The return of Martim Afonso de Sousa to Portugal A brief account of Martim Afonso’s return to Portugal after completing his work in São Vicente, covering royal decisions and appointments, as well as the journey back. 1. Context in São Vicente Martim Afonso continued his colonising work in São Vicente. […]
Tag: Martim Afonso de Sousa
Martim Afonso’s voyage to Brazil — Return of Pero Lopes
Martim Afonso’s voyage to Brazil (1530–1532) and Pero Lopes’ return to Portugal. The expedition led by Martim Afonso de Sousa to Brazil (1530–1532) marked the beginning of regular Portuguese colonisation. This involved reconnaissance missions, the occupation of the land and the exploitation of brazilwood, as well as the administrative organisation […]
Martim Afonso’s voyage to Brazil (1530–1532) — main achievements
Martim Afonso de Sousa’s voyage to Brazil was a maritime expedition involving military, exploratory and colonising activities along the coast of Brazil and the River Plate. Between December 1530 and January 1532, the fleet sailed around the Atlantic islands, fought privateers, made contact with indigenous peoples (including a reunion with […]
The Martim Afonso de Sousa Expedition
The expedition of Martim Afonso de Sousa: towards the colonisation of Brazil. Martim Afonso de Sousa came from one of the most notable families in Portugal. He was a descendant of Dom Afonso III through illegitimacy — meaning he had a blood tie to the royal family through an ancestor […]
Martim Afonso de Sousa’s colonising mission
The colonising expedition led by Martim Afonso de Sousa and sent by the King of Portugal in 1530 was the first official attempt at permanently occupying the territory that would become Brazil. The expedition comprised ships, soldiers, settlers and technicians. Its objectives were to combat French trading posts, explore the […]















