Brief Biography: Little is known concerning the life of Henry
Timberlake. What little material exists, centers around his journey to Jerusalem
in the year 1601. From this journey a travel account was published of his
pilgrimage which he made with his companion, John Burrel. Henry was a merchant
owning the ship he traveled on, named the Troyane. He was a member of the
Company of Merchant Adventurers of London, and he held the first joint stock
in the East India Company until 1617. He died about August of 1626. After
his death his executor, Abraham Jacob, sold the rights to his book for one
thousand English pounds on September 27th, 1626.
Brief Itinerary: The following is a brief itinerary of Henry Timberlake
and John Burrell, as documented in the travel journal titled, A True
and Strange discourse of the traveiles of two English pilgrimes: What admirable
accidents befell them in their journey to Jerusalem, Gaza, Grand Cayro,
Alexandria, and other places. The account of the journey actually begins
in Grand Cayro. From this location all travel is conducted across the Arabian
Desert on camels. The entire journey lasts for fifty-two days; stay in
Jerusalem lasted for only six days.