At the start of the 16th century Spain and Portugal were in fierce competition to find the best route to the Spice Islands and to explore the New World. Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese sailor who tried many times to get the Portuguese king to sanction a voyage for him to sail west. After many refusals Magellan emigrated to Spain where he asked for and received permission from the King of Spain to put together a voyage with five vessels. The Portuguese were not happy and at first tried to persuade him not to sail under the Spanish flag and when that did not work they tried to sabotage his trip. Most of Magellan’s crew were either Portuguese or Spanish but there were members from almost every major European country in his crew. The fact that Magellan was Portuguese flying under the Spanish flag made things very difficult for Magellan who was constantly under watch from the other Spanish officers.

(Book – Over the Edge of the World:Magellan’s Terrifying Circumnavigation of the World – Laurence Bergreen)