João Fernandes Lavrador
Encyclopedia
João Fernandes Lavrador (ʒuˈɐ̃w̃ fɨɾˈnɐ̃ðɨʃ lɐvɾɐˈðoɾ) (not to be confused with earlier João Fernandes
) was a Portuguese
explorer of the late 15th century. He was the first modern explorer in the coasts of the Northeast of Northern America
, including the Labrador peninsula
, which bears his name.
in 1498 given him the right to explore that part of the Atlantic Ocean as set out in the Treaty of Tordesillas
.
Fernandes, together with Pêro de Barcelos
, first sighted what is now known as Labrador in 1498. Fernandes charted also the coasts of Southwestern Greenland
and of adjacent Northeastern North America
around 1498 and gave notice of them in Europe. The areas are believed to have been named island of the Labrador and land of the Labrador (modern-day Labrador
), respectively, after him. His landowner status allowed him to use the title lavrador "landholder" (lɐvɾɐˈðoɾ).
On early sixteenth maps a landmass west of Greenland bears the title Terra Laurador, and Terra Laboratoris. Upon his return from Greenland he sailed to Bristol and received a patent from King Henry VII and in 1501 Fernandes set sail again in discovery of lands in the name of England. He was never heard from again.
Fernandes was granted title to much of the lands he had discovered and is considered the first European landowner in Labrador.
João Fernandes
João Fernandes was a Portuguese explorer of the 15th century. He was perhaps the earliest of modern explorers in the upland of West Africa, and a pioneer of the European slave- and gold-trade of Guinea.We first hear of him as a captive of the Barbary Moors in the western Mediterranean; while...
) was a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
explorer of the late 15th century. He was the first modern explorer in the coasts of the Northeast of Northern America
Northern America
Northern America is the northernmost region of the Americas, and is part of the North American continent. It lies directly north of the region of Middle America; the land border between the two regions coincides with the border between the United States and Mexico...
, including the Labrador peninsula
Labrador Peninsula
The Labrador Peninsula is a large peninsula in eastern Canada. It is bounded by the Hudson Bay to the west, the Hudson Strait to the north, the Labrador Sea to the east, and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the south-east...
, which bears his name.
Expeditions
Fernandes was granted a patent by King Manuel IManuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
in 1498 given him the right to explore that part of the Atlantic Ocean as set out in the Treaty of Tordesillas
Treaty of Tordesillas
The Treaty of Tordesillas , signed at Tordesillas , , divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal along a meridian 370 leagueswest of the Cape Verde islands...
.
Fernandes, together with Pêro de Barcelos
Pêro de Barcelos
Pêro de Barcelos , sometimes Pedro de Barcelos, was a Portuguese explorer of North America, whom, together with João Fernandes Lavrador, was the first to sight the Coast of Labrador in 1499....
, first sighted what is now known as Labrador in 1498. Fernandes charted also the coasts of Southwestern Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
and of adjacent Northeastern North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
around 1498 and gave notice of them in Europe. The areas are believed to have been named island of the Labrador and land of the Labrador (modern-day Labrador
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
), respectively, after him. His landowner status allowed him to use the title lavrador "landholder" (lɐvɾɐˈðoɾ).
On early sixteenth maps a landmass west of Greenland bears the title Terra Laurador, and Terra Laboratoris. Upon his return from Greenland he sailed to Bristol and received a patent from King Henry VII and in 1501 Fernandes set sail again in discovery of lands in the name of England. He was never heard from again.
Fernandes was granted title to much of the lands he had discovered and is considered the first European landowner in Labrador.