Henry (Enrique) Navigator (born March 4, 1394 - death November 13, 1460) - Portuguese prince (Duke of Viseu, ruler of the Algarve, Master of the Order of Christ), son of King João I. Great traveler, explorer, colonizer. For 40 years, he equipped and sent numerous sea expeditions to explore the Atlantic coast of Africa, creating the preconditions for the formation of a powerful colonial empire of Portugal.
What is Heinrich the Navigator known for
The Portuguese Prince Henry can rightfully be considered one of the most significant figures of the early era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, who went down in history under the name of Henry the Navigator. This kind of nickname, given to a man who has never made a single sea voyage, could hardly be considered deserved if it were not for his unique contribution to the development of marine research, which resulted in the discovery of the entire north-western coast of Africa and the emergence of Portugal to the forefront frontiers of colonial expansion through geographical discoveries.
Perhaps thanks to his efforts, Portugal was the first of the European states to purposefully carry out sea expeditions to establish trade relations with African and Asian countries, as well as to find new routes to India, where spices that were popular in Europe and brought huge profits grew in abundance.
Origin. early years
The third son of King João the Great of Portugal and Philip of Lancaster was born in 1394. Ever since childhood, he heard stories and legends about the wars with the Moors and mysterious Africa. At that time, the Europeans knew only its northern part, but this was enough for the prince to have a great interest in the lands lying south of Europe.
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Capture of the fortress of Ceuta
1415 - the young man took part in the siege of the Moroccan fortress of Ceuta, where he showed extraordinary courage. With a handful of people, he twice dispersed the crowds of the attacking Muslims and still managed to take possession of the gates of the inner wall between the lower city and the citadel. The monarch decided that for the displayed valor of Enrique, the first of his sons would be knighted. However, the prince asked that "those who are older than him may exercise their right to be the first in honor also." As a result, all princes received knighthood in order of birth. In their hands were swords, which the queen gave them on her deathbed, escorting her sons to battle.
The prince was given the opportunity of an easy and pleasant life at the court of any European sovereign, where he would spend time among the pleasures in a crowd of many admirers. So did his brother Pedro, who later received the nickname Traveler, although all his travels were usually limited to royal courts. But the prince chose to lead the life of a scientist and travel organizer for the good of Portugal.
Research. Political activity
Realizing the importance of scientific knowledge, Enrique erected a palace at Cape Sagres (present-day San Vicente) in the Algarve province, the extreme southwestern point of Portugal and all of Europe. Soon, a whole city was formed around him, in honor of the Infante, called "Vila do Infanti". Thanks to Prince Pedro, who collected travel books and maps throughout Europe for his brother, a library appeared here. With the help of the Italians - the best sailors of the era - the prince was able to set up an astronomical observatory, as well as the world's first sailing school and naval arsenal. Scientists, astronomers, navigators, experts in navigation instruments were invited here. The most accurate maps at that time were made here.
The prince lived on Sagres for 40 years, until his death, and during this time he was distracted only twice by solving the political problems of Portugal, although he enjoyed a reputation as a judge for national disputes, a people's leader and teacher. He spent all his time in research. He himself drew maps, made instruments, equipped ships, received reports from captains.
Characterizing the personal qualities of the Infante Henry, it should be noted the difficulties that he had to face as an organizer of expeditions into the unknown.
In those days, it was believed that the west coast of Africa was inaccessible for research: it was assumed that the border of the known world was the Nun (“No” - “There is no way further”) or Bohador (“Convex”) capes and that they were supposedly protected by sea currents and winds, which will certainly carry the ships far from the coast to the "Sea of Green Gloom", from where there is no return. The tropical zone was also considered unfit for habitation, where the sun burns all living things, and people, when approaching this belt, turn black or die from the heat.
Despite this, the prince encouraged researchers in every possible way to overcome imaginary and real obstacles and was able to achieve significant results in this, acting in the most difficult initial period of Portuguese expansion, which the state owed to him.
The struggle of the Christian states of the Iberian Peninsula with the Moors, apparently, influenced the strategy and tactics of Henry's actions. By the decision of the Pope since 1420, the Grand Master (Master) of the Order of Christ, who fought against Moorish influence and the spread of Christianity, he initially sought to establish ties with the state of "King-Priest John", to unite efforts in the fight against Islam. According to the ideas of that time, it was necessary to look for it in "African India" - Ethiopia. In addition, during the war with the Moors in 1415, Henry in Morocco collected some information about Inner Africa, including the trade in gold between the inhabitants of the Guinean coast and the Arabs. Portugal's victory for gold promised clear benefits. According to the prince, there should have been a way to India beyond the Gold Coast,where the Portuguese could acquire huge estates. So, Africa became the place that Enrique intended to explore in the first place.
Contribution to the maritime business
In 1412 or 1416, the first expedition set out to explore the west coast of Morocco. The ships reached Cape Bohador, but returned, frightened by the inconstancy of currents, winds and shoals, considering all this to be the intrigues of the demons of the storm. But in 1434, sent by the prince, Gilles Eannis was able to overcome the terrible cape and return with the news that sailing was possible behind it. As a gift to Enrique, he brought roses, which served as proof that the country beyond the cape is not devoid of vegetation. Over the next two years, Heinrich moved another 290 miles south.
War. Capture brother
1437 - Travels were interrupted due to the war against Tangier. The prince led the Portuguese troops, but, despite the displayed valor, he did not succeed in taking the well-fortified city. Moreover, the prince's younger brother, Fernando, remained in the hands of the Moors as a hostage. The enemy demanded in exchange for his freedom to return Mr. Ceuta. The prince himself wanted to stay with the Moors, but the army, who saw in him the only support, opposed, and Enrique reluctantly was forced to retreat. All his further attempts to free his brother did not lead to anything. The Portuguese could not afford the loss of Ceuta and chose to sacrifice the prince. Fernando died in captivity in 1443.
Research is ongoing. Discoveries. Death
Finally, affairs of state allowed the prince to return to Sagres. 1441 - the voyages were resumed and from that time they were carried out regularly. Their result was the exploration of the entire northwest coast of Africa, including the discovery of the mouth of Senegal and Cape Verde, which was the greatest surprise of that era. It was believed that there could be no vegetation on either side of the equator due to high temperatures. Therefore, the scarce vegetation of the cape, which stood out favorably against the background of the deserts, awakened hope for the proximity of the southern tip of the continent. With even greater energy, the captains rushed, sent by Heinrich the Navigator, in search of her. But the prince was not destined to wait for this discovery. He died on November 13, 1460 in the palace he created on Sagres and was buried in the monastery of St. Maria da Batalha.
Heinrich equipped his first sea expedition in the nineteenth year of the 15th century. He annexed a whole group of islands to Portugal:
• Madeira
• Azores
• Cape Verde Islands
Portuguese sailors were the first among Europeans who were able to bypass Cape Nun. Then it was considered impassable, because all ships sank on the way to it. In this regard, many legends were born about sea monsters that devour people. The prince was able to bypass the cape and erected several fortresses on the Guinean coast.
In the year of Enrique's death, the journey of Bartolomeu Dias, who circled Africa from the south in 1488, was almost 30 years away. But both this and the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco da Gama, which gave a powerful impetus to the development of the planet, would have been impossible without the tremendous work of Henry the Navigator, whose mind and will drove the Portuguese captains further and further south to unknown shores.
Interesting Facts
In world history, Heinrich the Navigator is also known from the negative side. 1442 - he approved the actions of Antan Gonsalves, who first brought Negro slaves from Rio de Oro, and as a result he initiated the slave trade. However, in this case, too, he was guided by noble motives, believing that blacks should be brought to Portugal only for a while, for conversion to Christianity, and then returned to their homeland. And yet, the result of these considerations cast a shadow on his name, but made it possible for Portugal to acquire the right, granted by Pope Eugene IV, to the pagan lands discovered during travels beyond Cape Bohador, including India. To a large extent, this, as well as the discovery of a gold deposit on the African coast, contributed to the revitalization of the sea voyages of the Portuguese in the 15th century.
• Throughout his life, Henry went to sea three times.
• He blamed himself for the death of his younger brother, who was captured.
• He never married and devoted himself to the study of maritime affairs.
• In the nautical school opened by the prince, absolutely everyone was accepted, regardless of class.
The Portuguese keep the memory of Henry the Navigator sacred. Back in the 18th century, at the gates of his fortress-palace on Sagres, a marble monument was erected with the image of the Portuguese coat of arms, a caravel and a globe sailing on all sails with the inscription: “Aeternum sacrum” (“Sacred forever”).