Free Over the Edge of the World: Magellen's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe by Laurence Bergreen

astronomer and astrologer who enjoyed the respect of the Spanish authorities, and nothing more.
    The removal of Faleiro opened the way for Cartagena, the inspector general, to take his place. From Fonseca’s point of view, the promotion contained a certain numerical logic because the expedition would now have one Spanish and one Portuguese leader, but Magellan did not view matters that way. He considered himself the sole Captain General, and Cartagena simply the inspector general, not a co-admiral. Archbishop Fonseca clearly had another idea, for he appointed Cartagena as Faleiro’s replacement, specifying that he was “persona conjunta.” The exact meaning of this title was subject to varying interpretations, but at the minimum it meant that Magellan was supposed to consult with Cartagena in all matters. At the maximum, it meant that the two were cocommanders, with Cartagena, as inspector general, having a slight edge in his capacity as Magellan’s official supervisor.
    Although he had no experience at sea, Juan de Cartagena found himself leading one of the largest maritime expeditions mounted by Spain. This bizarre situation had much to do with his relationship with the man who appointed him, Archbishop Fonseca. Cartagena was considered Fonseca’s nephew, but as everyone realized, that term was a euphemism: In reality, Cartagena was Fonseca’s illegitimate son. Nor was he the only example of this peculiar brand of nepotism. The fleet’s accountant, Antonio de Coca, was the “nephew” of Fonseca’s brother. Not only that, but Fonseca appointed two close “friends” and “servants” of his as captains of two of the ships; these were Luis de Mendoza, who assumed command of Victoria, and Gaspar de Quesada, of Concepción. Not surprisingly,
    all three captains appointed by Fonseca—Cartagena, Quesada, and Mendoza—despised and looked down on Magellan from the moment they came on board.
    Here, at last, was Fonseca’s revenge on Magellan. No matter what the contract said, Fonseca had managed to stifle Magellan’s authority, and, potentially, his share of the proceeds of the expedition, by appointing his natural son and his close allies to virtually all the important positions in the armada. Collectively, they, and not Magellan, would have the final say over the disposition of the fleet and its finances. They, and not Magellan, would decide the allocation of personnel and resources. Magellan still held the rank of Captain General, it was true, but it was reduced in power; from Fonseca’s point of view, Magellan served at the pleasure of his Castilian captains, rather than the other way around. The arrangement made it impossible for Magellan and his captains to make decisions in the best of circumstances, even if they felt goodwill toward one another. And if they lacked mutual trust and respect, which was far more likely to be the case, it set the stage for endless challenges to Magellan’s authority, in other words, for mutiny.
     
    N ot content with the removal of Faleiro, the archbishop turned his malign attention to Juan de Aranda, who had first introduced Magellan to the Castilian court. Fonseca launched an investigation in Juan de Aranda’s business arrangements with Magellan and Faleiro; all three were interrogated separately. Under oath, Magellan described the fees Aranda had received for the services he rendered to the explorers, and the signed agreement to distribute a portion of the proceeds to Aranda. On June 15, 1519, Aranda himself went before the Supreme Council of the Indies, and by all accounts acquitted himself well. He had served the interests of the Spanish crown in his dealings with Magellan and Faleiro, and as for his personal stake in the expedition, it was the custom of the era.
    Despite these favorable indications, the Supreme Council censured Aranda for his actions, declaring that he had committed a criminal act by receiving money from Magellan; the judgment was signed by the