Cornelis de Houtman’s abrasive temperament leads to…
September 1599 CE
Cornelis de Houtman’s abrasive temperament leads to conflict during his second expedition to Aceh, culminating in a violent confrontation on September 11, 1599.
Fierce battles soon erupt between Dutch forces and the Acehnese navy, commanded by the formidable Admiral Keumalahayati (Malahayati), one of history’s earliest known female admirals. In one of these engagements, Malahayati personally kills de Houtman, dealing a significant blow to the Dutch expedition.
News of the confrontation reaches Elizabeth I of England, prompting her to dispatch an emissary to the Sultan of Aceh, seeking permission for English ships to navigate the Strait of Malacca.
Meanwhile, Cornelis’s brother, Frederick de Houtman, is captured and imprisoned in northern Sumatra. During his two-year captivity, he makes productive use of his time by studying the Malay language and conducting astronomical observations.
After his release and return to Holland in 1603, Frederick publishes his stellar observations as an appendix to his Malay and Malagasy dictionary and grammar, Spraeck ende woordboeck inde Maleysche ende Madagaskarsche talen.