The Canary Islands

Sources from old books

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Of the Ilands of the Canaries, and Trade thereof.

THese Ilands are seven in number, and under the command of the Spaniard formerly called the Fortunate Ilands. They abound in Sugars, whereof great quantitie of Marmalet and other conserves are made; in Birds, which hereof take their names, excellent in singing; in Wines which hence are knowne by these Ilands names, excellent in taste; and in Woad found excellent for Dying.

To these Ilands is now found and practised some small trade by the English; to which place they import some seys, serges, bayes, linnens, and such like, and export thence Woad, and Sugars and Wines of the growth of these Ilands which last is vented thence into England and Holland above two thousand Tunnes yearely, to the great inriching of the Inhabitants.

Their weights, measures, and coines are altogether concurrent with the weights, measures, and coines currant in Sivill, to which place it was annexed by the Spaniards the first discoverers therefore I shall not need to say ought here further thereof.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

The Canary Islands.

THe first discovery of these Islands, was made by one Bethen-Court, a French Gentleman, who had the title of King of the Canaries, and facilitated the Conquest of 'em to the Spaniards, whom they now obey. The Name of Canary, came from the Doggs, which those Islands had formerly, and not from the Canes of Sugar, which were not planted there, till after they had this Name. The common opinion is, that they are the Fortunate Islands of the Ancients. They furnish excellent Wines, Sugar abundantly, and small Birds, that are called Canary-Birds. They are reckon'd seven in number. They are all exempt from venomous Animals, and nevertheless subject to excessive heats. The principal Canary has a City and Bishoprick of the same Name. The Isle of Fierro is known for its Tree, which distils Water to its Inhabitants, and by the Position, that in France is made there, of the first Meridian. The Island of Teneriffe is the greatest of all these Islands; it has the Mountain of Pico, always covered with Snows; Seamen esteem it the highest and the streightest in the World; and indeed it requires three days time to mount to the top of it. 'Tis seen fifty Leagues off; It's us'd as a Pharos, by those who are at Sea, and some place there the first Meridian: It is said to yield, every Year, above twenty thousand Tuns of the most excellent Wines that the Earth produces. The other Canary Islands are la Gomera, Palma, Fortaventura, and Lancelotta. These Islands serve often for Rendezouz to the Spanish Fleets, which come from the West-Indies, and which there receive order to what place of the Kingdom of Spain they must go and dis-embark their Riches. At la Palma our Ships touch, to refresh themselves in their Voyage towards America. The makers of Romances have taken occasion to sham us with many things, upon occasion of the Canaries.