Demystifying La Buse’s Cryptogram and the Fiery Cross of Goa

Abstract

The field of cryptology alone offers a multitude of exciting exhibits and stories for a museum of science and technology. But when secret ciphers meet seaborne piracy and rich treasures, it sounds like a perfect mix for a successful storytelling. However,an extensive study of an eyewitness account and contemporary reports on the legend of la Buse led to sobering contexts related to colonialism, inquisition and, apart from a small kernel of truth, to a large spool full of seaman’s yarn.