The Chronicle of the Discovery and Conquest of Guinea
Written by Portuguese chronicler Gomes Eanes de Zurara covering 1434-1448, this treatise tells the story of the exhibition led by Prince Henry the Navigator in west Africa. Although Zurara shows himself to be learned and entertaining, he turns Henry into something of a romance hero.
Given Zurara's esteemed place in Portuguese letters, his account became an authoritative overview of the area (and of the character of Henry). By 1567, however, Damião de Góis declared the manuscript lost. It was not until 1839 that another copy emerged. The frontispiece that decorated this copy has provided the template for all subsequent portraits of Henry.
Chapter Sixteen tells of Antam Gonçalvez and his unsuccessful mission, ordered by Henry, to obtain information on Prester John and his territory.
Read the Chronicle Online: Part One (chapters I-XL) // Part Two (chapters XLI-XCVII)