Jacques de Coutre's Singapore and Johor 1594-c.1625

Download or read book Jacques de Coutre's Singapore and Johor 1594-c.1625 written by Peter Borschberg and published by NUS Press. This book was released on 2014-12-29 with total page 141 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Flemish gem trader Jacques de Coutre visited Southeast Asia in the early 17th century, and his lengthy account of his experiences provides a glimpse of Singapore, Johor and the Straits of Melaka during an era for which little written material has survived. This special edition, which presents highlights from the full translation, is designed to provide students, teachers and the wider public with a glimpse of this tumultuous region when it was still controlled by local rulers, and Western colonialism was just gaining a foothold. The author describes dangerous intrigues involving fortune hunters and schemers, as well as local rulers and couriers, adventures that on several occasions nearly cost him his life.