Prince Henry the Navigator

Definition

Prince Henry the Navigator was a Portuguese royal who played a crucial role in the early stages of the Age of Exploration during the 15th century. He established a school for navigation, which advanced maritime knowledge and technology, and sponsored numerous expeditions along the African coast. His efforts significantly contributed to the expansion of Portuguese influence overseas, leading to the establishment of trade routes and colonies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Prince Henry founded a navigation school in Sagres, Portugal, which attracted many skilled navigators, cartographers, and astronomers.
2. He never personally sailed on expeditions but invested heavily in ships and exploration missions, leading to the discovery of new lands along the African coast.
3. His support for exploration led to the first European contact with sub-Saharan Africa, opening up new trade routes for gold and spices.
4. Prince Henry is often credited with developing new maritime technologies, including improvements in ship design and navigation techniques.
5. Although he died in 1460, his legacy laid the groundwork for later explorers like Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus, who expanded European exploration even further.

Review Questions

• How did Prince Henry's navigation school influence the advancements in maritime exploration during his time?
  • Prince Henry's navigation school in Sagres was instrumental in shaping maritime exploration by bringing together experts in various fields such as navigation, cartography, and astronomy. This collaborative environment fostered innovations in ship design and navigation techniques, which directly impacted the success of subsequent expeditions. The knowledge gained from this school helped establish Portugal as a leader in exploration, paving the way for future voyages along Africa's coast and beyond.
• Discuss how Prince Henry's sponsorship of expeditions affected Portugal's economic and political power during the Age of Exploration.
  • By sponsoring numerous expeditions along the African coast, Prince Henry significantly enhanced Portugal's economic power through the establishment of new trade routes for valuable commodities such as gold and spices. His efforts not only expanded Portuguese influence overseas but also laid the foundation for a vast colonial empire. As Portugal gained wealth from these trade routes, it became a dominant maritime power in Europe, challenging other nations like Spain and Italy for control over global trade.
• Evaluate Prince Henry's impact on later explorers and the broader context of European exploration and colonialism.
  • Prince Henry's contributions to navigation and exploration were pivotal in setting the stage for future explorers like Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus. His emphasis on maritime education and innovation helped develop techniques that would be crucial for long-distance sea travel. In a broader context, his efforts marked the beginning of European colonialism, leading to an era characterized by extensive exploration, exploitation of new territories, and competition among European powers for dominance in global trade networks.

Related terms

Caravel: A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed by the Portuguese that enabled explorers to travel long distances and navigate shallow waters.

Azores: A group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, discovered by Portuguese explorers during their expeditions, which became important for transatlantic navigation.

Treaty of Tordesillas: An agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494 that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two countries along a meridian.