Folio, (295 x 195 mm). [3 blanks], 4 ff., 107 ff., [blank], 3 ff., [blank], 75 ff., [blank], 4 ff., 138 ff., 4 ff., 114 ff. Nineteenth century calf, faux raised bands to spine, triple gilt fillet to boards, spine tooled and lettered in gilt, slightly rubbed, shelfwear. Title page and first few leaves with paper repairs along bottom gutter away from text, small hole to f. 9 in fourth part slightly affecting text, large paper repair to last leaf unaffecting text, foxing fairly consistent throughout and heavy at times, significant embrowning to a few leaves, some stray ink marks and underlining, occasional dampstain. Early ownership inscriptions to title page.

The Chronicle documents the early expansion and the transformative years of the Portuguese arrival in India, starting with Vasco de Gama’s voyage, the establishment of trading ports, etc. Goes also documents the shifts in Portuguese policy, as the transition from a trading enterprise to a territorial empire, a State of India, which features, for instance, the capture of key locations as Goa. Goes provides detailed accounts of the policies and actions of leaders like Albuquerque, who can be considered the usher of Portuguese power in India, his establishment of a permanent base at Goa, etc.

“Damiam de Goes was the keeper of the archives of the Torre do Tombo; and, according to some authorities, the principal state chronicler of Portugal. He was born at Alemquer, circa 1501, and entered the service of King Manuel at the age of nine, remaining at Court until the King's death in 1521. He afterwards travelled extensively in Europe, meeting various monarchs, from whom he received favours and distinctions; and on his return to Portugal, was commissioned by the Cardinal Dom Henrique, in 1558, to write the ‘Chronica’ of his father, the late King. Goes became the victim of envy and intrigue, however, and was persecuted by the Inquisition as a suspect in connection with a supposed previous adherence to the doctrines of Luther and other reformers, whom he had met in Germany some years before. His great ‘Chronica’ contains an important relation of an extraordinarily interesting and prosperous reign” (Maggs).

Provenance: Joao Marinho, engraved bookplate on front pastedown; Jose Mindlin, bookplate on front pastedown.

King Manuel 115; Rodrigues, 804; Anselmo, 491; Sabin 27686; Adams G 818; Borba de MoraesI, 353.

India contents:

First part:

Chapter xxxv: do q Vasquo da Gama passou em sua viaje, arte chegar a augoada de Sam Bras.

Chapter xxxvi: do que passou Vasquo da Gama atte chegar a Ilha de Mocambique.

Chapter xxxix: do q Vasquo da Gama fez depois q surgio, & do recado que mandou a el Rei de Calecut.

Chapter xl: do que Vasco da Gama passou atte chegar a Calecut.

Chapter xli: do modo q el rei de Calecut tene e receber Vasquo da Gama.

Chapter xlii: da crença, feita, cerimonias, costumes dos getios canaris, bramanas, & naires.

Chapter xliii: do q Vasco da Gama passou coe l rei d Calecut, há seguda vez q se com ele vio.

Chapter xliiii: do q Vasco da Gama passou em Anchediva (South of Goa, old portuguese nomenclature)

Chapter lxviii: do q ho Almirate do Vasquo da Gama passou há seuda vez q foi a India atte chegar a Cochim.

Chapter lxix: do q ho Almirate do Vasquo da Gama fez e cochim, & Calecut.

Chapter lxxiii: d quomo el rei de Calecut comencou de fazer guerra a Triupara Rei de Cochim.

Chapter Ixxvij: do q Afonfo dalbuquerque,& Françilco dalbuqrque palfaram em lua viajé atre chegarem a Cochim

Chapter Ixxvilj: de quomo eRei de Cochim deu liçença a Françi-Ico dalbuquerque, pera fazer hũa forcaleza.

Chapter.lxxx. de quomo le fezerá pa zes entre hos nossos, & el rei d Calecut que felogo quebraram

Chapter.lxxxj. da viaje Antonio de Faldanha Fez à India.

Chapter.lxxxv. de quomo se renovou há gueraa entre hos Reis de CaIecut & Cochim.

Chapter.lxxxvij: do segudo, & terceiro cobate q ho Camorii Rei d Calecut deu ahos nossos.

Chapter.lxxxviij. de quomo el Rei de Calecut passou ho rio de Re pelim.

Chapter.xxxix.de quomo el Rei de Calecuc em pessoa combateo ho passo do Vao.

Chapter. xc. das treicoes q el Rei de Calecut, ordenava pera matar hos nossos.

Chapter xcvi: de quomo el Rei mandou a India treze nãos, de que soi por capitão Lopo Soarez Dalvarenga.

Chapter xcvii: do q Lopo Soarez fez depois q chegou a Cochi.

Chapter xcix: do q Lopo Soarez fes depois da victoria que hovve em Cranganor.

Second part:

Chapter iiij. De quomo el Rei d Onor, & Timoja, & ho Alcaide de Çintacora madaram pedir paz a dom Francilco dalmeida, & do g fe fobriffo passou.

Chapter v. Do que loão homé fez a hüs Mouros de Calecut, que eftauão em Coulão, & de quomo dom Fráçifco chegou a Cananor, & fe chamou Viçerei.

Chapter vj. Em que se trattam algúâs cousas do Regno dé Narsinga (India).

Chapter vij. Do recebimento q fez ho Vicerei dom Françico aho embaixador dei Rei de Narfinga & de quomo hos Mouros de Coulam mattaráon ho feitor António de As, & hos Portuguefes quecortielle ele estavam.

Câpitu. víij. De quomo ho Vicerei dom Françisco dAlmeida inuestio el Rei de Cochim no Regno, em nome del Rei

Capitulo, xíj. De quomo dom Lourenço foi correr ha costa do Malabar, & de quomo íe desfez ha fortaleza Danchediva.

Capitulo; xiiijí De quomo el Rei mandou treze nãos a índia repartidas em quatro capitanias.

Capitu. XV. Dá causa porque se ázou ha guerra antre elRei de Cananor,& hos nossos.

Capitu. xvj. De quomo elRei de Cananor combateo ha fortaleza & foi desbaratado.