A Portuguese fleet of twenty ships commanded…
1476 CE
A Portuguese fleet of twenty ships commanded by Fernão Gomes sets sail towards Guinea in 1476 to attempt to regain control there.
The Kings of Castile order the preparation of a fleet to apprehend the Portuguese and appoint Carlos de Valera to command.
He has numerous problems preparing the expedition, because he is opposed by the Marquis of Cadiz, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, and the Estuñiga family.
The preparations are also delayed by a naval battle that takes place when the Castilians find out that one or two Portuguese ships with a rich cargo had left the Mediterranean to return to Portugal under the escort of the pirate Alvar Méndez.
A fleet of five galleys and five caravels captained by Carlos de Valera and Andrés Sonier intercepts them in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and are victorious after a hard-fought battle.