Vasco+da+Gama

**Vasco da Gama**
Vasco da Gama was a portugese explorer who discovered an ocean route from Portugal to to the east. He was born in 1460 in Sines, Portugal to Estevao da Gama and Isabel Sodre and died on christmas eve 1524. He left for his firts voyage on July 8th 1497 with his four ships from Lisbon, Portugal under the order of King Manuel I to find a water route to India.

Between 7/8/97 & 11/7/97: Vasco da gama and his crew reached Cape Verde Islands. May 20, 1498: The ships reach Calicut, India. August 29, 1498: Vasco da Gama departs from Calicut, India with 5 indian hostages, outraged with the lack of trading India wanted participate in with Portugal. October 1503: Da Gama's second group of ships return to Lisbon, Portugal with many spices.

His father Estavao Da Gama was a member of the household of prince Dom Fernando-master of the Order of St. James and later on, to that of the prince's son- Dom Diego, duke of Viseu, having also fought in Castille and in North Africa's military campaigns. His father's family, from the southern province of Alentejo, appears to have had close links with the Order of St. James.

His mother Isabel Sodre family of English ascendancy had also links with the household of Dom Diogo, duke of Viseu and governor of the military order of Christ.