The Chronicle of the Discovery and Conquest of Guinea. Vol. I

This translation brings to life a 15th‑century Portuguese account of the early voyages along the Gulf of Guinea, written by the chronicler Gomes Eannes de Azurara. Framed by a scholarly introduction, the narrative follows Prince Henry, the Navigator, as he assembles daring expeditions to chart unknown coasts, confront fierce currents, and negotiate with distant peoples. Listeners will hear the excitement of sailors setting out beyond familiar waters, guided by ambition and the promise of gold.

The volume also includes vivid reproductions of contemporary maps that reveal how medieval cartographers imagined Africa’s shape long before modern surveys. Detailed descriptions of the first encounters with the Guinea shoreline, the perils of Cape Bojador, and the cultural impressions recorded by the explorers create a rich tapestry of early Atlantic exploration. The careful notes and historical context added by the translators help modern ears grasp the significance of these pioneering journeys without giving away later developments.