1 - The Voyage of William Hawkins in 1530

Summary

Oldb M. William Haukins of Plimmouth, a man for his wisdorne, valure, experience, and skill in sea causes much esteemed, and beloued of King Henry the eight, and being one of the principall Sea Captaines in the “West partes of England in his time, not contented with the short voyages commonly then made onely to the knowen coastes of Europe, armed out a tall and goodlie ship of his owne, of the burthen of 250. tunnes, called the Pole of Plimmouth wherewith he made three long and famous voyages vnto the coast of Brasill, a thing in those days very rare, especially to our Nation. In the course of which voyages he touched at the Bieur of Sestos, vpon the coast of Guinea, where he tra-fiqued with the Negroes, and tooke of them Oliphants’ teeth, and other commodities which that place yeeldeth: and so arriuing on the coast of Brasil, used there such discretion, and behaued himselfe so wisely with those sauage people, that he grew into great familiarite and friendship with them. Insomuch that in his 2. voyage, one of the sauage kings of the Countrey of Brasill was contented to take ship with him, and to be transported hither into England : whereunto M. Haukins agreed, leauing behinde in the countrey as a pledge for his safetie and returne againe, one Martin Cockeram of Plimmouth.