Ferdinand Magellan's remaining crew return to Spain

Magellan had provided in his will that his Malay interpreter was to be freed upon his death. Enrique was indentured by Magellan during his earlier voyages to Malacca, and was at his side during the battles in Africa, during Magellan's disgrace at the King's court in Portugal, and during Magellan's successful raising of a fleet.

The casualties suffered in the Philippines left the expedition with too few men to sail the three remaining ships. In addition, Brunei boasted tame elephants and armament of 62 cannon, more than 5 times the armament of Magellan's ships.

After reaching the Maluku Islands (the Spice Islands) November 6, 1521, 115 crew were left.

The two remaining ships, laden with valuable spices, attempted to return to Spain by sailing west.

The Victoria set sail via the Indian Ocean route home on December 21, 1521. On September 6, 1522, Juan Sebastián Elcano and the remaining crew of Magellan's voyage and the last ship of the fleet, Victoria, arrived in Spain, almost exactly three years after leaving.

Four crewmen of the original fifty-five on the Trinidad finally returned to Spain in 1525.

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