ABSTRACT
In the sixteenth century, Iberian crews undertook an increasing number of long-distance maritime voyages, leading to a need to preserve and disseminate navigational knowledge. Written texts became essential for codifying this information, birthing a new genre of maritime literature: nautical treatises. Early works like the Munich and Évora Nautical Guides (ca. 1509–1519) integrated practical navigation with cosmographic knowledge, establishing a foundation for future manuals. Their widespread circulation and translation promoted the sharing of Iberian navigational expertise across Europe, influencing navigation manuals in France, England, and the Netherlands. This chapter examines the emergence of nautical treatises and their significant impact on maritime knowledge and their role in transforming navigation into a disciplined science.
