An artist's representation of Magellan's ships the Conception,
the Victoria, and the Trinidad
the Victoria, and the Trinidad
- Magellan was born in Sabrosa, Portugal in 1480.
- He tried to get support for his expedition around the world from his home country Portugal, but was refused and went to the Spaniards for funding.
- He was not only trying to circumnavigate the globe, but was looking for a secret route to the Portuguese controlled Spice Islands.
- He would have made it there, if he didn't stop on Cebu island in the Philippines.
- There he joined a tribal war and stupidly led only 60 of the un-battle trained sailors against an entire tribe of warriors.
- During the battle, Magellan was shot in the leg with a poisoned arrow which crippled him, allowing Native chief, Lapu Lapu, and others to cut him into little pieces.
- Because Magellan didn't survive the voyage in one piece (or even 100 pieces!) he technically was not the first man to travel around the world.
- That title goes to either his slave, Enrique (who was born in the Philippines and returned there during their stop on Cebu island) or his first mate Elcano who was the the current captain when the Victoria returned to Spain.