage the enemy marauders and drive them away.

‘Did you ever get paid for your horse,’ Diogo asked.

‘Not exactly,’ Magellan replied. ‘The quartermaster only paid me 3,700 reis.’

‘Really? Officer’s rate should be near 13,000.’

‘That is what I thought. Preposterous. I wrote the king to adjust the pay accordingly, since my horse was in honorable service to the crown.’

‘You think he will honor your request?’

‘He should. Of course, knowing his demeaner and his court sycophants, likely not. Nevertheless, I must request on principle.’

The Magellan brothers accompanied a small squadron into the desert. But this day, they encountered a superior force of Moor cavalry and were quickly surrounded. Upon his steed, Magellan charged ahead to engage the enemy. In the melee, he was struck in the left knee by a lance. The pain was intense as the imbedded shaft bobbed up and down with the movement of his horse. Taking notice, Diogo rode up and grabbed the reins to steer them into a retreat while their comrades continued to fight. Once they were a safe distance away, Diogo dismounted and then carefully removed the lance from his brother’s knee. It was a bloody mess and Magellan grimaced in pain. Diogo quickly wrapped the wound, and they rode back to Azamor.

Diogo entered a temporary officer’s quarters and found his brother lying on a cot. ‘So, what is the news?’ he asked Magellan.

‘Ship surgeon says the lance split the tendon.’

‘But you are not a cripple.’

‘No, but he said, I will always have a limp.’

‘Nothing he can do for that?’

‘Nothing. Lifelong he says.’

‘Well, at least you will be able to walk.’

Magellan nodded and looked away.

‘The duke’s fleet is returning home,’ Diogo said.

Magellan turned his face back to Diogo. ‘And you are going with him?’

Diogo’s countenance turned serious. ‘I did my duty and answered the call to arms by the king. You realize Isabel is managing the farm alone?’ Diogo grinned. ‘Brother, I left you back in India when you were wounded. I will not do that again. I am here to finish this mission with you to the end.’

Magellan smiled, then shifted the conversation. ‘So, who will take the duke’s command?’

‘A war veteran, João Soares—Count de Meneses,’ Diogo replied. ‘I hear a capable leader, respects the men under him.’

‘Yes, I know him. All these things are true.’ Magellan grimaced as he raised himself up to a seated position with his back against the wall. He saluted his Diogo. ‘I am glad you are staying.’

 Diogo returned a salute and walked away.

Three months later, Magellan limped into the new commander’s quarters steadied by a walking stick. João Soares sat behind a rustic desk browsing over some documents. He glanced up at the figure limping into his office doorway. ‘Ah, Magellan. I met your brother this morning. He mentioned your unfortunate encounter with a Moor lance.’

‘Yes, it is true I’m afraid.’ Magellan said. ‘It’s just a scratch. I am ready to return to duty.’

‘Diogo also mentioned you had fought in many battles in the east, seriously wounded in two.’ He lifted his shirt revealing a long scar along the rib cage. ‘Took a lance myself, quite painful. Nearly killed me.’

‘I do not doubt it. You are fortunate,’ Magellan said. ‘And blessed.’

Soares smiled. ‘I hear you ride out daily, not many take such initiative.’ He rose from his desk, walked to the window, and stared out to the courtyard full of cavalry preparing to ride out. ‘I need men like you in my command, a war veteran.’

‘How may I serve?’ Magellan said.

The commander moved back to the desk and unfurled a chart and traced his finger across several points on the perimeter of Azamor. ‘We need to end these incursions. We need to reach an agreement with some of the desert tribes. They would pose a formidable alliance against the enemy. They know the trails and the enemy tactics. But how do we contact them?’

‘If I may suggest sir. I have a trusted servant, skilled in many languages, including Arabic. With your permission we can ride out today and request their aid.’

‘You are resourceful Magellan. Permission granted and good luck. Report to me as soon as you have any information.’

‘Yes sir,’ Magellan said. ‘If that is all, then—’

‘One more thing,’ Soares said. ‘You and Captain Álvaro Monteiro will serve as my quartermaster-majors, in charge of the war booty. I do not trust the senior officers, too close to the duke and the court.’

Yes sir,’ Magellan replied. ‘It is understood.’

‘Good. Take care of yourself. You are valuable to me.’

Magellan saluted him and limped away. 

 Over the next few months, and with some frustration, alliances were gradually formed with the desert Bedouin, and the Moor incursions gradually faded away. The senior officers occupied their time by continuing to make complaints about Magellan’s appointment as a mere junior officer to the highly coveted position of Quartermaster-Major. Near the end of March, 1514, news arrived of a Moor army amassing in great numbers. It was comprised of troops from Fez and Mequinez who intended to oust the Portuguese from Azamor. Commander Soares led his troops out to engage, and on April 12, they met in battle. The Moors lost 2,000 warriors and the Portuguese endured their own wounded and dead, albeit in much lesser numbers. But the Portuguese realized quickly they were outclassed in manpower. The Moor army continued to push forward, throwing warriors at the Portuguese in overwhelming numbers. In desperation, Magellan and Enrique rode out to enlist the aid of the desert nomads. Meanwhile, the Portuguese cavalry began making staged retreats with an objective to slow the Moor encroachment. But the sheer size of the invading army was impossible to halt. Finally, one day, Magellan appeared in the distance over a sand dune with a massive alliance of tribal warriors. The Portuguese cavalry turned and gawked in surprise.

Diogo was near Captain Álvaro Monteiro. He grinned and said, ‘My brother has arrived.’

Captain Monteiro yelled, ‘Magellan! About time!’

Magellan raised his black sword and charged down the dune with the allied warriors swarming behind. They crashed into the Moor lines with raw violence. The Moors clashed right back. Bodies fell and blood flowed. During the encounter, João Soares was hit in the leg with a rusted lance and Magellan stood over him, fighting off attackers, until others could drag him safely back. Magellan, always efficient with his blade, pushed forward with the others. Eventually, the Moors were routed. The end of the battle was a respite for most, but a headache for others.

Magellan’s knee wound caused him to have a pronounced limp for the remainder of his life.

Battle of Mactan Island, Philippines – April 26-27, 1521 (Magellan Killed in Battle)

It was about a week prior, when a minor chieftain of a village called Bullaya had refused to pay homage to the rajah of Cebu and no tribute was rendered. Captain-General Magellan wasted no time. The village was torched, and a cross was erected on the ashes.

Now, on April 26, as the captain-general was finishing mass, another chieftain of Mactan named Zula had sent his son with a tribute of two goats and the following message: Zula had apologized that he was not able to receive baptism nor pledge fealty to the king of Spain, for the most powerful rajah of Mactan—Lapu-Lapu, would not allow it. But, if the captain-general provided one boat with some men, he could defeat Lapu-Lapu, and bring him into submission. Magellan replied that he would take the matter up with his captains and the rajah of Cebu.

Meanwhile, Rajah Humabon had also been informed about the arrival of Zula’ son and had come to inquire what the captain-general thought.

Enrique translated for the rajah, ‘My brother, I hear you have news from Mactan, Anything important?’

‘Yes, Lapu-Lapu refuses to submit,’ Magellan replied.

‘Ah yes, my rival. We had good relations a long time ago, but then he turned against me by raiding the merchant vessels frequenting our trading ports. He even dares to rule over Cebu.’

‘A pirate. We have ways to deal with them. You should know this my brother. Our Lord in heaven had taught us that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Are these islands not a kingdom?’

Yes, but we are only bound by alliances, not under one ruler.’

‘Then you are divided.’

‘But I must warn you. They have a large army of fierce warriors and skilled in combat. I ask you to reconsider. Perhaps we can—’

‘Force him to submit,’ the captain-general impatiently interrupted.’

‘I see you are a determined man,’ Humabon said. ‘I will accompany you with my own warriors.’

‘I only need 3 boats with 60 armed men to crush this renegade army.’ Magellan said.

Later, Captain Juan Serrano boarded the Trinidad and reported to the captain-general’s quarters.

‘Ah, my loyal captain. I wanted to hear your thoughts on this matter of the renegade chief on Mactan Island. This one they call, Lapu-Lapu.’

Captain Serrano frowned. ‘I understand your zeal to convert the heathens to the faith and forge new alliances, but this—this is reckless and a needless enterprise. Would it not be prudent to continue to the Spice Islands as mandated by the king?’

Pigafetta was nearby and nodded.

Serrano continued, ‘Our ships need repair and we have lost many men. We cannot afford to lose more. Furthermore, if we split our forces, we risk attack upon the undermanned fleet.’

‘I hear your concerns,’ Magellan said. ‘But we must solidify our presence here before departing. I have fought in many battles against overwhelming numbers, often by the countless thousands, but we had always prevailed. We have the superior weaponry, tactics, and courage. We shall prevail my friend.’

‘Will you at least remain with the fleet, and we can send another to lead the men?’ Serrano asked.

Pigafetta was standing nearby and pleaded, ‘Please sir, stay?’

‘I will not leave my flock,’ Magellan replied with resolve. ‘We shall leave tonight.’

Near midnight, three skiffs armed with mounted swivel guns, and a fleet squadron dressed in corselets and helmets, sailed through the channel between Cebu and Mactan. They had left behind their armored leg greaves, for the rajah had informed they would have to wade a distance from shore. Rajah Humabon and 1000 of his warriors in 30 canoes accompanied the captain-general’s boats. They had navigated nine miles until arriving on the northeastern end of Mactan Island.

Magellan spoke via Enrique to Humabon who was alongside in his canoe. ‘My brother, please send your trusted merchant from Siam to Lapu-Lapu with this message, ‘If you agree to obey the king of Spain, and pay tribute, we shall all be friends. But, if you act contrary, you shall learn by experience how our lances pierce.’

The messenger returned sometime later with Lapu-Lapu’s response: ‘We have lances of bamboo hardened in the fire and stakes dried in the fire, and we can attack you when we want. But we ask you to wait until the morning so that we have more men.’

Rajah Humabon warned the captain-general, ‘I know his tactics. They want you to come in the night, for they have dug pits with deadly stakes so that you will fall into them and die. We can attack at first light.’

‘A ruse for sure,’ Magellan said. ‘But I request you remain here to witness how our men can fight.’

‘But the numbers of his warriors are great.’

‘Even better, so that the fear of Spain will spread across all these islands and reinforce your rule here.’

‘Very well. I will hold my men as you request.’

At dawn, the men could see the coral reef full of stones and rocks. The tide was low and the three skiffs with the swivel guns would have to remain beyond the reef. But they would be out of range to provide cover-fire. The captain-general and 48 armed men with swords, lances, arquebuses, and crossbows, leapt into the water and began their long march to shore—nearly half a mile.

Upon reaching the shore, a massive force of 3,000 island warriors approached in 3 divisions, 2 on the flanks, and 1 in the front. They were outnumbered 20 to 1, a formidable army.

The captain-general ordered, ‘Separate in two divisions and align in a V formation. Those armed with arquebuses and crossbows initiate the assault.’

For half an hour, they fired into the enemy ranks but with little effect. The natives dodged and weaved, so that it was difficult to hit any of them. Due to the distance, any shot that struck their shields only cracked or barely penetrated them.

Magellan ordered, ‘Cease firing! Cease firing! Save your rounds.’

The enemy was emboldened by the futility of the Portuguese attack and drew closer. The enemy unleashed an intense assault of arrows, long iron-tipped bamboo lances, pointed stakes hardened by fire, and stones. In the heat of combat, the squad continued to fire off their small artillery, ever depleting their reserves. They were able to push forward to the edge of a mangrove surrounding a village.

Magellan realized he must try another tactic and turned to Pigafetta with new orders, ‘We need to instill fear in them and draw them off. Take some men and burn their houses. We will hold the beach until you return.’

With the strong winds, 30 houses went up in a blaze, but it did not have the intended psychological effect. To the contrary, it only roused the enemies’ anger and further emboldened their attacks. Pigafetta’s unit was cut off by insurgents emerging from the groves. Two of their comrades were killed near the houses and another was cut deep in the leg. They made their way through the groves and rejoined the captain-general on the beach. Suddenly, a massive onslaught of native weaponry was unleashed from the cover of the groves. A poison tipped arrow lodged into Magellan’s leg. He snapped it off while watching a horde of islanders storming onto the beach.

‘Men,’ he yelled. ‘It is time to make a gradual ordered retreat to the boats.’

The captain-general was accustomed to fighting among the ranks of veteran soldiers, but now he only had a few men experienced in disciplined battle tactics. With the countless enemy forces continuing to emerge onto the beach, the men panicked and ran to the boats in complete disorder.

Magellan was left with only eight brave comrades, including Pigafetta and Cristovão Rebêlo. As they retreated to the water’s edge, they resisted against a heavy onslaught of arrow and spears, most aimed at their unprotected legs. It was a daunting struggle, for the boats were too distant to aid with the swivel guns, and they had depleted their small arms reserves of crossbow bolts and arquebus shot. The remaining eight fought in close combat as they retreated slowly, step-by-step toward the boats—still beyond the reef.

They engaged in a standoff for nearly an hour. A poison-tipped arrow struck Pigafetta in the forehead and blood gushed down his face. Twice the captain-general’s helmet was knocked from his head. Drawing closer, the islanders discovered his senior ranking and intensified their aim towards him in a relentless assault. Magellan was hit in the arm by another spear. He pulled it out and tossed it away. Ever loyal, Cristovão came to his defense but was soon struck dead by an overwhelming barrage of spears. Magellan picked up his valiant adopted son’s limp body and then glared into the eyes of the hostiles who were hollering and jumping about with bloodlust.

The poison had begun to take effect, for his energy was waning and vision starting to blur intermittently. But the rage pumped adrenaline into his body, providing a temporary antidote. Magellan charged ahead with unbridled fury, ever thrusting his lance at the gloating hordes. Soon, he was surrounded by the enemy, and separated a great distance from his men.

He turned and yelled, ‘Get to the boats! I will cover you! That’s an order! Go!’

Just as he turned again to engage the enemy, a bamboo spear grazed his face leaving a clump of bloody flesh dangling down to his neck. With rapid reflexes, he shoved his lance into the attacker’s chest, leaving him dead in the water.

Meanwhile, Rajah Humabon watched in horror as his blood brother was in serious life-threatening peril. He ordered some of his warriors to draw off the attackers.

Magellan continued to bravely confront the assailants. He tried to draw his sword, but could only draw it halfway, due to the previous spear wound to his arm. He turned again to see if his comrades had retreated safely and smiled when finding they were almost to the boats. But Pigafetta had remained midway in hope he could still assist. Discovering the Portuguese commander was now gravely wounded, the warriors all hurled themselves upon him. A large scimitar landed a powerful blow to his left leg causing him to fall face down in the water. Magellan summoned his remaining strength, rose to one knee, and turned to find his men were now at a safe distance. Knowing his hour had come, he held his arms up to heaven. A final barrage of spears and stakes were thrust into his neck and limbs until there was no more movement and only a current of red water.

After the wounded were landed on the boats, the gunners opened fire upon the encroaching enemy and any who dared to pursue. Unfortunately, four of Humabon’s warriors were killed in the crossfire. In addition to the captain-general, the fleet lost 8 men and the enemy lost 15 by the ship’s guns—and an unknown number on shore. Pigafetta and many others were wounded. When the rajah had learned his friend and blood brother was dead, he wept greatly.

After a respite, the crews asked Rajah Humabon to send a messenger to receive their dead, including the captain-general’s body. An offer was proposed to exchange the diseased for any merchandise they desired from the warehouse. Later, the messenger returned with Lapu-Lapu’s response. He refused to give up the body of such a man and would keep him as an eternal memorial of their victory. Humabon never relayed the entire message to the crews, for Lapu-Lapu had threatened the rajah of Cebu of retaliation if he did not drive off the foreigners or exterminate them.

Pigafetta recorded his eulogy with intentions to be delivered later to his former commander—Villiers de l’ Isle-Adam—Grand Master of Rhodes:

I hope that by your most illustrious lordship, the renown of so valiant and noble a captain will not be extinguished or fall into oblivion in our time. For among his other virtues, he was more constant in a very high hazard and great affair than ever was any other. He endured hunger better than all the others. He was a navigator and made sea charts. And that that is true was seen openly, for no other had so much natural wit, boldness, or knowledge to sail once round the world, as he had undertaken. This battle was fought on a Saturday, April 27, 1521. And the captain wished to make it on a Saturday, because that was his day of devotion.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Magellan Articles:

Magellan in Lisbon, Portugal

Magellan in Seville, Spain

Magellan and the Patagonian Giants