Essay Database

Magellan was the most adventurous explorer of the 16th century. He was born in the spring of 1480 to a lower Nobel Portuguese family. He proved himself in many battles and expeditions for his country. But in 1517 he renounced his Portuguese citizenship after King Emanuel refused his request for a fleet to prove the Spice Islands could be reached by sailing west. Magellan left for Spain to seek support for his plan. King Charles I desperately …

…planned and a heavy price was paid for their discoveries. The trip took nearly three years to complete. Four of the five ships were lost. All but 18 of the crew of 270 died from starvation, disease, and warring with hostile natives. Magellan died in a battle in the Philippines in April of 1521. The last remaining ship and 18 crewmembers arrived back in Spain on the 6th of September 1522. They had been the first to circumnavigate the world .