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Whilst of noble birth, not much is known of his early life. Like [[Vasco da Gama]] he was considered more of a soldier-nobleman than a seaman when chosen to repeat da Gama’s venture in pursuit of trade with [[India]] - with a larger, better armed and manned fleet, and with missionary priests aboard.

Whilst of noble birth, not much is known of his early life. Like [[Vasco da Gama]] he was considered more of a soldier-nobleman than a seaman when chosen to repeat da Gama’s venture in pursuit of trade with [[India]] - with a larger, better armed and manned fleet, and with missionary priests aboard.

In early 1500 the fleet left [[Lisbon]], retraced the now well-known route to the [[Cape Verde Islands]] then struck due south, as if to track down the centre of the [[Atlantic]], well west of da Gama’s route three years previously. South of the [[equator]] and into the SE [[tradewinds]] he veered south west and made landfall on the coast of Brazil. They only stayed long enough to admire the locals, take on water, and note that the land seemed well on the Portuguese side of the line agreed to under the [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] signed some 6 years before, and claim possession. Cabral sent one of his fleet back to Portugal to report the find, but Portugal, it seems was not particularly exited by the discovery, preferring to concentrate on the more immediate riches expected from the opening of the East.

In early 1500 the fleet left [[Lisbon]], retraced the now well-known route to the [[Cape Verde Islands]] then struck due south, as if to track down the centre of the [[Atlantic]], well west of da Gama’s route three years previously. South of the [[equator]] and into the SE [[trade winds]] he veered south west and made landfall on the coast of Brazil. They only stayed long enough to admire the locals, take on water, and note that the land seemed well on the Portuguese side of the line agreed to under the [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] signed some 6 years before, and claim possession. Cabral sent one of his fleet back to Portugal to report the find, but Portugal, it seems was not particularly exited by the discovery, preferring to concentrate on the more immediate riches expected from the opening of the East.

They continued, sailing southeast to miss the south of Africa, encountering a storm on the way in which four ships were lost (including one commanded by the inestimable [[Bartholomew Diaz]]). Their progress up the east coast of Africa and across the [[Indian Ocean]] was similar to da Gama’s and they reached [[Calicut]] in India after about six months at sea, a time that was to remain fairly consistent for that voyage.

They continued, sailing southeast to miss the south of Africa, encountering a storm on the way in which four ships were lost (including one commanded by the inestimable [[Bartholomew Diaz]]). Their progress up the east coast of Africa and across the [[Indian Ocean]] was similar to da Gama’s and they reached [[Calicut]] in India after about six months at sea, a time that was to remain fairly consistent for that voyage.