"Enterprise of the Indies"

 

Early agreements between King Ferdinand, Queen Isabel and Christopher Columbus do not discuss the importance of religion to the task of exploration. "Spreading the gospel would come later… [This was a] commercial enterprise." [1] However, later documentation shows that indeed, religion played a part in the service Spanish explorers performed for Spanish monarchs. Ferdinand and Isabel agreed to pay the cost of the expedition that was envisioned to bring them the riches of the Orient. If Columbus were successful these riches would allow the monarchs the wealth needed for "trade and empire." [2] In return Columbus was given two titles which effectively made him nobility, and a chance to explore. This made him a representative of Spain, therefore all land he discovered would become Spanish territory. In addition, Columbus was allowed to invest in some of the costs of the voyage, which would then give him a share of the profits. During this time, Ferdinand and Isabel were making great strides in unifying Spain. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that the expedition could be seen as an attempt at "state building."[3] Also, at this time they were seeking to unify Spain religiously as Catholic, and so began the persecution of Jews and Muslims. In the "medieval Spanish crusading tradition" or Reconquista,[4] Columbus’s expedition plays an important role. As the monarchy expanded their role and reinforced their role as Catholic, it stands to reason any new lands that they claimed for their own, and therefore any peoples living on those lands, would be expected to convert to Catholicism. It was noted by his contemporaries[5] that Columbus was indeed a devout Catholic.[6] Given this fact about Columbus, it is no great surprise that he requested Queen Isabel use any riches he found in her name, to help reclaim the holy land and Jerusalem. A vow, she did indeed make.[7] After his third voyage to what was thought of as the Indies, Columbus reinforced his religious vision in a letter to Ferdinand and Isabel. In this document he outlined the ways in which he felt the Lord "favored"[8] his life and choices. Columbus outlined his arguments for the spreading of Catholicism and reminded the monarchs, of how important he felt reclaiming Jerusalem was. Therefore, although not always explicit, the importance of religion for the purposes of exploration is certainly implied in much of the documentation regarding Christopher Columbus and his expeditions.

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[1] Geoffrey Symcox and Blair Sullivan, Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins 2005), 13-14.

[2] Ibid. 13.

[3] Ibid. 11.

[4] Ibid. 11.

[5] Gonzalo Fernandez De Oviedo, “On Columbus as “First Discoverer” 1535-ca 1549. (Jesus Carrillo, ed., and Diane Avalle-Arce, trans., Oviedo on Columbus, Repertorium Columbianum 9 (Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 2000), 40, 90.) ed Geoffrey Symcox and Blair Sullivan, Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins 2005), 57.

[6]Bartolome De Las Casas, “On Columbus’s Appearance, Education and Character”. Ca. 1527-1563. (Nigel Griffin, ed and trans.,intro. Anthony Pagden, Las Casas on Columbus: Background and the Second and Fourth Voyages, Repertorium Columbianum 7 (Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 1999), 25-28.)Ed Sullivan, Blair, Symcox, Geoffrey, Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins 2005), 47.

[7] Ibid. 48.

[8] Christopher Columbus to Fernando and Isabel, undated 1500-1502. (Roberto Rusconi, ed and Blair Sullivan, trans., The ‘Book of Prophesies’ Edited by Christopher Columbus, Repertorium Columbianum 3 (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1997), 67-77.) ed Geoffrey Symcox and Blair Sullivan, Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins 2005), 51-55.