The Dutch used their merchant fleet – the largest in Europe - to distribute Asian imports from Lisbon. As a result of working closely with the Portuguese they were able to collect valuable maps and sailing directions. The first Dutch trading voyage of 1595 returned with a cargo of pepper from Bantam.

The race was on.

With a head start, more money, more ships and a far more focused national purpose, they were to offer the English strong competition in the years ahead.