A Missing Preface in Mendoza’s History of the Great Kingdom of China, 1585

Abstract

Mendoza’s History of the Great Kingdom of China, first published in 1585, used the Augustinian Martín de Rada’s account of his visit to China for a significant part of his book. Although he used Rada’s account almost completely, he omitted the first chapter. That chapter does not reflect well on the Augustinians, as it shows the lengths they were going to in order to get into China. It also shows the role played by one of the leading Sangleys in Manila, whose name was Sanko, though written by the Spaniards as Çanco. We fill Mendoza’s gap by presenting that chapter together with an English translation.