PArt ii: DiD PriNCe heNry eArN the right tO the SObriquet, “the NAvigAtOr”? — FrOM the iON hiStOriAN, MArviN MAy Henry the Navigator & Early 15th Century European Exploration The first part of this column addressed the discoveries of the Portuguese maritime explorations — under the sponsorship of Prince Henry — from 1420 to 1460. In this concluding part of the series we focus more on Prince Henry himself. As is often the case in chronicling history, there are varying interpretations Statue of Henry the Navigator (in Portugal dos Pequenitos theme park in Coimbra, Portugal). Photo: Wikimedia Commons. of the contributions of individuals, and hat can we expect from the only (known by his Portuguese title as Infante Wperson in history labeled “The Dom Henrique) to have invented naviga- such is the case with Navigator”? Perhaps interpreting Prince tional instruments and techniques, written Henry’s accomplishments are unfairly treatises and published memoirs, demon- Prince Henry. biased by expectations, particularly among strated seagoing skills, and surrounded those of us in navigation. himself with learned scientists engaged in One might expect Henry the Navigator advanced astronomy and navigation. ION Newsletter 6 Spring 2010 Indeed, some chroniclers of Prince of Henry’s profits came from capturing Henry the Navigator died in 1460. Henry do indeed attribute some of these Africans and bringing them back to Europe The exploration of the African coast accomplishments to him: most frequently to be sold off at the quayside of Seville or was continued by private ventures after crediting Henry with founding a famous other slave markets in the Mediterranean. his death but it was not carried out with school of navigation that attracted the In the 15th century, however, slavery the same enthusiasm as when it had royal leading cartographers, astronomers, was regarded as an acceptable activity support. In 1473 Lopo Goncalves crossed geographers, instrument makers and necessary for a flourishing economy by the equator. In 1487 Bartholomew Dias seamen of his time. Europeans, Africans, Asians, and religious was the first European to take his ship Unfortunately, there are no contem- authorities alike. around the southernmost point of the porary records of Henry’s personal African continent. navigation accomplishments, nor Finally, in 1497, another did he ever command a ship. Even Portuguese expedition his affiliation with the navigation commandeered by Vasco de Gama school at Sagres appears to have rounded the Cape of Good Hope been mentioned for the first time and in May 1498 consummated by a 17th century British historian. the Portuguese goals of a maritime The 19th/20th century Portuguese passage to India. Of course, around historian Duarte Leite speaks this time other powers were scornfully of the Sagres story saying, convinced that a sea passage from “Among the numerous legends Europe to India and the Orient which embellish our history, this one might be discovered by exploring to stands out for two characteristics: it the west instead of the east around is exotic, having come from England Africa, and some thought that the via France, and it contains not one western passage might turn out to be whit of truth whatever in essentials the shorter route. or details.” The English colonial powers So, what made Henry such a vital eventually benefited the most from force during Portuguese maritime early Portuguese explorations. In dominance? due time, they remembered that Third in line among the legitimate Henry was, after all, the son of an sons of King Joao himself, Henry Englishwoman, and they gave him was energetic, ambitious, and com- the title of “navigator.” municative and lost no opportunity Henry the royal prince never to promote himself and Portuguese Casa do Infante (House of the Royal Prince), birthplace of Henry the actually took command of a ship, exploration. Navigator in Oporto, Portugal Photo: Wikimedia Commons. but he was the main force behind In 1420, at the age of 26, Henry new ventures in seafaring. By was made grand master of the Order his efforts, Portugal came to the of Christ, a Catholic award of honor of the Henry controlled more wealth in Por- forefront of exploration during his lifetime highest possible standing sponsored by the tugal than any other man with the possible and for several generations after him. Pope, which had replaced the crusading exception of the King himself. He acquired Portions of this article were excerpted order of the Knights of Templar in Portugal. the Madeiras, the Azores, the Cape Verdes; from Peter Laughton, Voyages that Like all promoters of exploration of he held monopolies on dye and soap Changed the World, Quercus Publishing, his time, his main quest was for gold and manufacturing, on river and tuna fish- London, 2007, and from Bailey W. Diffie spices. Gold was the commercial incentive, ing, on fishing in the Atlantic and African et. al, Foundations of the Portuguese yet Henry also took his religious responsi- coasts, and on coral gathering. Henry’s Empire, 1415-1480, University of bilities seriously and was keen to spread the leadership in exploration was only part of Minnesota Press, USA, 1977. u Christian gospel to the people of Africa. his wide-ranging interests associated with The evangelical motive was the reason his family and country. Marvin B. May is the chief scientist why all of Henry’s ships bore a red cross He did not need to design ships, train at Pennsylvania State University’s on their sails; the explorers saw themselves sailors, educate pilots, or draw charts. Navigation Research and Development as crusaders to the non-Christian world. All of these skills and resources were Center, Warminster, Pennsylvania. By today’s standards, this evangelical spirit under his command and he enabled them was contradicted by the fact that much to flourish. ION Newsletter 7 Spring 2010.