When Prince Henry was 21 he attacked the Moslem port of Ceutha in North Morocco, this attack inspired him to explore the rest of Africa. He was insistent on sailing down the west coast and find the borders of the Muslim world.
Later, Prince Henry sponsored many expeditions, he gained money by collecting a 20% tax on the profits made by the voyages. These expeditions were also send to create maps of the West African coast. But he also to spread Christianity, tried to defeat Muslims, and established trade routes. Prince henry began the the Great Age of Discovery that lasted from the 15th century to the 16th century.
In the 15th century no European had sailed past Cape Bojador and returned alive, this is why the Europeans called the ocean past that point the “Sea of Darkness” Most sail men were afraid and did not want to risk their lives. However Prince Henry sent 14 expeditions there, but he was only albe to convince Gil Eannes to sail past Cape Bojador. In 1434, Gil Eannes was the first European who sailed past Cape Bojador and return. In 1435, Gil Eannes and Alfonso Goncalves Baldaya returned to Cape Bojador and explored more of the west coast of Africa.
When Prince Henry was 47 he became involved in slave trade. This was in 1441, when Antao Gonçalves brought back 12 prisoners from Rio de Ouro.
In 1455 Prince Henry sent a Venetian navigator Alvise de Cadamosto on two expeditions. On his first expedition he reached the Gambia river, and on the second expedition he reached the Geba river. There, Alvise de Cadamosto tried to trade with the Africans but he failed. This was the last navigator prince Henry saw return. Because he died in 1460, just before Diogo Gomes returned on an expedition to Cape Palmas.
Later, Prince Henry sponsored many expeditions, he gained money by collecting a 20% tax on the profits made by the voyages. These expeditions were also send to create maps of the West African coast. But he also to spread Christianity, tried to defeat Muslims, and established trade routes. Prince henry began the the Great Age of Discovery that lasted from the 15th century to the 16th century.
In the 15th century no European had sailed past Cape Bojador and returned alive, this is why the Europeans called the ocean past that point the “Sea of Darkness” Most sail men were afraid and did not want to risk their lives. However Prince Henry sent 14 expeditions there, but he was only albe to convince Gil Eannes to sail past Cape Bojador. In 1434, Gil Eannes was the first European who sailed past Cape Bojador and return. In 1435, Gil Eannes and Alfonso Goncalves Baldaya returned to Cape Bojador and explored more of the west coast of Africa.
When Prince Henry was 47 he became involved in slave trade. This was in 1441, when Antao Gonçalves brought back 12 prisoners from Rio de Ouro.
In 1455 Prince Henry sent a Venetian navigator Alvise de Cadamosto on two expeditions. On his first expedition he reached the Gambia river, and on the second expedition he reached the Geba river. There, Alvise de Cadamosto tried to trade with the Africans but he failed. This was the last navigator prince Henry saw return. Because he died in 1460, just before Diogo Gomes returned on an expedition to Cape Palmas.