CH. VIII] 
Willoughby 
59 
was the Vinland of the Norsemen. This was in 1496, 
and in the following years there were other voyages from 
Bristol to the new land. Nine years afterwards the 
Company of Merchant Adventurers received their charter, 
and English Arctic enterprise was not very long in 
starting under the auspices of that famous Company. 
Mr Robert Thorne, a merchant of London who long 
resided at Seville, and whose father had been an adven- 
turer to the new land, was one of those who urged the 
importance of northern exploration. In a letter to the 
English Ambassador at Madrid, and in another to 
Henry VIII, he counselled the discovery of routes to 
China and the Spice Islands by the north. He pointed 
out that from the situation of this realm of England it 
was nearest and aptest of all others for the prosecution 
of such a discovery, which would win perpetual glory 
for the King and infinite profit for his subjects. After 
reaching the Pole, he said, the discoverers can decline 
to which part they list. 
Such words were as seed falling on fertile soil. Arctic 
enterprise needed stimulus, however, and received it 
from two young princes of great promise, both alas ! 
cut off in their prime — Edward VI and Prince Henry 
of Wales. King Edward took a warm and personal 
interest in the maritime prosperity of his country, and 
in the science of navigation. His friend and companion, 
Henry Sidney 1 , was imbued with the same feeling. 
Under their auspices the first Arctic expedition was or- 
ganised and despatched by the Company of Merchant 
Adventurers to undertake a voyage to Cathay by the 
north-east. The whole subject was considered with the 
greatest care as regards the management and discipline, 
the ships, the merchandise to be taken, and the pro- 
visions. 
The most important matter of all was the selection 
of good commanders. Sir Hugh Willoughby, a most 
valiant gentleman and well born, very earnestly requested 
that he might be chosen to command the expedition. 
Sir Hugh was a younger son of Sir Henry Willoughby, 
Knight Banneret of Wollaton, who died in 1528, and 
1 Father of Sir Philip Sidney, and of Robert, ist Earl of Leicester 
of that family. 
