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?

Question

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

Henry ran a school of navigation where maps were created.

Henry discovered how to avoid diseases common in sailing ships.

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

4.
During the Age of Exploration, the countries of Europe were looking for gold, silk, spices, lumber, land, and fur. Why were these items of importance to Europe at this time?

Europeans needed more merchandise was to increase trade along the Silk Road.

New kinds of funding were needed to repay the heavy debt that was owned to the Church.

Merchants hoped that the new goods would help to reduce inflation in Europe.

Items from far away were used by the rich in Europe to show their wealth and status.

Answer 1

Henry the Navigator was influential primarily in the following ways:

1. Patronage of Explorers: Henry financed many expeditions along the West African coast which were aimed at exploring new trade routes and expanding knowledge about the geography of the region. His financial support helped explorers undertake journeys that would lead to significant discoveries and paved the way for the Age of Discovery.

2. School of Navigation: Henry established a school of navigation at Sagres in Portugal, which became a hub for knowledge on navigation, shipbuilding, and cartography. This institution brought together the best minds of the time and facilitated advancements in navigating techniques, map-making, and maritime technology.

3. Shipbuilding Innovations: He also played a role in the development of new ship designs, such as the caravel, which was more suitable for exploration and capable of sailing in both open water and shallow coastlines.

So, the most accurate response in this context is that Henry was a patron of explorers and paid for many expeditions and Henry ran a school of navigation where maps were created.

As for the second question about the significance of gold, silk, spices, lumber, land, and fur during the Age of Exploration:

These items were important to Europe primarily because items from far away were used by the rich in Europe to show their wealth and status. The European elite desired luxury goods that were not available locally, and possessing such items was a status symbol. Additionally, the trade of these commodities was crucial for economic growth and the expansion of European power during this period.