Federmann, Nikolaus
Federmann, Nikolaus
(nē`kōlous fā`dərmän), 1501–42, German adventurer in Venezuela and Colombia. In the service of the Welser brothers, Augsburg bankers to whom Charles V had granted rights in Venezuela, Federmann first landed at Santa Ana de CoroSanta Ana de Coroor Coro
, city (1990 pop. 124,506), capital of Falcón state, NW Venezuela, 7 mi (11.3 km) from the Caribbean Sea, and at the base of the Paraguaná peninsula.
..... Click the link for more information. in 1530. Contrary to the orders of his commander, Federmann launched an expedition in search of El DoradoEl Dorado
[Span.,=the gilded man], legendary country of the Golden Man sought by adventurers in South America. The legend supposedly originated in a custom of the Chibcha people of Colombia who each year anointed a chieftain and rolled him in gold, which he then ceremonially
..... Click the link for more information. in 1535, going south to explore the Colombian llanos. Hearing of Jiménez de QuesadaJiménez de Quesada, Gonzalo
, c.1499–1579, Spanish conquistador in Colombia. Chief magistrate of Santa Marta, he was commissioned to explore the Magdalena in search of El Dorado.
..... Click the link for more information. , Federmann and his men climbed the Andes, met Quesada, and in return for a large payment agreed not to dispute the latter's claims. An attempt by BenalcázarBenalcázar or Belalcázar, Sebastián de
, c.1479–1551, Spanish conquistador. After accompanying Columbus on his third voyage (1498), Benalcázar served in Darién and Nicaragua
..... Click the link for more information. to join with Federmann against Quesada failed. Entering Bogotá, the commanders settled their differences and returned (1539) to Europe to confirm their claims. Federmann, involved in a suit in which he accused the Welsers of defrauding the emperor, died in Madrid after confessing his accusation to have been false.