Diogo de Teive's voyages in the western Azores

Background. Diogo de Teive served as a maritime captain and squire to Infante D. Henrique during the Portuguese period of discovery. He established a base on Terceira Island in 1451 before undertaking further exploration. While early accounts mentioned the islands, no official discovery was recorded until the mid-15th century, with Teive's voyages marking the formal Portuguese recognition of the western group.

The 1452 Voyage. Following exploration in the western Atlantic near Newfoundland, Teive returned in 1452 and identified Flores and Corvo. He believed they constituted a new archipelago and named them Ilhas Floreira due to abundant flowering plants. Sources vary on the exact timing, with some citing late summer 1452 and others the end of his second voyage, while noting his son João de Teive was present.

Recognition and Naming. The Portuguese Court later identified Corvo as Ilha de Santa Iria, though nautical charts used various other names. For his efforts, Teive was appointed Donatary for Flores and Corvo. On 5 December 1452, Infante D. Henrique granted him a concession in the sugar cane industry on Madeira, formalizing the royal acknowledgment of his discovery.