The Discoverie of Guiana

Masculinity and political geographies in England, Ireland and North America

“…48 This narrative, which concerns the difficulty of domesticating overmighty male subjects, is a far cry from the classical precedent referenced by Raleigh who, in his discussion of the Guineans, claims to have been told by a Spaniard of the local presence of the Ewaiponema, 'which are those without heades'. 49 The issue in Ireland was overcoming elite men's ingratitude and vaunting ambition, not coming to terms with acephalous gender-defying monsters.…”

“To Seek New Worlds, for Gold, for Praise, for Glory”: El Dorado and Empire in Sixteenth-Century Guiana

“…The task was impossible: the rivers too shallow to be navigated, the indigenous unhelpful, the winter rains close at hand, and the rulers of Guiana entirely unwilling to trade with Christians. 26 When pressed for geographic detail, Berrío pleaded ignorance, such that Raleigh was almost persuaded that he was "utterly unlearned, and [incapable of] knowing east from west." Nonetheless, Raleigh managed to extract enough knowledge via conference with Berrío and dialogue with the local Indians 27 that he ventured south to the Orinoco Delta with one hundred men in four small ships before the end of April.…”

“…Nonetheless, Raleigh managed to extract enough knowledge via conference with Berrío and dialogue with the local Indians 27 that he ventured south to the Orinoco Delta with one hundred men in four small ships before the end of April. 28 Within a week, the expedition entered the territory of the powerful caciques of the Orinoco interior, who Raleigh thought to be "Lords of the border" of Guiana. 29 He parleyed with several of these chiefs, seeking, and generally succeeding, in winning them to his cause as they, had been treated harshly by interloping Spaniards in the past.…”

“…28 Within a week, the expedition entered the territory of the powerful caciques of the Orinoco interior, who Raleigh thought to be "Lords of the border" of Guiana. 29 He parleyed with several of these chiefs, seeking, and generally succeeding, in winning them to his cause as they, had been treated harshly by interloping Spaniards in the past. Most important of these was Topiawari, uncle of Morequito, a cacique who had been executed by Berrío in recompense for an Indian ambush several years previously.…”

“…32 Shortly thereafter, Raleigh writes that Berrío informed him of "a great silver mine" a ways up one of the Orinoco's tributaries but, by this time, all "of the rivers were risen four or five feet in height, so as it was not possible by the strength of any men, or with any boat whatsoever to row into the river against the stream." 33 Foiled once again by the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune! Ill luck, near misses, and bad timing tellingly constitute perhaps the single most pervasive trope of the Discoverie of Guiana.…”