Henry the Navigator

4 March 1394 – 13 November 1460

Henry the Navigator (1394-1460) was a Portuguese prince, the fourth son of King John I, who became the central patron of the early Portuguese Age of Discovery. He sponsored voyages that explored the Atlantic islands and the west coast of Africa, laying the foundations for Portugal's maritime empire. Though he rarely sailed himself, his patronage advanced navigation, cartography, and shipbuilding.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Henry the Navigator.

Life events

Born in Porto, Portugal
4 March 1394

Henry was born in Porto as the fourth son of King John I of Portugal and Philippa of Lancaster.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Participated in the Portuguese conquest of Ceuta
21 August 1415

Henry took part in the capture of the North African port of Ceuta, an event that spurred his interest in African exploration.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Sponsored the rediscovery and settlement of Madeira
c. 1419

Voyages sponsored by Henry led to the rediscovery of the Madeira archipelago and the beginning of its colonization.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Appointed Grand Master administrator of the Order of Christ
1420

Henry became administrator of the Order of Christ, whose resources helped fund his exploration ventures.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Sponsored voyages that discovered the Azores
c. 1427

Expeditions under Henry's patronage reached the Azores islands, which Portugal subsequently colonized.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Gil Eanes rounded Cape Bojador under Henry's sponsorship
1434

After many failed attempts, Henry's captain Gil Eanes passed Cape Bojador, opening the West African coast to further exploration.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Took part in the failed expedition against Tangier
1437

Henry helped lead a disastrous Portuguese attack on Tangier, after which his brother Fernando was left as a hostage.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Settled near Sagres in the Algarve
c. 1443

Henry established his household in the far southwest of Portugal, traditionally associated with a school of navigation at Sagres.

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Died at Sagres, Portugal
13 November 1460

Henry died in his town near Cape St. Vincent; by then Portuguese ships had explored the African coast as far as present-day Sierra Leone.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓