Azores Captain-major

the lazaro luís map of atlantic (1563) showing azores , madeira

following discovery, gonçalo velho cabral became first donatary-captain of islands, beginning island of santa maria, later including island of são miguel when discovered. captaincy, lasted 1439 1461, described in 1460 henry navigator in letter cabral capitão por mim em minhas ilhas de santa maria e são miguel dos açores (captain me in islands of santa maria , são miguel in azores). progressive discovery of islands of archipelago resulted in new captaincies; in total, there have been thirteen unique captaincies in azores since discovery:

santa maria, part of captaincy of gonçalo velho cabral, santa maria , são miguel, later divided nephew joão soares de albergaria, , santa maria left in hands of descendents;
são miguel, part of captaincy of gonçalo velho cabral sold joão soares de albergaria third captain donatário rui gonçalves da câmara;
angra, single administration under captaincy of jácome de bruges, southern portion of terceira carved out , allocated joão vaz corte-real;
praia, quarrelling between joão vaz corte-real , Álvaro martins homem after mysterious disappearance of jácome de bruge, resulted in latter receiving praia;
praia da graciosa, allocated duarte barreto couto @ time of settlement, mysterious disappearance left in caretaker-ship of wife, until brother vasco gil sodré came assist in guaranteeing within family;
santa cruz, pedro correio da cunha (brother-in-law of christopher columbus), arrived on island porto santo, obtained captaincy in 1474, after mysterious disappearance of duarte barreto couto;
graciosa, vasco gil sodré attempted obtain captaincy of graciosa following castilian incursion in 1475. using same logic, crown decided unify island under 1 captain: pedro correio couto.
são jorge, bestowed joão vaz corte-real, island fiefdom of terceira, until re-incorporated crown, after manuel de moura corte-real, donatary captain of angra, decided maintain allegiance philip iii;
faial, island placed under administration of josse van huerter, after failed on first attempt settle island. discrepancy, since second attempt @ settling , developing territory resulted in greater expansion;
pico, Álvaro de ornelas attempted settle island 1460, bringing colonists northern portugal, arrived way of terceira , graciosa, attempt slow , resulted in failure;
faial , pico, island of pico incorporated faialense administration of huerter/dutra family on 29 december 1482, following inefficient failure of Álvaro de ornelas spearhead , expand settlements;
flores , corvo, developed without clear statue , late in settlement, dual island fiefdom functioned within feudal hierarchy, following settlement diogo de teive.