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| Ferdinand Magellan | |
|---|---|
| Portuguese sea explorer | |
| Born | Spring 1480 Vila Real, Trás-os-Montes, Portugal |
| Died | April 27, 1521 Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines
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Magellan was born in a stone farmhouse in Sabrosa, near Vila Real, in the province of Trás-dos-Montes of northern Portugal. The son of Pedro Rui de Magalhães, the mayor of the town, and Alda de Mesquita, Magellan had two siblings: his brother Diogo de Sousa, named after his grandmother, and his sister Isabel.
Magellan's parents died when he was ten. At 12, Magellan became a page to king John II and Queen Eleonora at the royal court at the capital of Lisbon, where his brother had gone two years before. Here, with his cousin Francisco Serrano, Magellan continued his education, becoming interested in geography and astronomy. Some speculate that he may even have been taught by Martin Behaim. In 1496, Magellan became a squire.
At age 20, Magellan first went to sea. In 1505 he was sent to India to install Francisco de Almeida as a Portuguese viceroy there and establish military and naval bases along the way. It was here that Magellan would also first experience battle: when a local king refused to pay tribute, Almeida's party attacked, conquering the Muslim city of Kilwa in present-day Tanzania.
Magellan next journeyed to the East Indies in 1506, taking part in expeditions to the Spice Islands. In 1510, Magellan was promoted to the rank of captain. However, after secretly sailing a ship east without permission, he lost his command and was forced to return to Portugal.
In 1511, Magellan was sent to Morocco where he fought in the Battle of Azamor ( August 28 and 29, 1513) and received a severe knee wound while fighting against the Moorish-Moroccan stronghold. Although wounded and the recipient of several medals, Magellan was accused of illegal trade with the Islamic Moors. He had also been involved in conflict with Almeida: after Magellan took a leave of the army without permission, Almeida gave a poor report of the sailor to the Portuguese court. Several of the accusations were subsequently dropped, but Magellan fell into disfavor with King Emanuel I, who refused to raise Magellan's pension.
The King also told Magellan that he would have no further employment in his country's service after May 15, 1514. Magellan formally renounced his nationality and went to offer his services to the court of Spain, changing his name from "Fernão de Magalhães" to "Fernando de Magallanes."
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