François Pyrard de Laval
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François Pyrard de Laval (1570-1621) was a French seaman who is known for a personal written account of the Maldives Islands from 1602-1607.
On July 2, 1602 Pyrard and a handful of sailors were shipwrecked on Baa Atoll of the Maldives. The were taken captive by the Maldivians and spent five years as "unwilling guests" on the islands, with most of the time spent on Malé. The sailors also endured malaria and sporadic cruel treatment during their captivity. However, Pyrard took pains to learn the local Divehi language and by doing so was able to achieve an insight into Maldivian society never before experienced by a European. He took extensive notes regarding Divehi culture, customs and history.
In February 1607, the Frenchmen escaped from Malé by boat in the midst of chaos during a Bengali raid. When Pyrard returned to France, he wrote a 3-volume journal regarding his adventure on the Maldives.
English Translation of Pyrard's Journal:
- "The Voyage of François Pyrard of Laval to the East Indies, the Maldives, the Moluccas, and Brazil". Translated into English from the Third French edition of 1619, and Edited, with Notes, by Albert Gray, formerly of the Ceylon Civil Service, assisted by Harry Charles Purvis Bell, of the Ceylon Civil Service. Volume I. 1887. Pages lviii, 452 + 1 map, 11 illustrations.
