Question

Henry the Navigator never sailed the seas or traveled from from his home. Yet, this Portuguese Duke had a great impact on exploration during the 15th through 17th centuries. In what way was the Duke influential?

Henry ran a school of navigation where maps were created.

Henry built new kinds of ships for the explorers to use.

Henry was a patron of explorers and paid for many expeditions.

Henry discovered how to avoid diseases common in sailing ships.

Answer 1

Henry was a patron of explorers and paid for many expeditions.

He sponsored and organized voyages down the west coast of Africa, supported navigators and mapmakers (often said to have fostered a “school” at Sagres), and promoted improvements in ships and navigation — but he himself didn’t sail, didn’t personally build the ships, and didn’t discover cures for sailing diseases like scurvy.