The Portuguese prince Enrique the Mariner made many geographical discoveries, although he himself went to sea only three times. It marked the beginning of an era of great geographical discoveries and greatly improved the situation of Portugal.
Origin
The ancestor of Enrique the Mariner, Henry (Enrique), became the first Portuguese count, having won the title in 1095 in the fight against the Moors - Arabs and Berbers who profess Islam, who occupied northwestern Africa and part of Europe. The founder 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, were replaced 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, besieging Lisbon from land and sea. The military campaign during which Juan fought bravely was a success. Later, he increasingly strengthened power and as a result became a full-fledged ruler.
Joan first sat on the throne for almost half a century. In addition, he led the order of chivalry, although usually this role goes to the son of the king. It was John (Joan, Joan) who first laid the foundation for the development of open spaces 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 knightly virtues: horseback riding, poetry, fencing, hunting, swimming, and playing checkers. Enrique was most interested in military art, although he did not neglect natural science and theology. Chivalry determined the entire future existence of the prince.
The interests of the colonizer
The personality of Prince Enrique the Navigator combined the interests of a colonialist, explorer, missionary and crusader. At the age of 21, he participated in the battle of Ceuta, which later became a trading settlement. Henry (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 the colonies of Portugal was at an unprecedented pace. In just one year, the territories added twice as much as in the previous two decades. The Portuguese reached the western edge of the continent - Cape Verde.
Enrique Researcher
But a much greater contribution was made by Henry the Navigator (Prince Enrique) as a researcher. Even after the defense of Ceuta, he learned from liberated slaves that caravans of gold were tirelessly walking in the African desert. The prince, who was familiar with geography, understood that places where huge treasures were concentrated could be reached by sea. In addition, he understood that in the same way you can reach Ethiopia and start trading with it, and then reach India itself.
Enrique the Mariner immediately set about preparing and equipping marine expeditions to the shores of Africa. He founded navigation and nautical schools and observatories, and added astronomy and mathematics to the course of the University of Lisbon. For Catholic Portugal of the Middle Ages, it was very unusual that everyone was welcome to the school of sailors, regardless of religious affiliation, estate or ethnic differences. Until now, a huge rose of winds has been preserved in the fortress, where the school was once located.
Position of Portugal
For Portugal at that time, the search for the sea route to India, a source of spices and other jewelry, was important. 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 economically unprofitable. The geographical position of the country, however, favored discoveries.
Key Discoveries
Enrique the Mariner considered his main business to be a thorough analysis of the reports of the captains and the ability to distinguish truth from fiction. Since 1419, he constantly equipped expeditions, and sailors, inspired by the support of the king, participated in the discovery of Madeira, the Azores and the 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 live behind the cape, and the scorching sun will destroy any ship that dares to sail in those waters. But Prince Henry Enrique the Navigator, whose discoveries proved the possibility of research to the whole world, neglected these tales.
Sailors began to swim regularly over Cape Nun. The expeditions equipped by Enrique the Mariner discovered capes Bohador, Cabo Blanco there, explored the Senegal and Gambia rivers. They moved farther and farther, returning with gold. On open lands, the Portuguese erected strongholds. Soon, the first batches of slaves began to be sent from there.
Understanding how important the development of shipbuilding was in geographical discoveries, Enrique invited the best craftsmen to Portugal. Ships then were not fast enough for long trips, and this had to be changed. When Enrique created a caravel with slanting sails, which could go quickly and almost independently 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 the pirates or simply considered it an insult to stay among the sailors. Most likely, the prince simply considered it his business to analyze the reports of sailors and to manage the equipment of new campaigns.
Missionary work
The biography of Prince Enrique the Navigator is not limited only to geographical discoveries, although they made up its most significant part. As a knight, Enrique actively spread Christianity among the conquered peoples. He was a master of the Order of Christ and participated in several campaigns against Arabs living in northern Africa.
Prince's Legacy
After the death of Henry (Enrique), the active advance of the Portuguese towards the south slowed significantly. But it was the activity of this person that laid the main pillars of the marine and colonial power of Portugal. Enrique was not alien to political intrigues, but in military affairs success was not always on his side.
Personal life
The prince has never been married. He was gloomy and very reserved, blamed himself for the death of his younger brother, who died in an unsuccessful voyage in 1437. In recent years, Prince Enrique the Navigator spent in the walls of his own built school. 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, was buried in the chapel of the monastery.