Not much is known about Balboa’s childhood. He was born in about 1475 in Jerez de los Caballeros in Spain. Descended from a family line from Badajoz, his father, Nuno Arias de Balboa was only a minor nobleman, with neither money nor influence. The third of four sons, noble blood though did allow Vasco to gain a position as a squire in the house of Don Pedro de Portocarrero, Lord of Moguer.
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| Vasco Núñez de Balboa claims the South Sea - Unknown - PD-life-70 |
Don Pedro de Portocarrero’s possession around the south-west coast of Spain, brought Balboa into contact with many sailors. These men would claim that the New World could bring fame and fortune to those brave enough to sail the seas. There were many expeditions arranged to travel to the new world, and one of these was under the captaincy of Rodrigo de Bastidas. De Bastidas had gained a license to bring back treasure from the Americas. Balboa, along with his friend Juan de la Cosa, managed to gain a place on this expedition.
The year 1501 saw the expedition exploring the Caribbean coasts, from Panama and along the Colombian coast. Though realising that they were short of men they sailed to Hispaniola (the island of Haiti and Dominican Republic). The finds made on the expedition, as well as goods traded in Hispaniola, ensured that Balboa was comfortably off. Balboa invested his new funds into a plantation and pig farm, although neither proved to be a successful venture and following several years of high living, Balboa found himself deep in debt.
Balboa soon became a popular member of the crew, as opposed to the disliked expedition leader. Arriving in San Sebastian the expedition found the new city in ruins, following a series of attacks by the natives. Balboa convinced the remaining settlers and expedition crew that a new city could be founded on the Isthmus of Panama near Darien. On arrival though they found the natives waiting for them, a battle ensued with Cemaco and 500 of his warriors. Luck was on the side of the Spanish who were victorious. Thus a new settlement of Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien was founded in September 1510.
Balboa declared himself interim governor of Santa Maria, usurping Enciso’s power. With the support of the settlers, Balboa also managed to stop de Nicuesa, the true governor of the region, from taking control. Balboa also arrested Enciso and sent him back to Spain.
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| Quarrel for the Gold - Ober, Frederick A. - PD US |
It was in the land of Comagre that Balboa was made aware of another sea, where gold was plentiful. Tales were told of a kingdom where everything was made of gold. Knowing that his position as governor of Santa Maria was tenuous and that he could be replaced at any moment, Balboa sought favour with King Ferdinand the Catholic’ of Spain.
In September 1513 Balboa led an expedition from Santa Maria, taking with him 190 Spanish soldiers and 1000 friendly natives. Faced with dense forest and hostile tribes, Balboa’s force made their way across the Isthmus of Panama. A depleted force eventually found themselves in the mountain range along the Chucunaque River. From the peak of one of the mountains, balboa spotted the new ocean, named the South Sea, on 25th September 1513. A wooden cross and pyramids were erected on the site where the ocean was first seen.
Descending from the mountains, the expedition still had to fight their way to the coast. The expedition split into three groups, the group led by Alonso Martin was the first to reach the coast on the 27th September. Martin returned to Balboa, who with 26 men marched back to the coast. On arrival Balboa waded into the ocean, at San Miguel, with a sword in one hand and a Virgin Mary icon in the other. This was the 29th September.
The other main aim of the expedition has been the amassing of wealth. Balboa’s forces took gold and pearl from the conquered natives, including those from an island group, that included Isla Rica. In November Balboa decided to make a return to Santa Maria, although he took a different route back it still required pitch battles against more hostile natives.
Balboa finally arrived back in Santa Maria on the 19th January, 1514. Balboa proclaimed the discovery of the South Sea, which he had taken possession of on behalf of Spain. In addition Balboa was a wealthy man, he returned with a treasure in cotton goods, quantities of pearls and a fortune in gold. Four fifths of the treasure was kept by Balboa, whilst the rest was returned to Spain and King Ferdinand.
On Balboa’s return to Santa Maria, he found that Pedro Arias de Avila (also known as Pedrarias) had been appointed as governor by the king. Balboa accepted the king’s appointment, although Balboa was forced to pay reparations to Enciso. The new governor ordered further expeditions for treasures and new settlement locations. Balboa was wounded in an expedition to the Dabaibe region, although this in no way put him off a desire to return to the South Seas.
This desire put him in the bad books of Pedrarias, who feared that Balboa was trying to usurp his position, Balboa being far more popular with the settlers than Pedrarias. Pedrarias had Balboa arrested, and threatened to lock him up in a wooden cage.
Balboa was saved from this ignominy though by recognition from the Spanish Crown for his discovery of the South Seas. Pedrarias was ordered to show Balboa the greatest respect, and place him as planner of all conquests and expeditions in the region
The animosity between Balboa and Pedrarias seemed to be at end when a marriage was arranged between Balboa and Pedrarias’ daughter, Maria de Penalosa. Balboa though had a desire to continue to explore the South Seas, and in 1517 he departed to Acla with 300 men to build four new ships for further exploration. Balboa though was summoned by Pedrarias to an urgent meeting in Santa Maria in 1518.
Balboa made his way to Santa Maria but before he arrived he was arrested and charged with an attempt to set up a rival government to that of his father-in-law. The trial was swift, under the guidance of Pedrarias and Enciso. Commenced in January 1519, a guilty verdict was returned on Balboa and four of his friends; Fernando de Argello, Luis Botello, Hernn Muoz, and Andrs Valderrbano, by the fifteenth of the same month.
All of the accused were sentenced to beheading, to be undertaken in Acla. The sentence was carried out on the 21st January, 1519, and as Pedrarias watched, Balboa was decapitated with an axe. Stories tell of it taking three attempts by the executioner to remove Balboa’s head, the whereabouts of his remains are unknown and as such makes it difficult to confirm this story.
Balboa’s discovery of the South Seas has been proclaimed second only too Columbus’ discovery by historians. His legacy still continues to this day, his colony of Darien still exists today, making it the oldest existing European settlement in mainland America. Balboa was a great explorer and popular with settlers, his achievements and popularity though made others jealous and wary of him that eventually led to his death.
Copyright - First Published 19th March 2008
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