Magellan's King -- 1519

The young Charles V -  circa 1515 by Bernard van Orley.

Modern readers might immediately notice the outrageous hairstyle and, of course, the famous Hapsburg jaw. He had two different names or designations in the two vast dominions he inherited and ruled. From his father, Philip "the Handsome" of Hapsburg, he inherited the German territories, the Low Countries, and Flanders (modern-day Netherlands and Belgium). From his mother, the Spanish Infanta (Princess) Juana "La Loca" (the Mad), he inherited the kingdoms of Spain. Indeed, the best of European worlds. Proof that good looks and madness are a potent mix? Ahh, if not for the chin!

To the Germanic states, he was "Karl der Fünfte" or Karl V, "Kaiser des Heiligen Römischen Reiches Deutscher Nation" (Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation). To the Spanish kingdoms, he was simply Carlos I (Carlos Primero). Yes, also the namesake of the famous Brandy de Jerez.

Carlos I was the newly crowned monarch of Spain when Magellan presented his proposals to the Spanish court. The Emperor was a mere 18-year-old, viewed as a "foreigner" in the country of his mother, not even speaking the Castilian tongue. He had to rely heavily on his group of advisers, some of whom were also seen as outsiders: Italians, Flemings, and Germans.

The concept of one kingdom, a universal one under God, appealed to him. To seek out and expand the empire for glory and above all for God (or gold). The motto "Non-Plus Ultra" became "Plus Ultra"—further beyond.

Magellan secured the commission and the financial support of the Emperor to sail westward in search of the Spice Islands (Indonesia), where the unimaginable riches of the spice trade were centered. Indeed, somewhat of a paradox: an armada of five rickety Spanish galleys, whose mission was led by a Portuguese, approved by a Germanic emperor, chronicled by an Italian, and once in the territories of the South Seas, used a Malay slave as an interpreter.

One historian described Charles V as "the man who grew older in such a seemingly short time." Perhaps due to the events and upheavals that marked his rule: Luther and the Reformation, the religious wars that followed, and the many turmoils in his other dominions. The empire was not after all for God, nor glory, or even gold. It was almost bankrupt when he abdicated.

And the Spice Islands? Spain was left out. Portugal and, quite interestingly, the Dutch were the ones who later contested for control of the much-desired trade.