The Memoirs And Memorials Of Jacques De Coutre

Jacques de Coutre was a Flemish gem trader who spent nearly a decade in Southeast Asia at the turn of the 17th century. He left history a substantial autobiography written in Spanish and preserved in the National Library of Spain in Madrid. Written in the form of a picaresque tale, with an acute eye for the cultures he encountered, the memoirs tell the story of his adventures in the trading centres of the day: Melaka, Ayutthaya, Cambodia, Patani, Pahang, Johor, Brunei and Manila. Narrowly escaping death several times, De Coutre was inevitably drawn into dangerous intrigues between the representatives of European power, myriad fortune hunters and schemers, and the rulers and courtiers in the palaces of Pahang, Patani, Siam and Johor.

Jacques de Coutre was a Flemish gem trader who spent nearly a decade in Southeast Asia at the turn of the 17th century. He left history a substantial autobiography written in Spanish and preserved in the National Library of Spain in Madrid. Written in the form of a picaresque tale, with an acute eye for the cultures he encountered, the memoirs tell the story of his adventures in the trading centres of the day: Melaka, Ayutthaya, Patani, Pahang, Johor, Brunei and Manila. Narrowly escaping death several times, De Coutre was inevitably drawn into dangerous intrigues between the representatives of European power, myriad fortune hunters and schemers, and the rulers and courtiers in the palaces of Pahang, Patani, Siam and Johor. In addition to his autobiography, De Coutre wrote a series of memorials to the united crown of Spain and Portugal that contain recommendations designed to remedy the decline in the fortunes of the Iberian powers in Southeast Asia, particularly against the backdrop of early Dutch political and commercial penetration into the region. Annotated and translated into English for the first time, these materials provide a valuable first-hand account of the issues confronting the early colonial powers in Southeast Asia, and deep into the societies De Coutre encountered in the territory that today makes up Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines. The book is lavishly illustrated with 62 maps and drawings of the period, including many examples not previously published.

The Flemish gem trader Jacques de Coutre visited Southeast Asia in the early 17th century, and his lengthy account of his experiences provides a glimpse of Singapore, Johor and the Straits of Melaka during an era for which little written material has survived. This special edition, which presents highlights from the full translation, is designed to provide students, teachers and the wider public with a glimpse of this tumultuous region when it was still controlled by local rulers, and Western colonialism was just gaining a foothold. The author describes dangerous intrigues involving fortune hunters and schemers, as well as local rulers and couriers, adventures that on several occasions nearly cost him his life.

As Singapore enters its 50th year of independence, it is a good time to reflect on its past as well as look to the future. 50 Years of Singapore-Europe Relations: Celebrating Singapore's Connections with Europe is one such contribution to the wide collection of books commemorating Singapore's 50th birthday. The essays and articles in this edited volume capture historical moments, reveal the heartfelt wishes and thoughtful comments of Europeans who have made Singapore their home, chronicle some of the long-standing partnerships and ponder the future challenges of Singapore. This unique book contains a wide range of essays and articles reflecting on the strong connections that Singapore enjoys with Europe, not only at the official level, but also through the contributions that Europeans and European companies have made — and continue to make — which enrich Singaporean society. These essays provide a kaleidoscope of views on Singapore — they explore how close ties and partnerships are forged between nations, how businesses see Singapore as a trustworthy partner and place to invest and establish roots, and, at a more personal level, the articles also present different perspectives on the strengths, and at times, the weaknesses of Singapore as viewed through the eyes of Europeans who live and work in Singapore and consider it as their home. In commemorating Singapore's 50th birthday, this book will add to the understanding of the richness and diversity of Singapore society, and help readers appreciate and reflect on how openness and connectivity have contributed to the success of Singapore in its first 50 years. Contents:Introduction: Celebrating Singapore's Connections with Europe — 50 Years and More (Yeo Lay Hwee)Connections and Reflections — Multi-dimensional Facets of Singapore-Europe Relations:Singapore and Europe: 50 Years of Relations (K Shanmugam)Europe's Contributions to Singapore's Contemporary Culture (Michael Pulch)Reflectiing on Singapore's Contributions to Europe (Yeo Lay Hwee)1965 and 2015, Europe and Singapore: Some Changes and Constants in a Cultural Geography Perspective (Barnard Turner)Debunking Some "Euromyths" — Understanding the European Union (EU) and Its Connections to Singapore (Loke Hoe Yeong)The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM): A Bridge between East and West (Goh Chok Tong)Singapore and the Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) (Tommy Koh and Peggy Kek)Singapore, Germany and the European Union — Political Dialogue for Closer Cooperation and Mutual Understanding (Wilhelm Hofmeister)Enduring Bilateral Ties:Belgians in Singapore: Helping to Write the City-State's (Hi)story (Gerard Cockx)The Mermaid and the Merlion — 50 Years with Denmark and Singapore (Written by Mathilde Moyell Juul (commissioned by Royal Danish Embassy)Preserving the Excellent Connection between Finland and Singapore through the Young Generation (Tuukka Väisänen)Cultural and Scientific Cooperation between Italy and Singapore (Contribution from the Embassy of Italy and Italian Cultural Institute)Singapore and Luxembourg: Small Partners, Big Visions! (Contribution from the Luxembourg Embassy)Singapore and the Netherlands: Building the Future Together (Katrijn de Ronde, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)Polish People in Singapore: The Foundation of Strong Singapore-Poland Relations (Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz and Katarzyna Kryczka)Singapore and Slovakia — Friendly Countries with a Strong Story (Michal Slivovič)From Commerce and Industry to Education and Science:From Central Europe to Singapore: Bata and Bat'a (Tomáš Smetánka)From Palm Oil to Consumer Goods' Giant (Benjamin Felix van Roij)Jebsen & Jessen (SEA) — A Singapore Story with European Roots (Benjamin Felix van Roij)Siemens in Singapore — Building Partnerships (Contribution from Siemens and Excel Marco)Science and Research Collaboration between Singapore and Europe (Bertil Andersson and Tony Mayer)Engineering the Future: Academic Excellence between Germany and Singapore (Contribution from TUM Asia (Technische Universität München Asia)Irish Connections — Ireland's Intrepid Educationalists in Singapore (Rosemary Lim)NUS' Connections with Europe: Our Students' Experience with European Partners (Anne Pakir)People Matter(s):Brother Joseph McNally: Son of Ballintubber, Ireland and Singapore (Molly Hennigan and Cheryl Julia Lee)Dr Albert Winsemius: A Dutchman among Singapore's Pioneers (Benjamin Felix van Roij)The Polish Professor Who "Maps our Brains" — Prof Dr Wieslaw L Nowiński (Charles Chia)Art and Science in Singapore in the Last 15 Years — A Personal Journey and Reflection (Isabelle Desjeux)Beppe De Vito — The Italian Restaurateur (Charles Chia)From Croatia to Singapore: Marko Kraljević's Journey (Dexter Lee) Readership: General readers who are interested in looking back at the varied dimensions and aspects of ties between Singapore and Europe over the years; students of political science, international relations and European Studies. Key Features:Contains a great variety of contributions, with reader-friendly textsProvides insights into and an overview of long-established Singapore-based companies with European rootsContains accessible insights into diplomatic and inter-regional relations, including ASEM/ASEF by ESM Goh Chok Tong and Ambassador-at-Large Tommy KohSuitable for a range of readers, from the inquisitive general reader to the specialistTimely publication to coincide with and celebrate Singapore's 50th anniversary of independenceKeywords:Singapore;50th Anniversary–Singapore;Diplomacy;Connections;Singapore-European Union Relations;ASEAN-EU;Asia-Europe Meeting;Singapore-EU Business Connections

Between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, competing European empires, notably Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, and others vied for commercial and political control of transoceanic networks, particularly the transpacific routes between Asia and the Americas. The essays in Transpacific Engagements: Trade, Translation, and Visual Culture of Entangled Empires (1565–1898) address the resulting cultural and artistic exchanges with an emphasis on both the Spanish and American enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region. The essays are grouped into three parts entitled “Entangled Empires,” “Empires and Translations,” and “Empires and Trade.” A common thread in the diverse perspectives presented here is the importance of transpacific engagements to the global connections of the sixteenth century and beyond. While the focus is on the specific connection between the Asia-Pacific region and the Americas through the Philippines, we see how other parts of the world, notably South and Southeast Asia and Europe, were also participants impacted by these transpacific linkages. The goal is to convey the complexity of entangled networks of commercial, political, and religious interests that complicate the Spanish enterprise in the Pacific. Commercial ventures into Canton and Manila by the early American republic, for example, overlapped with and later replaced the Spanish galleons. East, South, and Southeast Asian polities and dynasties remained powerful players in what were often multilateral, rather than bilateral, exchanges. Contributors to this volume are based in Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

This book presents extensive new research findings on and new thinking about Southeast Asia in this interesting, richly diverse, but much understudied period. It examines the wide and well-developed trading networks, explores the different kinds of regimes and the nature of power and security, considers urban growth, international relations and the beginnings of European involvement with the region, and discusses religious factors, in particular the spread and impact of Christianity. One key theme of the book is the consideration of how well-developed Southeast Asia was before the onset of European involvement, and, how, during the peak of the commercial boom in the 1500s and 1600s, many polities in Southeast Asia were not far behind Europe in terms of socio-economic progress and attainments.

On 16 June 2021 the National Heritage Board announced the successful conclusion of the archaeological excavation of two shipwrecks at the eastern approach to Singapore. This maritime archaeology excavation, the largest in Singapore’s waters, was conducted by the Archaeology Unit of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute over a six-year period. This book documents these two shipwrecks, complemented by essays on Singapore’s maritime history, from Temasek in the fourteenth century through the emergence of country trade in the late eighteenth century. These two shipwrecks challenge us to rethink Singapore’s history as globally connected, determined by what was happening on the seas in and around the island.

Part fact, part fiction, part myth, and part legend, this book brings to life the kingdom of Ayutthaya from its roots in the kingdom of Sukhothai to its eventual destruction by the Burmese in the year 1767. It is the turbulent story of both the kings and their kingdom, from its birth to its downfall. Robert Smith retells the history of Ayutthaya by reimagining and dramatizing the exploits of its rulers, building his account around a framework of documentary evidence and hints in the historical record. Intrigues, honor, and deception wind through the tale as do ingenuity, determination, and the will to greatness that made Ayutthaya a major regional power for centuries. This account of the development of a nation—and the myths and legends that have gone with it—shows how Ayutthaya and its kings laid the foundation of modern-day Thailand. Highlights • Engages readers with its presentation of the history, myths, and legends of the Ayutthaya kingdom • Shows the development of cultural heritage, kingship, and governance of Thailand • Narrates the stories of the kings and ruling dynasties of Ayutthaya • Dramatizes famous figures and events in Ayutthaya history through dialogue, narration, and description