Narratives

Ferdinand Magellan is a Portuguese navigator who was sent to lead an expedition after
gaining the trust of King Charles V.
August 10, 1519
-Ships departed from Port Seville for what become the first circumnavigation of
the globe
March 16, 1521
-Archipelago of St. Lazarus (island of Samar) was discovered on the feast day of
said saint.
Arrival in Cebu
-He befriended the chieftain and erected a cross for the natives to adore every
day.
Proceed to island of Mactan
-Magellan and members of his crew attempted to subdue the Mactan natives by
force, but in the ensuing battle, the Europeans were overpowered and Magellan was
killed.
Afterwards, the crew of the remaining ships, Trinidad and Victoria returned to Spain.
But then, Passing by Portugal, the ship Trinidad was confiscated and only ship Victoria
successfully reached the Spain and completed the circumnavigation of the world
Antonio Pigafetta
-One of the crew members who returned to Spain and wrote “Chronicles of
Magellan Expedition”
Chronicles of Magellan Expedition
- A narrative and carto graphic record of the Journey, including 23 hand-draw
watercolour charts from Patagonia to Indonesia, from Philippines to the cape
of good hope.

FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD

September 8, 1522, the crew of Victoria headed to Moluccas Island from Seville, Spain.
During the expedition, the fleet came across the Marianas archipelago which was later
on called by Magellan as “Islas de los ladrones” or the Island of thieves.
The inhabitants started stealing from Magellan’s ship as it was their custom that visitors
must share what they had and the crew of Magellan was unknown of the custom.
This act of the inhabitants made Magellan furious that cause the destruction of forty to
fifty houses by fire and the death of seven men- death by crossbow shaft that pierce
their loins from one side to another.
Women were crying of grief after witnessing the death of their beloved. These women
were good-looking with light complexion and loose hair. They did the housework like
basket making.
The people in general of this island were naked with black hair reaching to the waist;
teeth painted red and black and their heads covered with palm leaf hat.
Their food included banana, fish, sugar cone, and flying fish.
Their body and hair was splashed with coconut and beneseed oil.
Their houses were made out of wood covered with banana tree leaves furnished with
palm leaf mat.
The people loved to sail their dolphin-liked boats that had sail made from palm leaves.
These people always thought they were alone in the world.
Dawn of March 16, 1521, the fleet of Magellan stumbled on another island three
hundred league from Island of thieves which was name Zamal(Samar)
Magellan occupied another uninhabited island to gather water and get some rest.
March 18, a boat with nine men approached them and the chief of the boat greeted the
Crew with signs of joy because of their arrival.