Peter  Borschberg

Thevet’s “Cingaporla” (1575)

A translation of the Full chapter concerning Cingaporla and the adjacent islands and regions by the French royal cosmographer André Thevet.

Text and Translation

Document Translations

Download from this page a range of sources in English translation pertaining to the history of Singapore, before 1819.They will be published as appendices in my two forthcoming books “The Singapore and Melaka Straits” (2009) and “Grotius, the Portuguese and Free Trade in the East Indies” (2009)

De Coutre’s Propoposal for a fort on Singapore and Sentosa, c.1625

Information about building some Castles and Fortresses in the Straits of Singapore and other regions in the South

Text and Translation

Challenges from Early Modern Sources

Some thoughts about the handling, translation, and reliability of early modern sources with a focus on Tomé Pires

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Matelieff de Jonge’s Treaties with Johor of May and September 1606

The original Dutch text with a modern English translation of the two treaties signed between the Dutch East India Company and Johor in 1606.

Text and Translation

Matelieff de Jonge: Description of Batu Sawar and Kota Sabrang, 1606

Dutch Admiral Matelieff visited Batu Sawar and Kota Sabrang in 1606. Here his description of the two settlements, the Johor River and the surrounding region.

Text and Translation

Paulo Lima de Pereira: Destruction of Johor Lama, 1587

In a letter to King Philip II of Spain, Paulo Lima de Pereira recounts his military campaign in the course of which Johor Lama was burnt to the ground.

Text and Translation

Matelieff de Jonge: Description of the Four Princes of Johor, 1606

Dutch Admiral Matelieff visited Batu Sawar and Kota Sabrang in 1606. Here his description of Sultan Alauddin, Raja Bongsu (of the Sejarah Melayu), Raja Siak and Raja Laut

Text and Translation