Thomas Alcock (adventurer) facts for kids
Thomas Alcock was an English explorer and adventurer who lived in the 1500s. He worked for a trading group called the Muscovy Company from 1558 until he died in 1563. This company was very important for England's trade with Russia and other parts of Asia. Alcock made two big journeys for the company, exploring new routes and trying to set up trade.
Thomas Alcock's First Journey
In 1558, Thomas Alcock started his first long trip for the Muscovy Company. He traveled by land from Moscow, which is in Russia, to Smolensk. From there, he continued through Poland, heading towards a city called Danzig (now Gdańsk).
However, his journey was stopped. He was prevented from going further than a place called Tirwill, which was likely Turovli near the Daugava River. Here, he was put in prison for over a month. He was held in chains for 36 days!
Why was he imprisoned? It seems that other traders and officials from cities like Danzig, Lübeck, and Hamburg didn't want the English trading in their areas. They convinced the king of Poland to stop all English trade passing through his lands to Muscovy. Alcock was eventually allowed to return to England, but he lost all the money and goods the company had given him. It was a warning to the English traders.
Alcock's Second and Final Journey
Thomas Alcock's second and last journey for the Muscovy Company happened in 1563. This time, he started from Jaroslav in Russia. He sailed down the mighty Volga River all the way to Astrakhan.
After that, he traveled along the western coast of the Caspian Sea. He then went to Shamakha in the Caucasus region. From Shamakha, he traveled by land to a city called Kasbin in Persia (modern-day Iran).
A Tragic End
On his way back from Persia, Thomas Alcock was sadly killed. This happened at a place called Levvacta, which was about a day and a half's journey from Shamakha. One story says he was killed by a nobleman from the king of Hyrcania's court. Alcock had been very firm in trying to get money that was owed to him. Another story says he was attacked and killed by robbers while riding alone.
Thomas Alcock was a very important explorer. He was the second Englishman to sail across the Caspian Sea into Persia. The first was Anthony Jenkinson, who made that journey in 1561. The story of Alcock's last voyage was written down by his travel companion, Richard Chenie.
