Gaspar Frutuoso
Encyclopedia
Gaspar Frutuoso was a Portuguese
priest
, historian
and humanist
from the island of São Miguel
, in the Azores
. His major contribution to Portuguese history was his detailed descriptions of the history
and geography
of the Azores
, Madeira
, Canary Islands
and references to Cape Verde
, which he published in his six-part tome Saudades da Terra. He is normally cited in settlement history of the islands of the Azores
.
, son of Frutuoso Dias, a merchant and rural property owner, and his wife Isabel Fernandes. Little is also known of his childhood, apart from references to him working on his father's lands during this period.
The first trustworthy records about him certify his admission to the University of Salamanca
(in 1548) where he obtained an Art
s certification. At the age of 31, he was ordained in 1554 during a visit to São Miguel
; his records from 1554-55 show him registered as presbitero bachiller. He continued his studies in Salamanca
under the noted theologian Domingo de Soto
, the royal confessor of King Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (and Charles I of Spain)
and envoy to the Council of Trent
, where he obtained a Theology baccalaureate. During his time in Salamanca he became friends with Father Miguel Torres, a member of the Society of Jesus
, which would serve him later as he promoted charitable activities in the Azores.
He briefly returned to the Azores, becoming parish
priest in Santa Cruz
, Lagoa (Azores)
, where records written by him exist for the years 1558 to 1560.
In 1560, he decided to return to Salamanca in order to complete a Doctorate
in Theology, but began working with Bishop
Julião de Alva in Bragança, where he remained until 1563. It is unclear when and from where he attained his Doctorate
, but he began to use this title from 1565, and appeared on the registry of the University of Évora
(an institution of the Society of Jesus
) from 1569.
By decree, May 20, 1565 he was nominated to be the vicar
and orator at the parochial church of Nossa Senhora da Estrela, Ribeira Grande, a position he held for the next 26 years (until his death). During this time, he was dedicated to the parish and charitable works on and off-island, but still had time writing his 16 manuscripts that included Saudades da Terra, and Saudades do Ceu.
Ever mindful of the politics of the time, during the period of the Philippine Dynasty
, he was:
In 1566, during the French assault on Funchal
, he collected funds and wheat for the people of Madeira
.
He died on August 24, 1591 and was buried in the church of Ribeira Grande.
that contains observations by the author of the history and geography of the Atlantic territories of the Kingdom of Portugal, well as the Canary Islands
(lands at one time attributed to Portugal). It is a referential work for the understanding of the islands of Macronesia at the end of the 16th Century. The work is not limited to geography
and history
, but also covers daily life, customs and traditions, genealogy
, the origins of place names, flora
and fauna
, and affirms Frutuoso's humanist nature typical of the Renaissance
. The author is an encyclopedic, literary and artistic observer of the natural phenomenons, preoccupied with experimental alchemy
and speculative on aspects of geology
, biology
, mineralogy
and petrology
.
His detailed descriptions are so detailed that they were published into separate volumes which cover:
The fifth volume is an elaborate poem, from the perspective of a fictional character, writing in a pastoral style, about the history
of two friends that are separated and forced to live far from home. Some biographers have cited this as a deliberate autobiography
of the Frutuoso and his University friend, the Micalense
medic, Gaspar Gonçalves.
Gaspar Frutuoso apparently attempted to publish his work, going so far as to rework and edit his manuscript (the original has many edits in his hand). For reasons that are never clear, although the Spanish occupation of the island during the Iberian Union
may have influenced his decision, he never published the work. The manuscript, along with documents from his library, were sent to the Jesuit College in Ponta Delgada
and preserved until 1760 (when the Society of Jesus
was expelled from Portugal). The manuscript fell into the hands of people who restricted access to the document, until it was donated to the General Committee of Ponta Delgada
, and incorporated into the holdings of the Public Library and Archive (where it now resides). The work was finally published in 1873, with thirty notes by Álvaro Rodrigues de Azevedo, and a prologue by the Dicionário Universal de Português Ilustrado, written by Fernandes Costa. Many partial editions of Saudades da Terra have been re-published by the Instituto Cultural de Ponta Delgada since 1966.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
from the island of São Miguel
São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island , nicknamed "The Green Island", is the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. The island covers and has around 140,000 inhabitants, 45,000 of these people located in the largest city in the archipelago: Ponta Delgada.-History:In 1427, São Miguel...
, in the Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
. His major contribution to Portuguese history was his detailed descriptions of the history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
and geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
of the Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
, Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
, Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
and references to Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
, which he published in his six-part tome Saudades da Terra. He is normally cited in settlement history of the islands of the Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
.
Biography
Gaspar Frutuoso was born in 1522, on the island of São MiguelSão Miguel Island
São Miguel Island , nicknamed "The Green Island", is the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. The island covers and has around 140,000 inhabitants, 45,000 of these people located in the largest city in the archipelago: Ponta Delgada.-History:In 1427, São Miguel...
, son of Frutuoso Dias, a merchant and rural property owner, and his wife Isabel Fernandes. Little is also known of his childhood, apart from references to him working on his father's lands during this period.
The first trustworthy records about him certify his admission to the University of Salamanca
University of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is a Spanish higher education institution, located in the town of Salamanca, west of Madrid. It was founded in 1134 and given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. It is the oldest founded university in Spain and the third oldest European...
(in 1548) where he obtained an Art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
s certification. At the age of 31, he was ordained in 1554 during a visit to São Miguel
São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island , nicknamed "The Green Island", is the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. The island covers and has around 140,000 inhabitants, 45,000 of these people located in the largest city in the archipelago: Ponta Delgada.-History:In 1427, São Miguel...
; his records from 1554-55 show him registered as presbitero bachiller. He continued his studies in Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
under the noted theologian Domingo de Soto
Domingo de Soto
Domingo de Soto was a Dominican priest and Scholastic theologian born in Segovia, Spain, and died in Salamanca at the age of 66...
, the royal confessor of King Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (and Charles I of Spain)
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
and envoy to the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
, where he obtained a Theology baccalaureate. During his time in Salamanca he became friends with Father Miguel Torres, a member of the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, which would serve him later as he promoted charitable activities in the Azores.
He briefly returned to the Azores, becoming parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
priest in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz (Lagoa)
Santa Cruz is a parish in the municipality of Lagoa in the Azores. The population in 2001 was 3501, in an area of 14.25 km² that extends from the southern coast of São Miguel to the Serra de Água de Pau massif .-Geography:Santa Cruz has a school, a lyceum, a gymnasia and a square...
, Lagoa (Azores)
Lagoa (Azores)
Lagoa is a municipality on the southwest-central part of São Miguel Island in the Azores It has a population of 14,698.Lagoa is located east of Ponta Delgada and is linked with a road connecting Ponta Delgada, the western part of the island and Furnas, Povoação and the eastern part of the island...
, where records written by him exist for the years 1558 to 1560.
In 1560, he decided to return to Salamanca in order to complete a Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in Theology, but began working with Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Julião de Alva in Bragança, where he remained until 1563. It is unclear when and from where he attained his Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
, but he began to use this title from 1565, and appeared on the registry of the University of Évora
University of Évora
The University of Évora is a public university in Évora, Portugal.-History:The University of Évora, the second oldest in Portugal, was founded in the 16th century by Cardinal Infante Dom Henrique , and by the Pope Paul IV, and it was delivered to the Society of Jesus.The Jesuit college...
(an institution of the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
) from 1569.
By decree, May 20, 1565 he was nominated to be the vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
and orator at the parochial church of Nossa Senhora da Estrela, Ribeira Grande, a position he held for the next 26 years (until his death). During this time, he was dedicated to the parish and charitable works on and off-island, but still had time writing his 16 manuscripts that included Saudades da Terra, and Saudades do Ceu.
Ever mindful of the politics of the time, during the period of the Philippine Dynasty
Philippine Dynasty
The Portuguese House of Habsburg, commonly known as the Philippine Dynasty, is the third royal dynasty of Portugal. It was named after the three Spanish kings who ruled Portugal between 1580 and 1640 in a dynastic union of the two crowns...
, he was:
- "...generally benevolent, and at the same time cautious and prudent...always respecting the established order, he always spoke of Phillip II with reverence owed to his royal majesty and mindful of his right to the throne, never letting himself fall into diatribes or acerbic references nor acrimony against contrary factions."
In 1566, during the French assault on Funchal
Funchal
Funchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira. The city has a population of 112,015 and has been the capital of Madeira for more than five centuries.-Etymology:...
, he collected funds and wheat for the people of Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
.
He died on August 24, 1591 and was buried in the church of Ribeira Grande.
Saudades da Terra
Saudades da Terra, literally Nostalgic-longing for the Land, is a six-volume tomeTome
A tome is a large book, especially one volume of a multi-volume scholarly work.It may also refer to:-Places:* Tome, Miyagi, city in Japan * Tome-Adelino, New Mexico, city in New Mexico-People:...
that contains observations by the author of the history and geography of the Atlantic territories of the Kingdom of Portugal, well as the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
(lands at one time attributed to Portugal). It is a referential work for the understanding of the islands of Macronesia at the end of the 16th Century. The work is not limited to geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
and history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, but also covers daily life, customs and traditions, genealogy
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
, the origins of place names, flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
and fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
, and affirms Frutuoso's humanist nature typical of the Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
. The author is an encyclopedic, literary and artistic observer of the natural phenomenons, preoccupied with experimental alchemy
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
and speculative on aspects of geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
and petrology
Petrology
Petrology is the branch of geology that studies rocks, and the conditions in which rocks form....
.
His detailed descriptions are so detailed that they were published into separate volumes which cover:
- Book I - Cape Verde and Canary IslandsCanary IslandsThe Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
; - Book II – Madeira;
- Book III - Santa MariaSanta Maria IslandSanta Maria , Portuguese for Saint Mary, is an island located in the eastern group of the Azores archipelago and the southernmost island in the Azores...
(AzoresAzoresThe Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
); - Book IV - São MiguelSão Miguel IslandSão Miguel Island , nicknamed "The Green Island", is the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. The island covers and has around 140,000 inhabitants, 45,000 of these people located in the largest city in the archipelago: Ponta Delgada.-History:In 1427, São Miguel...
(Azores); - Book V - Poem
- Book VI - Terceira, FaialFaial IslandFaial Island , also known in English as Fayal, is a Portuguese island of the Central Group of the Azores....
, PicoPico IslandPico Island , is an island in the Central Group of the Portuguese Azores noted for its eponymous volcano, Ponta do Pico, which is the highest mountain in Portugal, the Azores, and the highest elevation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge...
, Flores, GraciosaGraciosaGraciosa Island is referred to as the White Island, the northernmost of the Central Group of islands in the Azores. The ovular Portuguese island has an area of 60.65 km², a length of 10 km and a width of 7 km...
, São Jorge (Azores).
The fifth volume is an elaborate poem, from the perspective of a fictional character, writing in a pastoral style, about the history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
of two friends that are separated and forced to live far from home. Some biographers have cited this as a deliberate autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
of the Frutuoso and his University friend, the Micalense
São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island , nicknamed "The Green Island", is the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. The island covers and has around 140,000 inhabitants, 45,000 of these people located in the largest city in the archipelago: Ponta Delgada.-History:In 1427, São Miguel...
medic, Gaspar Gonçalves.
Gaspar Frutuoso apparently attempted to publish his work, going so far as to rework and edit his manuscript (the original has many edits in his hand). For reasons that are never clear, although the Spanish occupation of the island during the Iberian Union
Iberian Union
The Iberian union was a political unit that governed all of the Iberian Peninsula south of the Pyrenees from 1580–1640, through a dynastic union between the monarchies of Portugal and Spain after the War of the Portuguese Succession...
may have influenced his decision, he never published the work. The manuscript, along with documents from his library, were sent to the Jesuit College in Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada is a city and municipality on the island of São Miguel in the archipelago of the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. It includes 44,403 residents in the urban area, and approximately 20,113 inhabitants in the three central parishes that comprise the historical city: São Pedro,...
and preserved until 1760 (when the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
was expelled from Portugal). The manuscript fell into the hands of people who restricted access to the document, until it was donated to the General Committee of Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada is a city and municipality on the island of São Miguel in the archipelago of the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. It includes 44,403 residents in the urban area, and approximately 20,113 inhabitants in the three central parishes that comprise the historical city: São Pedro,...
, and incorporated into the holdings of the Public Library and Archive (where it now resides). The work was finally published in 1873, with thirty notes by Álvaro Rodrigues de Azevedo, and a prologue by the Dicionário Universal de Português Ilustrado, written by Fernandes Costa. Many partial editions of Saudades da Terra have been re-published by the Instituto Cultural de Ponta Delgada since 1966.