ITINERARY,

VOYAGE OR SHIP-

JOURNEY, BY JAN HUYGHEN VAN LIN-

SCHOTEN TO THE EAST OR PORTUGUESE

Indies, containing a short description of the same Lands and Sea-coasts, with an indication of all the foremost principal Harbors, Rivers, Capes, and Places, discovered and known by the Portuguese until now; to which are added, not only the Portraits of the habits, dress, and character, both of the Portuguese residing there and of the native Indians, and their Temples, Idols, and Houses, with the most prominent Trees, Fruits, Herbs, Spices, and similar materials, as well as the customs of the same People, both in their Religious services and in Policy and Housekeeping: but also a short account of the Trades, how and where they are conducted and found, with the most memorable histories that occurred during the time of his residence there, all described and gathered together by the same, very useful, profitable, and also pleasant for all the curious and Lovers of foreign things.

Being in the Fatherland The Netherlands. in my early youth, and being inclined to read strange things of Lands and histories, in which I took particular pleasure and delight, with a great awakening of desire to see strange and unknown lands, or to seek some adventures, to thereby satisfy my affection in some way, I resolved to absent myself for some time from the Fatherland, and the conversation of Friends and Kin, although it was difficult for me; yet the hope that it might be a quenching of my desire finally comforted me to undertake such a thing, trusting in the Lord that He would help fulfill my intention: being entirely resolved with this thought to pursue the same, I obtained permission from my Parents, who at that time lived in Enkhuizen, and being ready to go aboard, I joined a Fleet of Ships which lay ready by the Island of Texel to sail to Spain and Portugal, on a Ship that would sail to Sanlúcar de Barrameda original: "S. Lucas de Barrameda"; a Spanish port at the mouth of the Guadalquivir river.: for my intention was to travel to Seville original: "Sivillien", where I had two Brothers living, who had been there for several years, in order to better find my way and, with their help, to gain experience of the Country and the Spanish language.

On Dec. 6, An. 1579, we sailed out of Texel.

On the 6th of December, in the year 1579, we sailed out of Texel (being in company with nearly 80 Ships), taking our course toward Spain. On the 9th of the same, we passed through the Heads The Straits of Dover between England and France. of England and France. On the 12th, we saw the cape named Cabo de Finisterre. On the 15th, we saw the Land of Sintra, or otherwise the Cabo da Roca original: "C. de Rocxent"; the westernmost point of continental Europe., where the River Tagus original: "Tengio ofte Tagus" flows into the Sea, upon which is situated the famous city of Lisbon; there some of our Fleet sailed in and departed from us. On the 17th, we saw the cape or the Cape St. Vincent original: "C. de san Vincente". On the 25th, on Christmas Day, we entered the River of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, where I stayed for two or three days, and thereafter traveled to Seville, where I arrived on the first of January, in the year [15]80, and found there one of my Brothers, since the other had remained at

the court of Spain in Madrid; and although I had a singular desire to travel further immediately, yet for lack of the Spanish language (without which one can hardly get along), I was forced to stay there for a time, to gain some experience of the speech; In the meantime, it happened
Uprising due to the death of King Henry of Portugal.

that in Portugal King Don Henry passed away, the last of the Portuguese lineage, through whose death a great uprising and discord arose, because the same deceased King left in his Will as the rightful heir and successor the King of Spain, Philip, his Sister's Son; nonetheless, the Portuguese, being always mortal enemies of the Spanish nation, were mostly against this and chose as their King Don Antonio, Prior of Crato, who was the son of the deceased King’s Brother; Understanding this, the King of Spain immediately prepared himself to go in person to Portugal to receive the Crown, and sent ahead the Duke of Alva with an army of people and many armed men to quiet all uprising and discord, and brought it under his subjection partly by force, partly with presents, gifts, and boons, for which reason many people moved out of Seville and all roads leading there, as commonly happens, people being inclined toward change and novelty; among whom my Brother, through the urging of others, also departed, traveling first to the Court of Spain, which at that time was held in the City of Badajoz original: "Badajos", the furthest frontier City of Spain bordering Portugal, intending to find some advancement there; but arriving there, everything in Portugal was already settled, and all uprisings put down, and Don Antonio driven out, and King Philip accepted as King throughout all of Portugal. Whereby my Brother changed his purpose of going to Portugal and attached himself to an Ambassador who was to travel to Italy on the King’s behalf, with whom he departed; and arriving in Salamanca, he fell ill with a sickness that reigned throughout all Spain at that time, called Tavardilha A historic term for typhus or a similar "spotted fever" that was often epidemic., from which many thousands died, as did my Brother.