In 1522, Pierre Martyr, an Italian historian based at the Spanish court, wrote to the archbishop of Cuba:

"A few days ago I received a letter from the Indies and the New World. I must remind you that it was resolved at Barcelona, in our Council of the Indies, to send five vessels to seek out the islands that produce perfumes, under the leadership of the Portuguese Fernando de Magalhaens (Magellan in Portuguese), this Magalhaens having spent five years in the trading posts to which the perfumes of these equatorial islands reach, through trade with the neighboring islands. They arrived there after the death of Magalhens, killed by some islanders who were at war; and, the other four ships lost, of all the small fleet only one vessel returned, called LA VICTOIRE, more pierced than a sieve. This ship took three years to sail; you'll find a particularly admirable and incredible report on this, because this ship circumnavigated the entire globe, always following the setting sun. Farewell. Valladolod, 3rd day of the calendes of September in the year 1522".

This was great news, for the fact that this vessel had returned to its point of departure after sailing for three years in the same westerly direction, being undeniable experimental proof of the earth's sphericity.