15 Facts About Francisco Barreto

Francisco Barreto was a Portuguese soldier and explorer.

An officer in Morocco during his early life, Barreto sailed to Portuguese India and was eventually appointed viceroy of the colony.

Francisco Barreto died in what is Mozambique, having never reached the mines.

Francisco Barreto was born in Faro, Portugal, in 1520, to Rui Francisco Barreto and Branca de Vilhena.

Francisco Barreto received military training in Morocco, and eventually served in Azemmour, near Casablanca.

Francisco Barreto later ordered Camoes exiled to Macau for his satirical Disparates da India, which criticized Portuguese life in India.

Mascarenhas died shortly after sending soldiers to aid in the usurper's takeover, and Francisco Barreto continued Portuguese support of the usurper until his capture.

In 1557, Francisco Barreto clashed with Khan's army at Ponda and was victorious.

Francisco Barreto involved in negotiations for a peaceful acquisition of Daman, but they failed.

Francisco Barreto was more successful in defeating the Rajah of Calicut and in preparing a huge fleet to be sent against the Aceh sultanate.

Francisco Barreto returned to Goa on a different boat, almost dying of thirst on the trip.

Francisco Barreto was very well received by Queen Catherine of Austria, the regent of Portugal in those days.

Portugal supplied and Francisco Barreto commanded a fleet consisting of a galleon and eight caravels alongside Spaniard Garcia de Toledo, and the combined navy took over the island's fort in two days.

Francisco Barreto sent an envoy to the Emperor of Monomotapa with a request for permission to attack a people called the Mongas, whose territory lay between the Portuguese and the mines.

At this point many of the men were sick with tropical diseases, and Francisco Barreto too fell ill.