Chapter III, A Hedge of Bitter Almond Summary

In 1511 Afonso de Albuquerque established a fort at Malacca that would be the stronghold for the Portuguese for many years to come. Control of Malacca opened access to the Spice Islands, and for all of the sixteenth century a great deal of wealth was shipped. In 1600, the English established the East India Company, better known in history as John Company and the Dutch launched the United East India Company known as Jan Company. The seas become a battleground and three times between 1604 and 1608 the Dutch try to capture the Portuguese fort at Malacca without success. The tenacity of the Portuguese is unassailable, and the rivalry both religious and financial continues. None of the three nations had the foresight to arm or occupy the Cape of Good Hope however, a crucial mistake...