Hey, this is Heather from the Renaissance English History Podcast, and this is your Tudor Minute for January 4.
Today in 1493 Christopher Columbus left the new islands he had stumbled upon in the Caribbean to return back to Spain. He had left Spain in August 1492 attempting to find an all water route to Asia. Instead, he landed in San Salvador. He spent several months exploring the area around present day Haiti. He left some of his men to start a settlement, kidnapped natives to take back to Spain, brought back gold, plants, and native birds.
When he returned home in March he wrote a letter to Ferdinand and Isabella announcing his discovery, and this was the first time Europe would hear about the American continent. He wrote, “I discovered many islands inhabited by numerous people. I took possession of all of them for our most fortunate King by making public proclamation and unfurling his standard, no one making any resistance.”
That’s your Tudor Minute for today. Remember you can dive deeper into life in 16th century England through the Renaissance English History Podcast at englandcast.com where there is an episode on Elizabethan exploration and discovery.