Afonso (João)

Of Zarco’s companions on the voyage of the discovery of Madeira, besides Tristão Vaz Teixeira, the chronicles have preserved the names of Gonçalo Aires Ferreira, João Lourenço, Rui Pais and João Afonso, who belonged to noble families and on this island founded large lines of descendants. Having reached the bay of Machico and made the first landing there, they went on the next day to explore the coast, leaving the ships anchored at that landing place. Frutuoso mentions the boats led by Gonçalves Zarco, Tristão Vaz Teixeira and João Afonso, which left the bay of Machico and sailed along the whole south of Madeira on a voyage of exploration. The frequent references to João Afonso seem to suggest that he stood out from his companions through some ascendancy or prestige he held over them.

João Afonso held sesmaria (royal land grant to settlers on condition of cultivation) lands in Câmara de Lobos (‘seals’ den’) and on them founded an entailed estate (morgadio), to which he attached the chantry (capela) of Espírito Santo (‘Holy Spirit’) in the church of Our Lady of Calhau (Nossa Senhora do Calhau), where he was buried in the last quarter of the 15th century. He is the progenitor and founder of the house of Torre Bela, one of the oldest and most important in Madeira. On this island he held the office of almoxarife (royal revenue officer and storekeeper) of Prince Henry the Navigator, collecting the revenues and taxes due to him.