Dutch Arrival at Bantam

Timeline

1. 1596Bantam harbor · JavaHoutman's fleet sailed into the anchorage at Bantam; the Sultan of Bantam allowed the Dutch to go ashore to resupply and negotiate pepper purchases. The Dutch became the first Northern European merchants to reach Java directly by bypassing the Portuguese, drawing the attention of local and Portuguese-descended merchants.
2. 1596Bantam · JavaThe Dutch attempted to buy large quantities of pepper at low prices, conflicting with existing Bantam trade customs and Portuguese interests; Houtman's hardline attitude worsened relations, and the Dutch were forced to leave after obtaining only limited pepper, failing to sign a long-term trade treaty.
3. 1596–1597Northern coast of Java · JavaAfter leaving Bantam, Houtman's fleet sailed along Java's north coast, making contact successively with Cilacap, Madura and other places, continuing to gather spice and navigational intelligence and accumulating local knowledge for later Dutch trade connections on Java.