Timeline

Timeline

Overview

Though the ramifications of the Amboyna incident extend for centuries, the trial itself took place over 15 days in February and March of 1623.

Explore the events day-by-day. Click on individual names to see the confessions of mercenaries and merchants that led the Dutch to their fateful conclusion.

Collage of portraits and archival documents from the Amboyna trial

Day 1

The Confession of Hytieso

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Hirado, Japan
  • Age: 24 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Hytieso (part 1 of 2)

Pages

  • 1
  • 2

Day 2

The Confession of Sidney Migiell

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Nagasaki, Japan
  • Age: 23 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Sidney Migiell (part 1 of 2)

Pages

  • 1
  • 2

The Confession of Peter Congi

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Nagasaki, Japan
  • Age: 31 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Pedro Congi

The Confession of Soysimo

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Hirado, Japan
  • Age: 26 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Soysimo

The Confession of Thome Corea

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Nagasaki, Japan
  • Age: 50 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Thome Corea

The Confession of Tsiosa

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Hirado, Japan
  • Age: 32 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Tsiosa

The Confession of Quiendayo

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Karatsu, Japan
  • Age: 32 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Quiendayo

The Confession of Sinsa

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Hirado, Japan
  • Age: 32 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Sinsa (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Sinsa (part 2 of 2)

The Confession of Tsauinda

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Chikugo, Japan
  • Age: 32 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Tsavinda

The Confession of Zanchoo

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Hizen, Japan
  • Age: 22 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Zanchoo

Day 3

The Confession of Sacoube

  • Occupation: Japanese soldier
  • Born in Hirado, Japan
  • Age: 40 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Sacoube

The Confession of Abel Price

  • Born in Neles in Wales, in the county of Pembroke.
  • Age: 24 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Abel Price (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Abel Price (part 2 of 2)

The Confession of Timothy Johnson

  • Born in Newcastle
  • Age: 29 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Timothy Johnson (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Timothy Johnson (part 2 of 2)

Day 4

The Confession of Robert Brown

  • Born in Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Age: 24 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Robert Brown (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Robert Brown (part 2 of 2)

Day 5

The Confession of John Fardo

  • Occupation: English steward
  • Age: 42 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of John Fardo (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of John Fardo (part 2 of 2)

The Confession of Edward Collins

  • Occupation: English merchant
  • Born in London
  • Age: 25 years
  • Torture Status: Uncertain
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Collins A_0
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Collins

The Confession of John Beaumont

  • Occupation: English merchant
  • Born in Berkshire
  • Age: 48 years
  • Torture Status: Limited torture with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of John Beaumont (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of John Beaumont (part 2 of 2)

The Confession of Ephraim Ramsey

  • Occupation: Assistant to the English at Lohoe
  • Born in Carelstow in Scotland
  • Age: 21 years
  • Torture Status: Not tortured
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Ephraim Ramsey

The Confession of John Sadler

  • Occupation: English steward at Larica
  • Born in London
  • Age: 18 years
  • Torture Status: Not tortured
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of John Sadler

The Confession of William Griggs

  • Occupation: English merchant at Larico
  • Born in Dunstable, in the county of Bedford
  • Age: 28 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of William Griggs (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of William Griggs (part 2 of 2)

The Confession of John Clark

  • Occupation: Assistant to the English
  • Born in Ordington
  • Age: 36 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water and fire
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of John Clark (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of John Clark (part 2 of 2)

The Confession of William Webber

  • Born in Tiverton in Devonshire
  • Age: 32 years
  • Torture Status: Not tortured
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of William Webber

The Confession of George Sharrock

  • Occupation: Assistant to the English at Hitto
  • Born in Westchester
  • Age: 31 years
  • Torture Status: Not tortured
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of George Shacock

Day 6

The Confession of Samuel Coulson

  • Occupation: English merchant
  • Born in Newcastle
  • Age: 39 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Samuel Coulson (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Samuel Coulson (part 2 of 2)

The Confession of Gabriel Towerson

  • Occupation: Agent for the English in Amboyna
  • Born in London
  • Age: 49 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Gabriel Towerson (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Gabriel Towerson (part 2 of 2)

Day 7

The Confession of Emmanuel Thompson

  • Occupation: English merchant in Amboyna
  • Born in Hamburgh
  • Age: 50 years
  • Torture Status: Tortured with water and fire
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Emmanuel Thompson (part 1 of 2)
Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Emmanuel Thompson (part 2 of 2)

Day 8

    No interrogation

    Day 9

    The Confession of John Weatherall

    • Occupation: English merchant dwelling at Cambello
    • Born in Glaston, in the County of Rutland
    • Age: 31 years
    • Torture Status: Tortured with water
    Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of John Weatherall

    The Confession of John Powle

    • Occupation: Assistant to the English at Cambello
    • Born in Bristol
    • Age: 31 years
    • Torture Status: Not tortured
    Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of John Powle

    The Confession of Thoms Sharke

    • Born in Colchester
    • Age: 36 years
    • Torture Status: Not tortured
    Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Thomas Sharke (part 1 of 2)
    Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Thomas Sharke (part 2 of 2)

    The Confession of Augustine Peres

    • Occupation: Captain of the slaves
    • Born in Bengala
    • Age: 36 years
    • Torture Status: Tortured with water
    Photograph of a 17th-century printed page from the confession of Augustine Peres

    Day 10

      No interrogation

      Day 11

        Coulson proclaims his innocence in his psalm book.

        Photograph of the historical document: Samuel Coulson's psalm book

        Day 12

          No interrogation

          Day 13

            No interrogation

            Day 14

              Advocate-fiscal Isaaq De Bruyn charges the alleged plotters

              Photograph of a 17th-century printed page recording the formal charge against the accused (part 1 of 2)

              Pages

              • 1
              • 2

                John Beaumont spared

                Photograph of a 17th-century printed page recording the pardon of John Beaumont

                  Collins, Thomson, and Coulson draw lots, Collins spared

                  Photograph of a 17th-century printed page recording that Edward Collins was spared by the drawing of lots

                  Day 15

                    Execution

                    17th-century engraving depicting the execution of the accused at Amboyna, captioned ‘The putting to death of ten Englishmen, nyne Iaponians, and one Portugese, by the Hollanders at Amboina in the East Indies’