CAEN Diego

(ca. 1440-1486?)
In 1481 received a commission from the king to lead an expedition along the west coast of Africa continue to Cape Catherine, located at 2 б° S - the most southern point, which was reached in 1475. Sailed from Lisbon in early 1482, having on board several granite pillars (padranov - padres), topped by crosses, and carved with the royal coat of arms. Kanu had been ordered to add a caption in Portuguese, and Latin with the applicant's name and date of planting posts on the newly discovered territories, which was supposed to mean ownership of the newly discovered territories of Portugal and the Christian world. One of the pillars Kahn found in the mouth r.Kongo in 1482. Kahn traded with the natives of the kingdom of the Congo and sent several baptized Negroes in the depths of the country to their ruler, to keep the hostages in order to ensure the safety of his envoys. Rowed to the south to Cape SW. Mary (13 б° 26 'S), placed second column. In 1484 Kahn returned to Lisbon. In recognition of his merits was granted a lifetime pension and a title of nobility. In 1485 Kahn returned to the Congo, brought gifts to the king and returned the hostages, and then tried to persuade the natives to Christianity. Kahn moved south to the Cape Cross (21 б° 50 'S), where hoisted another post. Not later than August 1487 his ships returned to Portugal. There is conflicting information about his death: according to some sources, he returned to Lisbon, on the other - was killed in the sea at Cape Cross in 1486.