Columbus's Petition to the Castilian Crown

Timeline

1. 1486Castilian court · CastileThrough the introductions of nobles such as Andrés de la Cueva, Columbus was able to present to the Catholic Monarchs his concept of reaching East Asia by sailing west, and proposed conditions including the ships, personnel, and share of spoils he required.
2. 1486Salamanca · SalamancaThe crown appointed a committee of theologians and scholars to examine Columbus's estimates of the Earth's circumference and sailing distances. The committee favored the larger Earth scale proposed by ancient Greek geographers, believing Columbus had underestimated the distance and that the plan was too risky.
3. 1486–1487Castile · CastileAfter the committee rejected the plan, the crown, burdened by the costly war against Granada and doubtful of Columbus's excessive demands for a share, declined to fund it. Columbus left Castile and turned to the Portuguese court to petition, but was also unsuccessful there, until finally receiving Castilian approval in 1492.