When signing up for this class, I immediately thought of "In 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue...." So I felt it appropriate to make my first blog about the no one other than Christopher Columbus, himself. As five decades have passed, Columbus still remains the greatest mariners to date and a man of mystery. Columbus's dream of finding a westward route to Asia, begin with his life long career as a mariner. It was not until he moved to Spain did he find someone who would help pay for his voyage. He gained the support of Isabel and Fernando, who at the time were Catholic monarchs. The King and Queen told Columbus if he was to successfully return he would be knighted, appointed Admiral of the Ocean Sea, made the viceroy of any new lands, and awarded ten percent of any new wealth.
According to the blazon specified in letters patent dated May 20, 1493, Columbus was to bear in the first and the second quarters the royal charges of Castile and Leon -- the castle and the lion -- but with different tinctures or colors. (Herring, Hubert. A History of Latin America From the Beginnings to the Present.. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962)
The earliest graphic representation of Columbus's arms is found in his Book of Privileges. This is 
a record of all the privileges he received between 1492 and 1502. He gathered several judges and notaries in his hometown of Seville to have them authorize copies of his archival collection of original documents through which Isabel and Fernando had granted titles, revenues, powers and privileges to Columbus and his descendants.
Four copies of his "Book" existed in 1502, three written on vellum and one on paper. The Library's copy, one of the three on vellum, has a unique paper copy of the Papal Bull Dudum siquidem of September 26, 1493, which extended the Spanish claim for future explorations.( Columbus, Christopher. Códice Diplomático Columbo-Americano. Seville: Vellum, 1502.) This book is escorted by a police escort at all times.
It is interesting that the Book of Privileges is escorted by the police! I did not know that he was promised to be granted a knight, made Admiral of the Ocean Sea, and awarded ten percent of the wealth of the land. He led the way for European colonization of the new world later. I also did not know that he was part of the Leon and Castille's royal charges.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I like the fact that you moved away from what we're talking about in class and moved all the way to almost 1500 :)
ReplyDeleteNow putting that aside, I always found it interesting that no one would support his voyage except Spain. Either everyone thought he was crazy (which they did), or he didn't give a strong enough speech for support. Then when he spoke to the Spainairds he stepped up his game and promised them a lot of, for lack of a better word, "loot."
I also agree with Kristin, a police escort for a book! Now that is amazing!