The Zeno brothers refers to the brothers Nicolò and Antonio Zeno (fl. 1380_1400), noted Venetian navigators of the second half of the 14th century. Both are brothers of the Venetian naval hero Carlo Zeno. The Zeno family was an established part of the aristocracy of Venice and held the franchise for transportation between Venetian and the Holy Land during the Crusades.

The brothers Nicolò and Antonio are famous today mostly because of a set of letters and map (called the Zeno map) published in the year 1558 by Nicolò's descendant, also called Nicolò Zeno. The letters, allegedly written by the two brothers around the 1400, purport to describe a voyage of exploration taken by the brothers throughout the North Atlantic (and by some interpretations to North America), under the command of a prince named Zichmni (who has been identified by some as Henry Sinclair).

The letters and accompanying map are controversial and are regarded by many historians as a hoax, either by the Zeno brothers or by the descendant who discovered and published them in the 16th century.

See: Theory that Henry Sinclair explored North America

The Letters

The lettes are divided into two parts: the first set are letters from Nicolò to Antonio. The second are letters from Antonio to their brother Carlo.

The first section of letters (from Nicolò to Antonio) describe how Nicolò set off in 1380 on a voyage from Venice to England and Flanders. Evidence exists that such a voyage took place, and that Nicolò returned to Venice around 1385 [1] (http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/ahamilton/sinclair.htm#r3).

In the letters, Nicolò describes being stranded on an island between Great Britain and Iceland called Frislanda, which is described as being larger in size than Ireland.

By chance Nicolò is rescued by Zichmni, who is described as prince who owned some islands called Porlanda off the southern coast of Frislanda, and who ruled the duchy of Sorant, or Sorand, on the south-east of Frislanda.

In the letters Nicolò invites Antonio to come to Frislanda with him, which he does, and stays for fourteen years. Under Zichmni's direction, Antonio attacks "Estlanda", which is obstensively the Shetland Islands, as indicated by the similarity of place names mentioned in the letters.

Zichmni then attempts to attack Iceland. After finding it too well defended, he attacks seven islands along its eastern side: Bres, Talas, Broas, Iscant, Trans, Mimant, Damberc. Such islands do not exist today.

Zichmni then builds a fort on Bres and leaves Nicolò in charge of it. Nicolò makes a voyage to Greenland and finds a monastery with central heating. He then returns to Frislanda where he dies, having been in the north approximately four or five years.

Soon after Nicolò's death, Zichmni receives word that a group of lost fisherman from Frislanda have returned after an absence of over twenty-five years. The fisherman describe having made landfall in the far west in unknown countries called Estotilanda and Drogeo. The fishermen describe having encountered strange animals as well as cannibals, from whom they escaped only after teaching the cannibals how to fish.

Inspired by the tales of the fishermen, Zichmni undertakes a voyage to the west with Antonio in charge of his fleet. To the west of Scotland, the encounter a large island called Icaria, the existence of which on the map and in the letters is among the most problematic issues concerning the account.

According to the letters, the inhabitants of Icaria greet them before they can make landfall. Only one person among the Icarians is able to speak a language that Zichmni understands. The inhabitants state that visitors to the island are not welcome and that they will defend the island to the last man if need be. Zichmni sails along the island looking for a place to make landfall, but the inhabitants chase him and Zichmni abandons the effort.

Sailing west, they make landfall at a promontory called Trin on the southern tip of "Engrouelanda". Zichmni likes the climate and the soil, but his crew finds it inhospitable. The sailors go home with Antonio, while Zichmni stays on to explore the area and build a town.