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1332: the discovery of the Indies

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What if the colonization of Vinland had succeeded?
Here is that story!
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Map 20


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In 1331 a Venetian merchant, Giovanni Colonna (1295-1347), arrived in Vinland. He tries to be discreet but attracts the attention of the spies of Edouard of Nouvanjou who summons him in November 1331. 
Colonna confesses to him under threat that he is looking for access from the west to Cathay, the fabulous country explored by Marco Polo between 1271 and 1295.  
Edouard immediately showed interest and set up an expedition to be led by his eldest son Richard (1302-1350). There are 2 ships with 100 people in all.  

The expedition left Henriville on March 25, 1332, heading for Cap Palud, the most distant point reached.Then she sails along the coast but without dwelling on it too much, the goal being to move forward as much as possible.  
There are then two stopovers of no great importance. This is followed by a navigation that gradually veers towards the south along a low coast devoid of a port.   
It was only on June 20, 1332 that a passable estuary was found at Tuxpan. As usual the explorers trade a little with the natives.

Shortly after, a large indigenous delegation from the small neighboring town of Teayo came to meet them and then invited them to their town. Richard and Giovanni then understand that they have arrived in a world other than that of Vinland.

Giovanni doubts that it is Cathay (China), it may be Cipango (Japan) or another place close but in any case in India. And there is gold! Richard considers his mission accomplished and is in a hurry to return - and also avoid the cyclones. They therefore leave Teayo and the "Indies" after a stay of 2 weeks with a lot of gold exchanged for iron weapons especially.

The expedition traces directly to the east and skirts the northern coasts of Yucatan without lingering there. On the other hand it stops in Cubao. The natives are low evolved but still have gold.The explorers return to Henriville after a little over 5 months of absence.

Baron of Nouvanjou then signed a treaty with Giovanni Colonna, the Treaty of Henriville. Cubao, which is barely explored, is granted to Baron de Nouvanjou but under Venetian and not English suzerainty. Trade with the Indies is reserved for Venice. There is no real betrayal of the English crown because Cubao is a separate island from Vinland.

Colonna is sent back to Italy to return with a fleet. A second expedition is mounted to take possession of Cubao.
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