THE AGE OF DISCOVERY

Portugal’s astonishing period of conquest and exploration began in 1415 with the capture of the North African city of Ceuta. Maritime expeditions into the Atlantic and along the West African coast followed, motivated by traditional Christian hostility towards Islam and desire for commercial gain. Great riches were made from the gold and slaves taken from the Guinea coast, but the real breakthrough for Portuguese imperialism occurred in 1498 when Vasco da Gama reached India. Portugal soon controlled the Indian Ocean and the spice trade, and established an eastern capital at Goa. With Pedro Alves Cabral’s ‘discovery’ of Brazil, Portugal became a mercantile super power rivalled only by Spain.

Henry the Navigator (1394-1460)
Although he did not sail himself, Henry, the third son of Joćo I, laid the foundations for Portugal’s maritime expansion that were later built upon by Joćo II and consolidated by 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. Legend has it that he founded a great school of navigation either at Sagres or Lagos.

Vasco da Gama (c.1460-1524)
In 1498 Vasco da Gama sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and opened the sea route to India. Although the Hindu ruler of Calicut, who received him wearing diamonds and ruby rings, was not impressed by his humble offerings of cloth and wash basins, da Gama returned to Portugal with a cargo of spices. In 1502 he sailed again to India, establishing Portuguese trade routes in the Indian Ocean. Joćo III nominated him Viceroy of India in 1524, but he died of a fever soon after.

Magellan (c.1480-1521)
With Spanish funding, Portuguese sailor Fernćo de Magalhāes, known as Magellan, led the first circumnavigation of the globe (1519-1522). He was killed in the Phillipines before the voyage’s end.

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