Henry the Navigator by NunoF
Although he didn't sail himself, Henrique (Henry) (1394-1460), the third son of King Joćo I, laid the foundations for Portugal's maritime expantion that were latter built upon by King Joćo II and consolidated by King Manuel I. As Master of the wealthy Order of Christ and Governor of the Algarve, Henry was able to finance expeditions along the African coast.
By the time he died he had a monopoly on all trade south of Cape Bojador. The legend tells that he founded a great school of navigation either at Sagres (see also my page) or Lagos. %f