João Fernandes Lavrador

João Fernandes, João Fernandes also Lavrador ( bl. 1486-1506 ) was a Portuguese navigator and explorer. On him probably the name of the Labrador peninsula on the east coast of Canada is declining.

Life

Little is known about the life of Fernandes. In the port records of Bristol from 1486 the Portuguese traders " ffornandus and Gunsalu " are mentioned, and in 1493 a " John ffornandus ".

Towards the end of the 15th century Fernandes Lavrador was ( Portuguese " landowners " ) on the Azores Terceira. 1497 he took part in the expedition probably under Giovanni Caboto before the North American coast. A document from 1541, according to it after the return of King Henry VII on the east coast of present-day Canada have reported to why this part of the newly discovered area got its name. Also on several maps of the 16th century this name origin - from a Portuguese Lavrador of the Azores - confirmed.

In October 1499 he was awarded by the Portuguese King Manuel I. an order for the discovery and exploration of new countries. 1501, the English king a group of English and Portuguese traders, including Fernandes and João Gonsales also authorize the discovery of new areas of. In December 1502 Henry VII renewed this charter, however, concluded Fernandes is explicitly made ​​; probably be Fernandes was now back in the service of the Portuguese crown. Most recently, he is mentioned in 1506 in a petition to the King of Portugal.

Source

• A. Davies: Fernandes, João. From: Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Volume 1, University of Toronto / Université Laval, 2003 ( online)

• Man
• Seafarer
• Portuguese
• Born in the 15th century
• Died in the 16th century