Quinto Império: uma História do Império Português

From Wikipedia:
When Portuguese explorers found these trees on the coast of South America, they used the name pau-brasil to describe them. Pau is Portuguese for "stick" (or, by metonymy, "wood" in general), and brasil is said to have come from brasa, Portuguese for "ember", meaning "emberlike". The wood of this tree has a deep red hue, which may be why it received this name. Pau-brasil had been earlier used to describe a different species of tree found in Asia and other places, called Sappanwood which also produced red dye [x]

From the author:
The expedition briefly came ashore, and named the landmass “Brasil” after the red resin from the pine trees indigenous to the island.

So my guess is that the use of the name "Brasil" isn't incorrect. The land was named after the red resin which looked like a brasa, not the South American pau-brasil which wasn't discovered yet.
 
Actually there was a designation to an island west of Ireland named "Ilha Brasil" long before 1500. Because of this, a mountain on the island of Angra do Heroismo is named Monte Brasil, and this pre-dates 1500. The island appears on 14th and 15th century maps.

Brazil itself was named Ilha (Terra) da Vera Cruz in 1500, Terra da Santa Cruz 1501.

Below is a Catalan map from 1375 showing the island of Brasil
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C2vvRlOtkLc/S9Xqiaf5KKI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/XxXuiCyhQzg/s1600/catalan.jpg

The map below from 1588 shows the island of Brasil
http://livinlavidarick.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/14-hybrasilmunstercol-1588-fb.jpg
Huy Brasil is totally unrelated- it was an Irish myth.
 
Huy Brasil is totally unrelated- it was an Irish myth.

While true, if a mythical island called "Brazil" or Brasil was supposed to exist west of Ireland, and several maps of the day referenced it. There is a good chance the explorers might name Newfoundland that, at least at first. Let us not forget that the French thought they would reach China going up the Saint Lawrence River, hence the naming of the Lachine Rapids.
 
While true, if a mythical island called "Brazil" or Brasil was supposed to exist west of Ireland, and several maps of the day referenced it. There is a good chance the explorers might name Newfoundland that, at least at first. Let us not forget that the French thought they would reach China going up the Saint Lawrence River, hence the naming of the Lachine Rapids.

This historical coincidence that was real Brazil and mythological Brazil amuses me. It would be nice to see the association becoming more mainstream in this TL. :)
 
Alcaçovas.

Advancement discovering America 40 years and about 60 years the discovery and exploration of North America Portuguese (Newfoundland)!!!

If it is decided established their presence, will prevent (I guess) that Basque fisheries of Newfoundland are installed there.
The arrival in Portugal of Colon (like a castaway) and her life there, be interesting to see as they are affected by butterflies.
In any case these events are likely to affect the terms of the treaty Alcaçovas (in 1479), more explicit for future claims of Portugal.

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/15th_century/sppo01.asp
 
bump.
Is this timeline already dead?

It will be rebooted on January 1st. I have a few updates written (and two maps done), but I want to get many updates ahead (so I still have things to post on busy weeks).

The POD will also be changed, though the general concept will remain the same.
 
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