Nicolau Coelho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicolau Coelho
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| Born | c. 1460 Felgueiras, Kingdom of Portugal
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| Died | 1502 Off the coast of Mozambique
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| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Occupation | Explorer, navigator |
Nicolau Coelho (born around 1460 in Felgueiras, Portugal; died 1502 off the coast of Mozambique) was a skilled Portuguese navigator and explorer. He lived during the Age of Discovery, a time when European explorers sailed to many new places around the world.
Coelho was an important part of two major voyages. He helped Vasco da Gama find a sea route to India, commanding the ship Berrio, which was the first to return home. He also captained a ship in the fleet led by Pedro Álvares Cabral, which famously landed in Brazil. Nicolau Coelho died at sea while returning from India.
Contents
A Life of Exploration
Nicolau Coelho was born around 1460 in Felgueiras, a town in northern Portugal. His parents were Pedro Coelho and either Luísa de Góis or Inês de Ataíde. He married Brites Rodrigues de Brito before 1495 and had five children: Nicolau, Francisco, Joana, Jorge, and Leonor.
First Voyage to India (1497-1499)
Nicolau Coelho was one of the main captains who joined Vasco da Gama on a historic journey to find a sea route to India. This voyage began on July 8, 1497. Coelho was the captain of the Berrio, a type of small, fast sailing ship called a caravel. His navigator on this trip was Pêro Escobar.
Coelho was the first of Gama's captains to reach Mozambique. There, he made contact with the sultan of Quiloa. He was also the first captain from Gama's fleet to arrive back in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 10, 1499. For his achievements, King Manuel I of Portugal gave him a yearly payment of 50,000 reis (an old Portuguese currency). He also received 30,000 reis in interest for his lands and for his family, along with a new coat of arms (a special family symbol). In the same year, he was given the title of Knight of the Royal House (Cavaleiro da Casa Real).
Voyage to Brazil and India (1500-1501)
On March 9, 1500, Nicolau Coelho joined Pedro Álvares Cabral on another important voyage. He was one of the captains in a fleet of 13 ships that set out to explore. This fleet famously landed in Brazil, which was a major discovery.
After exploring Brazil, the fleet continued their journey east on May 3, 1500. They faced a terrible storm near the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, losing four ships. The remaining ships continued, stopping in places that are now Mozambique, Kenya, and Tanzania. Finally, they reached Calicut in India on September 13, 1500. The fleet returned to Lisbon on June 23, 1501, with only four of the original 13 ships.
Final Journey and Death (1503-1504)
Nicolau Coelho left Portugal for a third time on April 14, 1503. He was the captain of a ship named "Faial" and was part of a fleet led by Afonso de Albuquerque. Sadly, Coelho died while returning home to Portugal in January 1504. He passed away near the shallow waters of São Lázaro, which are now known as the Quirimbas Islands in Mozambique. He died alongside Francisco de Albuquerque, who was Afonso's cousin.
See also
In Spanish: Nicolau Coelho para niños
