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'''Henry the Navigator''' (1394-1460, in Portuguese '''Henrique o Navegador''') was a prince of [[Portugal]], third son of John I. He won acclaim in a series of campaigns against the [[Moors]] in [[Morocco]]; however he is famous for his support for, and patronage of, the seamen who made the many voyages of discovery down the west coast of [[Africa]] in attempts to find a sea route to [[India]].

'''Henry the Navigator''' (1394-1460, in Portuguese '''Henrique o Navegador''') was a prince of [[Portugal]], third son of John I. He won acclaim in a series of campaigns against the [[Moors]] in [[Morocco]]; however he is famous for his support for, and patronage of, the seamen who made the many voyages of discovery down the west coast of [[Africa]] in attempts to find a sea route to [[India]].

His inspiration led to the rediscovery (and subsequent colonization) of Madeira (1420) and the Azores (1427). By 1444 one of his captains had rounded Cape Blanco and explored the beginnings of sub-Saharan Africa. Slaves and gold were brought back to Portugal, and suddenly the voyages became profitable. Captains were now less afraid to leave the coast so avoiding shoals and reefs and unfavourable currents that sweep up the coast of Africa. In 1456 the [[Cape Verde Islands]], 600 km off the coast of Africa,  were discovered. By the time of his death, in spite of his ban on the kidnapping of Africans for the [[slave]] trade, the business was booming, and his captains were starting to push down past what is now [[Sierra Leone]].

His inspiration led to the rediscovery (and subsequent colonization) of Madeira (1420) and the Azores (1427). By 1444 one of his captains had rounded Cape Blanco and explored the beginnings of sub-Saharan Africa. Slaves and gold were brought back tovasc Portugal, and suddenly the voyages became profitable. Captains were now less afraid to leave the coast so avoiding shoals and reefs and unfavourable currents that sweep up the coast of Africa. In 1456 the [[Cape Verde Islands]], 600 km off the coast of Africa,  were discovered. By the time of his death, in spite of his ban on the kidnapping of Africans for the [[slave]] trade, the business was booming, and his captains were starting to push down past what is now [[Sierra Leone]].

His inspiration outlived him. In 1488 [[Bartholomew Diaz]] rounded Cape of Good Hope, and about ten years later [[Vasco de Gama]] reached India.  

His inspiration outlived him. In 1488 [[Bartholomew Diaz]] rounded Cape of Good Hope, and about ten years later [[Vasco da Gama]] reached India.  

He based himself at Sagres on the southwest tip of Portugal where he built a naval arsenal and observatory. He brought in experts from [[Europe]] and beyond, [[Arab]]s and [[Jew]]s; mathematicians and geographers, [[ship]] builders and cartographers. His captains went to sea with the best ships of the era, and with as much knowledge as was available.

He based himself at Sagres on the southwest tip of Portugal where he built a naval arsenal and observatory. He brought in experts from [[Europe]] and beyond, [[Arab]]s and [[Jew]]s; mathematicians and geographers, [[ship]] builders and cartographers. His captains went to sea with the best ships of the era, and with as much knowledge as was available.