Francisco Barretto
Portuguese Military Commander
Francisco Barretto was born in Faro Algarve, Portugal in 1520. In 1547 he went to India where he was the Captain of Fort Becaim.
In 1555 he became the Governor of India returning to Portugal in 1559 where he became general of the galleys and in 1567 he was made Governor of the Land of Monomotapa by king Sebastian. When the Portuguese decided to send an expedition against the Monomotapa’s in retaliation for the murder of the missionary Goncalo Da Silveria. Barretto was chosen as commander with three ships and 1000 men.
He left Libson in 1569 arriving in Mozambique in May 1570. The conditions for these European troops in armour were appalling and large numbers died before reaching Sena.
The Portuguese won several victories against various African chiefs and penetrated many kilometers inland but Feres took an increasing toll and Barretto himself died 9 July 1573 in Sena, leaving Vasco Fernandes Homen to take command.
