Portuguese Prince Enrique the Navigator made many geographical discoveries, although he himself went to sea only three times. He initiated the era of great geographical discoveries and significantly improved the position of Portugal.
Origin
The ancestor of Enrique the Navigator, Henry (Enrique), became the first Portuguese count, having won the title in 1095 in the fight against the Moors - Arabs and Berbers who professed Islam, who occupied northwestern Africa and part of Europe. The ancestor of the ruling house was a relative of the Duke of Burgundy and representatives of the Hungarian Arpad dynasty, but there is no documentary evidence of this version.
The Kingdom of Portugal was founded in 1139. The ruling dynasties, which were related to each other, changed from time to time, which was always accompanied by a bloody war. The beginning of the next period in the history of the ruling house was given by Father Enrique - Joan (Joan, John). During the change of power, he invaded Portugal, laying siege to Lisbon by land and sea. The military campaign, during which João fought bravely, was successful. Later, he increasingly consolidated power and inAs a result, he became a full ruler.
Joan first sat on the throne for almost half a century. In addition, he headed the order of chivalry, although this role usually goes to the son of the king. It was John (Joan, Juan) who first laid the foundation for the development of the sea and new lands, but his son, Prince Enrique the Navigator, achieved real success in this field.
As a child, the boy and his brothers were taught the virtues of chivalry: riding, writing poetry, fencing, hunting, swimming, playing checkers. Most of all, Enrique was interested in military art, although he did not neglect natural science and theology. Chivalry and determined the entire further existence of the prince.
Interests of the colonizer
The personality of Prince Enrique the Navigator combined the interests of a colonizer, explorer, missionary and crusader. Already at the age of 21, he participated in the Battle of Ceuta, which later became a trading post. Heinrich (Enrique, Enrique) The navigator also settled in Lagos in the south of the country, Sagres, where he opened observatories and navigation schools.
During the years of Enrique's reign, the expansion of Portugal's colonies proceeded at an unprecedented pace. In just one year, twice as many territories were added as in the previous two decades. The Portuguese reached the western edge of the continent - Cape Verde.
Enrique the explorer
But a much greater contribution was made by Henry the Navigator (Prince Enrique) as an explorer. Even after the defense of Ceuta, he learned from the liberatedslaves that caravans with gold tirelessly go through the African desert. The prince, who was familiar with geography, understood that places where huge treasures are concentrated can be reached by sea. In addition, he understood that in the same way it was possible to reach Ethiopia and start trading with it, and then go all the way to India.
Enrique the Navigator immediately started preparing and equipping sea expeditions to the coast of Africa. He founded navigational and nautical schools and observatories, added astronomy and mathematics to the course of the university in Lisbon. For Catholic Portugal during the Middle Ages, it was very unusual that everyone was accepted to the school of sailors, regardless of religious affiliation, class or ethnic differences. Until now, a huge wind rose has been preserved in the fortress, where the school was once located.
Position of Portugal
For Portugal of that time, it was important to find a sea route to India - a source of spices and other treasures. The country was located far from the main trade routes and could not participate in international trade. At that time, Portugal could receive goods from the East only at a very high price, which, of course, was completely unprofitable economically. The geographical position of the country, however, favored discovery.
Main discoveries
His main business Enrique the Navigator considered a thorough analysis of the captains' reports and the ability to distinguish truth from fiction. Since 1419, he constantly equipped expeditions, andnavigators, inspired by the support of the king, participated in the discovery of Madeira, the Azores and Cape Verde. And this at a time when Europeans considered Cape Nun on the coast where Morocco is now located, the extreme point of the world. It was said that terrible sea monsters lived beyond the cape, and the scorching sun would destroy any ship that dared to swim in those waters. But Prince Heinrich Enrique the Navigator, whose discoveries proved the possibility of exploration to the whole world, neglected these tales.
Sailors began regularly sailing beyond Cape Noon. Expeditions equipped by Enrique the Navigator discovered capes Bojador and Cabo Blanco there, explored the Senegal and Gambia rivers. They moved further and further, returning with gold. On open lands, the Portuguese built strongholds. Soon the first shipments of slaves began to be sent from there.
Understanding how important the development of shipbuilding is in geographical discoveries, Enrique invited the best craftsmen to Portugal. Ships then were not fast enough for long-distance travel, and this needed to be changed. Under Enrique, a caravel with slanting sails was created, which could go quickly and almost regardless of the direction of the wind. Under the leadership of Enrique, a lot of geographical discoveries were made, but he himself went to sea only three times. It was rumored that he was afraid of pirates or simply considered it an insulting fact to be among the sailors. Most likely, the prince simply considered it his business to analyze the reports of sailors and supervise the equipment of newhikes.
Missionary work
The biography of Prince Enrique the Navigator is not limited to geographical discoveries alone, although they made up the most significant part of it. As a knight, Enrique actively spread Christianity among the conquered peoples. He was a master of the Order of Christ and participated in some campaigns against the Arabs living in northern Africa.
The Prince's Legacy
After the death of Henry (Enrique), the active advance of the Portuguese in the south slowed down significantly. But it was the activity of this man that laid the main pillars of the maritime and colonial power of Portugal. Enrique was not a stranger to political intrigues, but in military affairs success was not always on his side.
Private life
Prince never married. He was gloomy and very restrained, blaming himself for the death of his younger brother, who died on an unsuccessful sea voyage in 1437. Prince Enrique the Navigator spent his last years within the walls of a school built by himself. He was surrounded by students. A couple of years before his death, Enrique went to sea for the third time, but for a very short time. Prince Henry died in 1460 and was buried in the monastery chapel.
