1-156-349 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Henry the Navigator, Portuguese prince and founder of a school of navigation, 15th century. From his base at Sagres in the Algarve, Henry (1394-1460) sponsored voyages of discovery into the Atlantic, discovering and colonising Madeira, the Azores and the Cape Verde Islands, as well as exploring the west coast of Africa. His school of navigation developed the vessel known as the Portuguese caravel, as well as improving cartography and navigational instruments and techniques.