The Canarien
Le Canarien, ou Livre de la conqueste et conversion faicte des Canariens á la foy et Religion catholique apostolique et Romaine (1406)
Written by Pierre Bontier and finished by Jean le Verrier, Le Canarien records the journey of Jean de Béthencourt to the Canary Islands from 1402-1405. Béthencourt undertook the journey on behalf of the French crown; however, due to an increased reliance on Castilian instruments and support, the campaign eventually shifted their allegiance to the Spanish crown.
As described in Le Canerien, the expedition included plans to visit the western coast of Africa in order to locate the famed "River of Gold" and visit the kingdom of Prester John. Despite the crew's failures in these regards, subsequent expeditions (1420s) commissioned by Henry the Navigator outlined similar goals.
Read an English translation.
Written by Pierre Bontier and finished by Jean le Verrier, Le Canarien records the journey of Jean de Béthencourt to the Canary Islands from 1402-1405. Béthencourt undertook the journey on behalf of the French crown; however, due to an increased reliance on Castilian instruments and support, the campaign eventually shifted their allegiance to the Spanish crown.
As described in Le Canerien, the expedition included plans to visit the western coast of Africa in order to locate the famed "River of Gold" and visit the kingdom of Prester John. Despite the crew's failures in these regards, subsequent expeditions (1420s) commissioned by Henry the Navigator outlined similar goals.
Read an English translation.