The Voyage of François Pyrard of of Laval

François Pyrard de Laval (c.1578-c.1623) was a French navigator who is remembered for a personal written account of his adventures in the Maldives Islands from 1602 to 1607.

On July 2, 1602, Pyrard and a handful of sailors were shipwrecked on South Maalhosmadulu Atoll of the Maldives. They were taken captive by the Maldivians and spent five years as "unwilling guests" on the islands, with most of the time spent on Malé. The sailors endured malaria and sporadic cruel treatment during their captivity. Nevertheless, Pyrard took pains to learn the local Dhivehi language and by doing so was able to achieve an insight into Maldivian society never before experienced by a European. He took extensive notes regarding Dhivehi culture, customs and history.

Hakluyt Society First Series, LXXVI, LXXVII, LXXX; 2 vols in 3 parts, 8vos (22.5 x 15 cm); 2 frontispieces, 16 in-text illustrations, 1 map, ex libris Inner Temple Library with bookplates and stamps, withdrawn stamp to titles, mostly unopened, a touch of marginal dampstaining to frontispieces; original publisher's gilt blue cloth, some dampstaining to boards, spines darkened, a good set; lviii, 452; xlvi, 288; xii, (289)-572pp.