Magellan's King -- 1519

The young Charles V ca 1515 by  Bernard van Orley.

Moderns might notice right away the outrageous hairstyle and, of course, the famous Hapsburg jaw. He had two different names or say designations in the two vast dominions he inherited and ruled. From his father, who was called Philip "the Handsome" of Hapsburg, he got the German territories, the Low Countries, and Flanders (Netherlands-Belgium). From his mother, the Spanish Infanta (Princess), also known as 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). And to the Spanish kingdoms, he was simply Carlos I (Carlos Primero). Yes, also the famous Brandy de Jerez..wow!!

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 kid, 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 search and seek out for the empire: Glory and above all for God (.. or gold ). The "Non-Plus Ultra".....becoming "Plus Ultra"..further beyond.

Magellan bagged the commission and the financial support of the Emperor to sail westward in search of the Spice Islands. (Indonesia) -- where the unimaginable riches of spices trade were centered. Indeed, somewhat of a paradox: An armada of 5 rickety Spanish galleys, whose mission was drawn out 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.

There was one historian who described Charles V -- "The man who grew older, in such a seemingly short time." Perhaps owing it to the events and upheavals that came during his rule: Luther and the Reformation, the religious wars after it and the many turmoils in his other dominions, etc. The empire was not after all of 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 the control of the much-desired trade.