Fernão de Oliveira: a Globalization Agent of Iberian Maritime Knowledge

Fr Fernão de Oliveira (1507-1581?) was a significant author in 16th century nautical science. In 1555, he published the Arte da Guerra do Mar (The Art of Sea Warfare) and around 1570 he wrote another work, which remained in manuscript, named Ars Nautica (a treatise on nautical construction). In 1580, he also wrote the Livro da Fábrica das Naus (The Book on Shipbuilding). Oliveira’s works are intimately connected with his adventurous life between Portugal and Europe.

Oliveira completed initial studies in Évora at a Dominican Convent. He then went to Spain for unclear reasons. After his return, he published the first ever Portuguese grammar in 1536, and became the preceptor of important figures at the Portuguese court. During the 1540s, his life took other paths. In 1541 he intended to travel to Italy, but he only went as far as France. His maritime knowledge impressed the French baron of Saint Blanchard, who employed him as his pilot. By this time, Oliveira had already learned much on board Spanish, Italian and French ships in European waters. When France invaded England in 1545, Oliveira participated in the expedition and was captured by the English in a naval fight. Brought to Henry VIII’s court, Oliveira gave his contributions to the English art of naval construction. When he returned to Portugal in 1547, he was jailed by the Inquisition because of his sympathies for Henry VIII’s position towards Rome. Soon afterwards he was released, but by the time of his death (circa 1580), Oliveira had been imprisoned again by the Inquisition. While working on his books, he also considered leaving Portugal again. In 1566, the Spanish ambassador in Lisbon reported that Oliveira received proposals to pass to France. He did not depart because the Spanish ambassador prevented him from going to France by enlisting him in the service of Philip II. It remains unknown whether Oliveira left Portugal to serve Philip II, but it seems improbable.

Throughout his career, Father Oliveira became an object of attention for the main maritime powers of the period: Spain, France and England. His ties with all of them motivated their interests in hiring him and learning from him. This is explained because as a skilled pilot, Oliveira’s 1555 Arte da Guerra no Mar (The Art of War at Sea) is the first important European treatise on maritime warfare, and the 1570 Ars Nautica is a systematic encyclopaedia on navigation. Not innocently, the Ars Nautica’s manuscript is held at the University of Leiden, as the Dutch Republic during the 1590s also became interested in Oliveira’s work for its maritime expansion.

Thus, Father Oliveira’s agitated life and works are a good example of how far an important humanist could contribute to the globalization of Iberian nautical knowledge and produce a major impact on the overall process of European maritime expansion. Nevertheless, Father Oliveira works’ circulation was not a unique case in 16th century Europe, as the circulation of maritime knowledge was truly unstoppable by any power. [Nuno Vila-Santa]