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The Luso–Danish expedition to North America or the Pining expedition was commissioned by King Christian I of Denmark at the request of the King Afonso V of Portugal. The expedition's goal was to explore new lands in the north, which led to the rediscovery of Newfoundland.

Background

King Afonso V of Portugal entered into an agreement with King Christian I of Denmark for a joint expedition to the west. Although the Danes were less advanced in nautical science compared to the Portuguese, their Viking ancestors had already reached Greenland, making such a venture possible. The Danes' proximity to Greenland, via the Shetland and Faroe Islands, and their knowledge of the Arctic Circle, set the stage for a significant exploration.

Expedition

First theory

According to Barreto in his book "The Portuguese Columbus: Secret Agent of King John II", the expedition took place around 1477, the Luso–Danish expedition set sail, combining Portuguese expertise in navigation and Danish geographical knowledge. It is believed that this expedition explored parts of the North Atlantic, likely reaching Labrador and Newfoundland. Though no definitive records exist, the expedition is thought to have followed a course from Greenland, moving southward towards North America. The Portuguese navigators, using the improved cosmography of the time, mapped parts of the northern coast of the continent.

Second theory

According to Davies in his book "Prince Madoc and the Discovery of America in 1477", Oleson had claimed that the expedition took place in 1475, with the Greenlanders being transported to the rich hunting grounds of the Hudson Strait. Supplies, including iron tools, weapons, and food, were brought on ships, and makeshift huts were quickly constructed. Two winters of hunting were planned, with ships returning each summer to deliver fresh supplies. However, disaster struck when a supply ship, possibly in 1476, may have struck an iceberg, sinking and preventing further supplies from reaching the hunters. By 1477, John Scolvus arrived to find the settlers dead from the cold.

Scolvus's arrival is supported by a report from Christopher Columbus, who, in 1477, was in Bristol and mentioned an unusually ice-free Arctic, with ships sailing as far north as 73°N without encountering ice. The text implies that Scolvus, having reached the Greenlanders' colony, went on to explore the Foxe Channel and may have been the first to see the opening to Hudson Bay. Gomara, a Spanish historian, also referred to a Norwegian expedition led by John Scolvus to the Arctic in the 1470s.

Third theory

According to Loker in his book "Ancient Explorers of America: From the Ice Age to Columbus", the expedition took place in 1473, led by shipmasters Didrik Pining and Hans Pothorst. The expedition was commissioned by King Christian I of Denmark at the request of the King of Portugal. Its purpose was to explore and seek new lands in the north, which likely included Newfoundland (referred to as Terra do Bacalhau, or "Land of Codfish"). João Vaz Corte-Real, a Portuguese navigator, is believed to have accompanied Pining and Pothorst on this voyage.

Fourth theory

The claim that João Vaz Corte-Real and Álvaro Martins discovered the area referred to as Codfish Land (Terra do Bacalhau) in 1472 originates from Gaspar Frutuoso, writing a century later. In his book "Saudades da Terra (1570–1580)", Frutuoso recounts that João Vaz and Álvaro Martins returned from the Land of Codfish, which they had discovered under the king's orders, and petitioned for the captaincy of Terceira. He credits João Vaz as the principal discoverer, and possibly the discoverer of America, and notes that Jácome de Bruges relinquished half of Terceira to him. There are no mentions however of a Danish expedition.

However, the discovery narrative is heavily contested. Both Ernesto do Canto [pt] and Henry Harrisse dismissed the claim, arguing that it lacks documentation and evidence. The grants awarded to João Vaz and Álvaro Martins mention their services and expenses but do not refer to any discoveries. Frutuoso's account is very criticized for numerous inaccuracies, including attributing to João Vaz the discovery of Cape Verde and Brazil, as well as unverified military achievements.

Moreover, a royal charter from 1506, which transferred lands to João Vaz's sons, Gaspar and Miguel, explicitly names Gaspar as the "first discoverer", with no mention of João Vaz. The use of the terms "descobrir" (to discover) and "achar" (to find) in the description of the brothers' discoveries suggests they were not following prior findings.

Later maps, such as those of Fernão Vaz Dourado (1571) and Gerardus Mercator (1569), include João Vaz's name near Greenland, though it does not appear in earlier maps like Cantino or Canerio. Additionally, there were attempts to link the alleged discovery to voyages by the Danish, but they lack evidence and are speculative at best.

While some historians, like Damião Peres [pt], acknowledge João Vaz and Álvaro Martins as explorers of the Atlantic, the claim of their discovering Newfoundland remains unproven. For Duarte Leite, the idea is purely a fantasy.

References

1. ^ Diffie et al., 1977, p. 447.
2. ^ Barreto 1992, p. 62.
3. ^ Davies 1984, p. 371.
4. Loker 2009, p. 160.
5. ^ Diffie et al., 1977, p. 448.
6. Diffie et al., 1977, p. 449.

• Barreto, Maxcarenhas (April 13, 1992). The Portuguese Columbus: Secret Agent of King John II. Sringer. ISBN 1349219940.
• Davies, Arthur (November 1984). Prince Madoc and the Discovery of America in 1477. Vol. 150. pp. 363–372. doi:10.2307/634332. ISBN 1349219940. JSTOR 634332. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
• Loker, Aleck (2009). Ancient Explorers of America: From the Ice Age to Columbus. The Geographical Journal. ISBN 978-1928874195.
• Diffie, Bailey W.; Winius, George D. (1977). Foundations of the Portuguese Empire, 1415–1580. University of Minnesota Press. ISBN 0-8166-0782-6.

• Expeditions from Portugal
• Expeditions from Denmark
• Exploration of North America
• 1470s in North America
• History of Canada
• Portuguese exploration in the Age of Discovery
• Portuguese colonization of the Americas