Christopher Columbus Terms

Diego Columbus (b. 1480 - d. 1526)
Born in Portugal to Columbus and Felipa Perestrelas Moriz. His mother died when he was four years old. When he was of age, he sued the Spanish crown to obtain the offices and privileges that were granted to his father. His claims were never granted.

King Ferdinand (b. 1452 - d. 1516) and Queen Isabella (b. 1451 - d. 1504)
King of Spain who ruled jointly with Queen Isabella. They were known as the Catholic monarchs. They expelled the Jews from Spain and conquered the Muslim kingdom of Granada. They eventually drove the Moors from Spain in 1492.

Martin Alonzo Pinzon (b. ? - d. 1493)
Sailed with Columbus as captain of the Pinta. He was unwilling to acknowledge Columbus' authority during the famous voyage. He sailed off to make his own discoveries and met Columbus later, only to find the Nina after the wreck of the Santa Maria. He died a disappointed man because he desired the wealth and recognition that was bestowed on Columbus, his rival.

Square Rigged
Square or rectangular sails on two or more masts.

Vicente Yanez Pinzon (b. 1461 - d. 1513)
Captain of the Nina during the first voyage with Columbus. He was Martin Alonzo's brother, and a respected member of his seafaring family. During the voyage, he remained loyal to Columbus. After the voyage, he resented the fame Columbus received in Spain.

Nao
Fourteenth-century square-rigged ship with two to four masts. In later times they achieved great size. Also called a carrack.

Lateen Rigged
A triangular sail set at an angle to a short mast. Northern Europeans who went to the Mediterranean named them after the word "latin."

Mizzenmast
The third mast on ships with three or more masts.

Poop
A partial deck above the main deck located aft.

Stern
The back of a vessel.

Compass
An instrument whose magnetized metal needle aligns itself with the magnetic fields of the earth. This causes one end of the needle to point north. Mariners used this information to navigate the ship. The Chinese are said to have invented the first compass over 2000 years ago.

Bilge
The lowest part of a vessel's hull:, where any water in the hull collects.