Rodrigo de Jerez
Encyclopedia
Rodrigo de Jerez was one of the Spanish
crewmen who sailed to the Americas
on the Santa Maria
as part of Christopher Columbus
's first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean
in 1492. He is credited with being the first European smoker
.
In September 1492 the crew first encountered tobacco, at San Salvador
island in the Bahamas, known to the natives as Guanahani
. The natives presented them with apparently valuable dry leaves that spread a peculiar fragrance. The leaves were discarded.
In November 1492 Jerez and Luis de Torres
first observed natives smoking. They were searching for the Emperor of China
in Cuba
. Apparently the natives made rolls of palm and mais leaves in the manner of a musket formed of paper, with tobacco on the inside. One would light one side and drink the smoke out of the other.
Jerez picked up this habit, and when he returned to Europe in the Niña
, he introduced the habit to his home town, Ayamonte
. The smoke surrounding him frightened his neighbours: the Spanish Inquisition
imprisoned him for his sinful
and infernal
habits, because only Devil
could give a man the power to exhale smoke from his mouth. When he was released seven years later, smoking had caught on.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
crewmen who sailed to the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
on the Santa Maria
Santa María (ship)
La Santa María de la Inmaculada Concepción , was the largest of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus in his first voyage. Her master and owner was Juan de la Cosa.-History:...
as part of Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
's first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
in 1492. He is credited with being the first European smoker
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
.
In September 1492 the crew first encountered tobacco, at San Salvador
San Salvador Island
San Salvador Island, also known as Watlings Island, is an island and district of the Bahamas. Until 1986, when the National Geographic Society suggested Samana Cay, it was widely believed that during his first expedition to the New World, San Salvador Island was the first land sighted and visited...
island in the Bahamas, known to the natives as Guanahani
Guanahani
Guanahani was the name the natives gave to the island that Christopher Columbus called San Salvador when he arrived at the Americas. Columbus reached the island on 12 October 1492, the first island he sighted and visited in the Americas...
. The natives presented them with apparently valuable dry leaves that spread a peculiar fragrance. The leaves were discarded.
In November 1492 Jerez and Luis de Torres
Luis de Torres
Luis de Torres , perhaps born as יוסף בן הלוי העברי, Yosef Ben Ha Levy Haivri, was Christopher Columbus's interpreter on his first voyage and the first person of Jewish origin to settle in America....
first observed natives smoking. They were searching for the Emperor of China
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. Apparently the natives made rolls of palm and mais leaves in the manner of a musket formed of paper, with tobacco on the inside. One would light one side and drink the smoke out of the other.
Jerez picked up this habit, and when he returned to Europe in the Niña
Niña
La Niña was one of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus in his first voyage towards the Indies in 1492. The real name of the Niña was Santa Clara. The name Niña was probably a pun on the name of her owner, Juan Niño of Moguer...
, he introduced the habit to his home town, Ayamonte
Ayamonte
Ayamonte is a town and municipality located in the province of Huelva, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 18,001 inhabitants.-Location and history:...
. The smoke surrounding him frightened his neighbours: the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
imprisoned him for his sinful
Sinful
To be sinful is to have committed an act that violates a known moral rule.Sinful may also refer to:* Sinful , a 1979 hard rock album* Sinful , a 1965 Mexican film-See also:* Sin * Sinner...
and infernal
Infernal
Infernal may refer to:* pertaining to hell* Infernal , a Danish dance/club band* Infernal , a Swedish black metal band* Infernal , a 2005 novel by F...
habits, because only Devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
could give a man the power to exhale smoke from his mouth. When he was released seven years later, smoking had caught on.