The Amboyna massacre occurred because of the intense rivalry between the East India Companies of England and Holland in the spice trade. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a trading post at Amboyna (Ambon Island) in the Molucca Islands in 1609 by driving out the previously established Portuguese factors. The British East India Company established a factory (trading station) nearby at Cambello in 1615. Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the British Isles Languages English (de facto) Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (French for: I Will Maintain) Anthem: Wilhelmus Official languages Dutch, Frisian Capital Amsterdam (constitutional) The Hague (government) Largest city Amsterdam Queen Beatrix Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 131st 41,526 km² 18. ... Spices at the central market of Agadir, Morocco in May 2005 The spice trade has been of major economic importance throughout human history and it particularly helped spur the Age of Exploration. ... Dutch colonial possessions, with the Dutch East India Company possessions marked in a paler green, surrounding the Indian Ocean plus Saint Helena in the mid-Atlantic. ... Ceram and Ambon Islands (Operational Navigation Chart, 1967) Not for navigational use Ambon City in 2001, showing heavy damage from fighting Ambon Island is part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. ... This page is about the geography and history of the island group in Indonesia — for the political entities encompassing the islands, see Maluku (Indonesian province) and North Maluku. ... // Events April 4 – King of Spain signs an edit of expulsion of all moriscos from Spain April 9 – Spain recognizes Dutch independence May 23 - Official ratification of the Second Charter of Virginia. ... The British East India Company, sometimes referred to as John Company, was a joint-stock company string of investors, which was granted a Royal Charter by Elizabeth I on December 31, 1599, with the intent to favour trade privileges in India. ... Events June 2 - First Récollet missionaries arrive at Quebec City, from Rouen, France. ...

In 1619 the British and Dutch signed a Treaty of Defense which allowed England to have one-third of the spice trade to two-thirds for the Dutch. However, Dutch officials in the East Indies gave no heed to this peace pact and armed conflict continued. Eventually, the British attacked the Dutch at Batavia and drove them out. Events May 13 - Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt is executed in The Hague after having been accused of treason. ... The Indies, on the display globe of the Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois The Indies or East Indies (or East India) is a term used to describe lands of South and Southeast Asia, occupying all of the former British India, the present Indian Union, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Maldives... Motto: Jaya Raya (Indonesian): Prosper and Great Founded 22 June 1527 Governor Sutiyoso Area 661. ...

Thereupon, the Dutch at Amboyna suspected that the British were about to attack them and assassinate their governor. The Dutch raided and overcame the neighboring British East Indian Company factory in 1623. They tortured the surviving ten British factors and their nine Japanese assistants with fire and water, eventually using gunpowder charges to blow off their arms and legs. Any who survived the brutal torture were killed. Events August 6 - Pope Urban VIII is elected to the Papacy. ...

The suffering of the captives became a national cause in England, and compensation was eventually paid to the descendants of the victims. The strife between the two nations abated completely only after the Dutch leader William of Orange became king of England in 1689. William III King of England, Scotland and Ireland William III and II (14 November 1650–8 March 1702; also known as William Henry and William of Orange) was Prince of Orange from his birth, King of England and Ireland from 13 February 1689, and King of Scotland from 11 April... This is a list of British monarchs, that is, the monarchs on the thrones of some of the various kingdoms that have existed on, or incorporated, the island of Great Britain, namely: England (united with Wales from 1536) up to 1707; Scotland up to 1707; The Kingdom of Great Britain...

After the Amboyna Massacre, the British reduced their interest in the East Indies and focused their attention on the continent of Asia, specifically the Indian Sub-Continent. In 1796 and 1810 British forces captured Amboyna, but returned the colony to the Dutch upon cessation of hostilities. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... // Company Rule, 1757-1857 Expansion and territory It was not until the middle of the 19th century that almost all of the territory that now constitutes Bangladesh, India and Pakistan came under the rule of the British East India Company. ... 1796 was a leap year starting on Friday. ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...