History in articles
Historical Mysteries and Legends
Madeira was known before the Portuguese: the island appears on Italian nautical charts as early as 1339—80 years before its official discovery by the Portuguese.
The Legend of the Lovers: According to a romantic version, English knight Robert Machim and his beloved Anna d'Arfet fled from England, but their ship wrecked off the coast of Madeira. The town of Machico is named in their memory.
The Purple Islands: Ancient authors such as Pliny and Plutarch mentioned the "Islands of the Blessed," which may correspond to Madeira and Porto Santo