The Land of Prester John by Elaine Sanceau Knopf HC/DJ/VG 1st American Ed (1944) For Sale

The Land of Prester John: A Chronicle of Portuguese Exploration is a prominent historical non-fiction book written by British historian Elaine Sanceau and first published in 1944 by Alfred A knopf.The book details the true, dramatic history of Portugal's century-long quest to locate the mythical Christian king, Prester John, and the ultimate alliance formed between the Portuguese Empire and the Christian Empire of Ethiopia (Abyssinia)Key Narrative & StructureThe historical account is divided into three main parts:

• Part I: How Portugal Sought Prester John: Explores the medieval origins of the Prester John myth—originally thought to be in Asia—and traces early Portuguese maritime expeditions. It highlights the journey of secret agents like Pero da Covilhã and early diplomacy, concluding with a Portuguese embassy finally making contact with the Ethiopian court.
• Part II: How Portugal Saved Prester John: Focuses on the military intervention led by Dom Cristóvão da Gama (son of Vasco da Gama). In 1541, Cristóvão led a small force of 400 Portuguese musketeers into the Ethiopian highlands to protect the Christian kingdom and Queen Sabla Wengel against the invading Adal Sultanate armies. Though Cristóvão was captured and executed, the remaining Portuguese troops successfully turned the tide of the war.
• Part III: The Parting of the Ways: Documents the aftermath of the military victory, focusing on the arrival of Jesuit missionaries who tried to convert the Ethiopian Orthodox population to Roman Catholicism. This cultural and theological clash ultimately resulted in religious conflict, heresy accusations, and the eventual expulsion of the Portuguese.