The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 08
 Asia, Part I

by Richard Hakluyt

"The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation" by Richard Hakluyt is a historical compilation written in the late 16th century. This comprehensive work documents the extensive maritime explorations and trade ventures undertaken by the English, detailing several voyages that contributed to the expansion of English influence across Asia and other parts of the world. The text serves as a crucial resource for understanding the motivations and challenges faced by early explorers, as well as the cultural exchanges that occurred during this pivotal era. The opening portion of the work introduces various accounts of navigators and missionaries, such as Pelagius and Sighelmus, who ventured into foreign lands in pursuit of religious and scholarly endeavors. It narrates Pelagius's journey from Wales to parts of Asia, detailing his heretical teachings that emerged during his travels. There are references to journeys undertaken by other figures such as Sighelmus, who was dispatched by King Alfred to India, highlighting the early English involvement in international affairs. The excerpt provides a rich tapestry of narratives that reveal not only the voyages themselves but also the spiritual and philosophical motivations behind these explorations.