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Mercator's World Magazine - September/October 1998
COLUMBUS' CONFESSION
My story begins with a birthday. Actually with two birthdays.
The year was 1448. I was born in Portugal and was given the name Salvador Goncalves Zarco. My mother was Isabel da Camara, a daughter of the nobleman Joao Goncalves Zarco. My father was Dom Fernando, a grandson of King Joao I of Avis and that made me a descendent of the King. However, my father and mother never married and so at the age of five, she and I moved to the island of Madeira, away from the royal court.
In 1451, a newborn child cried in Italy as he began breathing on his own for the first time. His father, Domenico Colombo, a weaver of woolen cloth in Genoa, took the baby in his arms with joy and thanked the Lord that both his baby and his wife survived the birth. The name of the little boy was Cristoforo Colombo. At the age of fourteen I moved to Lisbon where I became an apprentice on one of the merchant ships. A few years later, I proudly became a knight of the Order of Christ and having been sworn to absolute secrecy, joined the explorations fleet of Fernao Gomes.
Cristoforo Colombo in the meanwhile, not interested in following his father's business, learned seamanship and sailed around Europe as a merchant. I learned navigation and piloting in the naval school of Sagres and soon went out on several expeditions, one of which was to the island of Porto Santo where I met a beautiful lady named Filipa. She was the daughter of Bartolomeu Perestrelo, the governor of the island. We fell in love and promised each other that in a few years I would return for her and we would marry. During the following years I participated in numerous voyages to the West Coast of Africa and working under famed captains and navigators, became proficient in navigation.
Around 1478, the Genoese Colombo settled in Lisbon and acquired a job as a seaman there. Later that year, the ship he was on sank in a storm on its way to the Atores and only the Captain and another man survived. Cristoforo's death was reported with names of the other unfortunates to the governor of Sao Miguel (an island of the Atores), who was under strict orders to report any sunken ships to Dom Jopo and to him only. A week later, a man in elegant clothes arrived at Colombo's boarding house in Lisbon. He identified himself as a messenger from the Royal court. He was in search of the home where a seaman named Cristoforo lived. Was that where he lived? The landlady nodded. The messenger's face lit. Colombo, he explained, had been summoned urgently to Dom Joao's court and had thus been unable to come and collect his belongings. He had come to take them for Colombo. Of course, this ought to cover any bills he owed, he said handing over a small heavy velvet coin-bag. The landlady gladly showed him to the room.
In the meanwhile I was working aboard Fernpo Gomes' ships, exploring the African coast. It was winter of 1478 when I arrived back to my old room at the hostel in Lisbon. There, a royal messenger sent by my cousin Dom Jopo, welcomed me."We have been looking for you, Senhor," said the messenger, his handsome green jacket with its thin white fur lining hinted at a noble status of some sort. " Dom Joao is interested in talking with you and sent me to bring you to him." From the messenger's expression I gathered there was no point in asking questions and quickly put on my best robes. Together we climbed into the inconspicuous covered carriage that waited outside. The horses started off on our way to the Prince's court. Why did my cousin summon me?
As we were passing through the dark woods, the creaking of the carriage wheels and the sound of crushing twigs and leaves under the horses' hooves disturbing the profound silence of the night, I was not able to stop wondering about this secret conference. What was in store for me, the question troubled my mind. Was I in trouble or in favor? Had I been so careless as to commit breach of confidentiality? If that was true, I would never see the outsides of a prison cell again. I shuddered at the mere thought. My cousin wasn't the type to look the other way even with a relative. We passed through the castle gate and the sentries, dressed in light mail and carrying lances, closed the heavy doors behind us. The carriage passed across the dimly lit courtyard and stopped by the main house. It was a stately building made of stone, with tall arched windows and wide wooden doors.
We passed through the grand entrance, two guards in brown attire and carrying sizeable swords accompanied us down the narrow hall. I was led to the Dom Joao's private quarters and my arrival was announced at the doorway by the guard who was stationed there. I took a deep breath as I stepped inside the spacious room. Luxury was evident at every corner. The furniture, grand and impressive, was made of special wood, I observed. Carvings of different symbols and designs decorated the sides of the majestic desk and the tall chairs. Thick curtains that carried the Order of Christ emblems covered the shut windows. Two candles shed their flickering illuminations upon the decor befitting a Prince.
Behind the desk sat Dom Joao, his expression giving away nothing but solemnity. By his side and almost in the shadows, stood Antao de Faria, his chamberlain and right-hand man. The Prince smiled politely in greeting. He was only twenty-two and had a keen penetrating look that made one feel as though one's soul was being examined. I bowed slightly in return, unsure what to expect. "Zarco, my cousin," he began calmly. "You are a knight of the Order of Christ." A tone of questioning was present in his voice. I nodded to confirm his statement. "Whether legitimate or not you are a grandson of my grandfather King Duarte, and the royal blood is in your veins just as it is in mine. You are not married and have no close familial ties. You have proven your worth along the coasts of Africa," Dom Joao then paused for a moment. "Can I trust you?" he asked suddenly, his glaring eyes searching my face for a reaction.
I maintained my composure. "Of course, my cousin! I will defend you with my body if the need arises. I have observed the rules of secrecy throughout my service to the Order of Christ and torture means nothing to me." And as I was slightly offended I added, "why is it, my good Prince, that you should doubt my loyalty?" Dom Joao's stare didn't quiver. Instead he continued to study my expressions and behavior for any clues of my inner feelings. A moment later, as if he had just made up his mind, he spoke again. "I wouldn't have questioned your fidelity if the matter I was about to discuss with you weren't so delicate and important to our country." I nodded in understanding. "You are aware of the threat Spain poses to our gold mines in Africa. Just last week an entire Spanish fleet found its way to the gold coast of Mina and by sheer luck our ships managed to come out victorious. Had the Spanish landed there, they would have seized a considerable amount of gold but more importantly, they would then send more ships there.
"You will agree that this jeopardizes Portugal's claim to Africa and India and at the same time, stirs up a conflict between Portugal and Spain which could result in a war. A war will mean that all discovery voyages and activities will cease and the routes will be open to scavengers who surely will seize the opportunity to take the gold for themselves. Something must be done about it!" I couldn't agree more. A few years back, my own personal experience of fighting with a pirate Spanish ship off the coast of Africa taught me that they could be greedy and fierce enemies. "But what can we do?" I asked, unaware of a possible solution. Spain was strong and powerful. "I have a plan," said the Prince quietly. "A week ago, a Genoese merchant who recently moved to Lisbon, died tragically on a voyage to the Azores. Portugal will owe him a lot for his service, for even though he is not with us anymore, his identity shall remain live." I frowned in bewilderment. "You, my friend, shall take on his identity," carried on the Prince. "From now on your name will be Cristoforo Colombo,or Cristovao Colom in Portuguese. You will use this name and this name alone. Here are his books, notes and personal correspondence. In the improbable case that a message arrives from his family in Italy, respond to it as if he were alive. I will arrange for you to marry the woman of your choice regardless of your new commoner status. When the right opportunity arrives, you will move to Spain and distract the Spanish from the African route." The Prince went on to describe his plot as I listened.
Obviously, I had a lot to sacrifice. But on the other hand, here was a chance to serve my country like no other man had done in the past. I was a knight of the Order of Christ and to serve the King of Portugal was an honor. I wasn't the same man when I left the court that night. I returned to Lisbon and acquired a room under my new name. I found a new job aboard a ship that headed to the far and frozen lands of the north and sailed the powerful North Atlantic Sea. That same year, I visited Iceland and Greenland where the fish were plenty and the cod was in abundance. We soon returned to Lisbon and Dom Joao called for me again.
This time we discussed whom I should marry. We agreed that Filipa Perestrelo, the young lady I had met in Porto Santo was a good choice. I loved her and she was of a good family. After some questioning on the island of Porto Santo, I found out that Filipa had joined a convent in Portugal and didn't want to get married. We had given each other a promise. How could she break it? I was determined to find her and at least talk to her. A few weeks later I showed up at the convent's doorstep demanding to see Filipa. At first, the head nun wouldn't permit it, but after many persuasive maneuvers, I managed to convince her to let me in. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Filipa standing there in the garden, a white garment covering her beautiful figure. And right there, in front of the head nun and the others, I begged her to fulfil her old promise to me. With tears of joy in her eyes, she agreed and we went off to get married. The head nun's reaction is better off censored.
Though she never inquired as to why I had changed my name, I had told her before our marriage that I had a life-long mission to accomplish as a knight of the Order of Christ which required that I assume a different identity. She accepted it and promised that she would follow me in my quest without asking questions. I was very happy with my new life. Dom Joao sent for me whenever he needed a service and paid generously. A year later, Filipa gave birth to my son, Diogo. I in turn joined the center of discoveries in Sagres and sailed to Africa and to Madeira while keeping myself abreast of any new maps and navigational developments. In 1481, Dom Joao, became King Joao II. But even with his new title he never forgot his cousin. He supplied me, always through messengers, with ample support.
The gold and riches brought back from Africa strengthened the Portuguese Crown and with the King's reforms, the country was in a state of great tension. The nobles were dissatisfied with the King's new policies and growing power and felt his existence endangered theirs while the commoners and merchants rejoiced in their newfound protector. In 1483 the Duke of Braganca was found guilty of conspiracy against the King and was executed, thus effectively removing the only firm Portuguese ally Spain had in the country. Portugal's influence and power was increasing rapidly and Queen Isabel and King Fernando were becoming concerned. In 1484, a royal messenger contacted me discreetly and after ensuring we weren't followed, led me to the royal stable where in the dark, I met with the King alone.
A few years had passed since we had last met in person and his features seemed more sage and learned, but his keen penetrating glare was still very much the same. "The time has come, hasn't it?" I asked, sensing hisdiscomfort. The King nodded reluctantly. "My cousin, it is with great honor that I shall carry out my assignment. You mustn't feel guilty for sending me to Spain," I encouraged him. It seemed to cheer him up slightly. "You are a brave man, Salvador Zarco," He said. The mention of my long-forgotten name echoed through my head as if my deepest of secrets had just been discovered. "I and the entire kingdom will never forget your loyalty and dedication." For a second, I could have sworn I saw his eyes turn slightly misty. It was dark in the stable and whether I had indeed seen his tear or not, I have always liked to believe that I had. King Joao was a man of magnificent self-control but at the same time was full of compassion.
"After tonight," he said, "we will have to be very wise and careful. One mistake could risk our route to India or even cost you your life. You must pay close attention to what I am about to tell you. "In three months' time, you will come to me with a proposal to head a discovery voyage. Your objective will be to reach India from the west. This theory was presented to me by an Italian named Toscanelli some time ago and you should become familiar with it as if you had been studying it for years. I will reject your proposal and you will move to Spain, frustrated that you were unable to obtain my cooperation. "In Spain you will present yourself to the Queen and King of Spain as a Genoese, trained in navigation by the Portuguese and lay your theory before them. Your goal is to convince them of the feasibility of this plan and to finance your westward voyage to India." The King stopped for a moment and unfolded a map. I let out a quiet sigh, thinking about the risk involved. I had to be strong, I told myself. He carried on. "Once they agree, you will travel to the West, remaining the entire time south of the Canary Islands. You will reach the Indies," he pointed to a group of islands on the map that was along the same latitude as Cape Verde. "You must study this map with great thoroughness and once able to remember the location of these islands, destroy it."
He handed the map over. The map was no ordinary map, I observed. It was a map of the known world and had a rough outline of a long continent stretching from pole to pole on the other side of the Atlantic. At the bottom of the map were advanced charts and tables that I had never seen before. I tucked it in my deepest pocket. "Once you return, I will summon you to my court and you must be as brash as you can in light of your discovery. Try to keep the Spanish interested in the west as long as you sensibly can. If you ever receive a letter from me apologizing for having ignored your proposal, it will be a warning that an enemy knows about your true identity and that you should escape across the border back to Portugal. "I may make attempts to persuade you to return to Portugal or even send people to sabotage your journey, in order to make the Spanish believe more firmly in your westward journeys. However, I will never apologize formally in a letter or by a messenger unless the circumstances are truly dangerous. Is there anything I have overlooked?" "No, my King. The plan is without a flaw," I responded earnestly. King Joao II looked square in my eyes for a full minute and finally wished God to be with me. He turned around and walked out. I stood there for a while, contemplating my position.
The future of Portugal rested on my shoulders. However, I was a grandson of a king and was born prepared for such responsibilities. I often discreetly studied the map and charts the King had given me till I was able to visualize them in my head in complete detail. I read Toscanelli's essays, Marco Polo's writings and other works by honorable people such as Pope Pius II and Pierre d'Ailly. Toscanelli's interpretation of Marco Polo's writing indicated China and the island of Japan were close to the west of Europe. But I knew from my experience that any self-respecting navigator in the Portuguese court would have known this to be impossible. Additionally, did Marco Polo ever sail the Atlantic Ocean? Did Toscanelli ever attempt to discover India for himself? No, they did not. To me it seemed like the Italians were attempting to intentionally misdirect Portugal's efforts to the west.
Their spice trade with the Muslims brought them great riches. Surely their near-monopoly would disappear should Portugal reach India by sea! My King was too smart to be thrown off by Toscanelli's ideas, but figured out how to use these, with a little help from Colombo, to misdirect his enemies. Years ago I saw the land to the west with my own eyes. Its coasts were wild and unpopulated and its seas gave no clue of the great trade and commerce of the Orient. It was not India. But in order to develop an enthusiastic attitude toward my plan, I felt I had to encourage the curiosity within me and guide it toward the west in some way. And one evening, stooped over maps dimly lit with candlelight, I found the way.
If it was not India, what was this land? The nameless golden beaches and the uncharted coasts fascinated my attention. A new land was ahead and I was destined to explore it. Instinctively, I had shared my newly developed plan with Filipa, explaining Toscanelli's theory to her in great detail. She loved listening and was an excellent audience. But my Filipa was also a curious woman. She would ask questions and pose arguments in an attempt to disprove the theory, and I would reply in its defense. Thus, our late night "arguments" were the perfect practice for my presentation to the King. Soon I found that the desire to head an expedition into the unknown was truly growing roots in my heart. Why not explore the land beyond the Atlantic?
And so, in late 1484, I presented my theory to the King and his advisors with such great eloquence and confidence that even the King raised an eyebrow at my zeal. My performance became more than an act and I spoke what I really felt inside. But I made sure I looked straight into my King's eyes and that was all I needed to do to rest his mind to rest. He and only he could tell that I was still following his orders. King Joao II dismissed my plan with the excuse that none of his advisors saw any possibility of success in my venture, but not without a discreet smile denoting his pleasure at my well-executed part. I returned home in low spirits. My plan was turned down but I was prepared for that. The move to Spain was not as easy to adjust to. I told Filipa what had happened and she consoled me with great sympathy. There are other ways and means of achieving your dream, she whispered softly. She expressed her confidence in me and said she thought my theory was correct. It was her way of telling me to do what I had to do.
A few weeks later I informed Filipa of my intentions to move to Spain and attempt to convince the Spanish monarchs to support my plan. Her first reaction was anger. Why Spain? Didn't I see what would happen if Spain got to India before Portugal? I begged her to not question my loyalty to my country. She was no fool and after intense meditation she had formed her own idea about my mission. Oh, how I wanted to explain everything to her. But that would betray my King. She eventually conceded and said she would keep her promise to follow me wherever I went. The relief I felt was surprising. I hadn't realized how much I needed her. That night we held on to each other in a way we never had before.
The following weeks were spent in preparation for our move to Spain. Many things had to be taken care of. I was in high-spirits, feeling the Lord was on my side. So far everything went according to plan. Little did I know how soon the gray doom clouds would hang over my head. One evening I returned home to find a nurse at the house. Filipa was in bed in high fever. She had caught the plague! My kind neighbor offered me a room temporarily. I was prohibited from seeing Filipa while she was ill. And it wasn't long before the hopes of her recovery were shattered and I found myself kissing her hand as she took her last breath. I was devastated by her death and the following days passed by in sordid desperation.
Living without Filipa seemed impossible. The only thing that kept me alive was my promise to the King. I had to carry on, I told myself repeatedly. In her memory, I swore to never shave my beard again and to this day I have followed my vow. The anonymous letter that arrived with words of consolation was in the King's personal handwriting, and that helped me somewhat to recover. It was nearly 1485 before I finally regained enough courage and determination to make my way to Spain. Leaving my young son in the care of Filipa's sister, my journey to Spain was relatively easy as I was alone. My services were accepted at one of the noble houses in Spain, where I assisted in different ways the management of the house, all the time promoting my interest in the western voyage to India and Cipango.
I became acquainted with a nobleman from Seville who shared my views about the west and using his name made it possible for me to lay my plan before the Crown of Spain. I was ushered into the spacious hall in their great palace where the King and Queen sat on their impressive thrones. The splendid decorations and impressive furniture gave the room an aura of richness and grandeur, while the bare stone walls and the simple curtains added a touch of practicality, a characteristic not lacking in the two rulers. Beside the powerful Spanish rulers stood their most trusted advisor and behind the three were two heavily armed royal guards.
I talked for an hour perhaps, explaining my theory using the best of my persuasive skills. Keeping my mind focused on the fact that there was land across the Atlantic, India or otherwise, I was able to relay it with such conviction that I even surprised myself. The Rulers of Castile expressed their doubts about the accuracy of my plans, but in light of my five years of experience under Portuguese captains and navigators, did not dismiss me at once. They asked their advisor to research my plan in detail and propose his recommendations once that was done. With the help of my noble ally from Seville, I had managed to convince the advisor to the Crown of the merits of my plan and he promised he would do his best to assist me once the crusade in the south was over.
The Spanish began their crusade against the remaining Muslims in the south of Spain some time before and were occupied with the war for several years. The Portuguese, temporarily undisturbed by Spanish poachers, continued their explorations vigorously, and in December 1488, Bartolomeu Dias rounded the African Cape of Good Hope under King Jopo's flag. King Jopo summoned me to his court again under the pretext that he desired me to submit my plans to him again. But in actual fact, it was designed to receive information on my progress. Due to the presence of his advisors and guards, I mentioned to him casually of what I had been doing since our last conference and hinted at the fact that the Spanish were showing interest in my plan. The King then pretended to become occupied with Dias' recent discovery of Cape of Good Hope and dismissed me again. I could see from his expression that he was satisfied with my accomplishments so far.
With the successful conquest of Granada from the Muslims came the opportunity of addressing the King and Queen again. Their advisor favored my proposal as he had promised and the Crown, anxious to catch up with Portugal and ready to invest in maritime explorations, agreed to finance my venture. In August 1492, the moment I had been waiting for arrived. The three ships under my command were ready to sail off to the west. The departure ceremony was grand and joyous. The King and Queen arrived with their court, the royal family and the nobles. Several Church leaders attended and gave their blessings. Sailors gave a last kiss to their wives before the voyage. Young apprentices said goodbye to their parents.
The port was crowded with commoners and merchants alike and the excitement was inspiring. Soon, I told myself as the massive ships started on their way, we will be sailing into the unknown, coasting along unexplored territory and expanding the Faith to the numerous heathens who inhabit it. The rest is covered in my diary in great detail. On October 12th, 1492, one of the sailors pointed out land. My voyage was considered a success back in Spain and I headed three additional voyages during the following decade. News reached my ears that in the meantime Vasco de Gama of Portugal had reached India by sea. I had accomplished the mission my King had entrusted me with. Having successfully side-tracked Spain to the west, securing Portugal's undisturbed route to India, I retired to Valladolid.
And now, I am bed-ridden and my days are numbered. I have written my story and have entrusted it to my confessor to keep. Knowing that I had carried out my King's will and have given unselfish service to my country, Portugal, I am now prepared to depart.