Before Columbus, before Vespucci, before Drake, there was Henry the Navigator.
Pirate hunter, intrepid explorer, ship designer, and more, Henry was one of the great innovators in the age of discovery. Born in 1394, he was the third son of King John I and Queen Philippa.
Following his mother’s death, Prince Henry, along with his father and elder brothers, set out to conquer Ceuta. Once successfully captured, this pirate haven became the first European base established in Africa. A period followed where occupation and colonization of the island began. This was the beginning of the discovery of Africa.
The scope of Henry’s contribution to our world is often overshadowed by other figures. But Bradford brings the gripping tale of this pioneer to light. In his lifetime, Henry helped break the sea barriers that separate the continents. Rising above scorn and ridicule, he initiated an era of audacious exploration to lands most didn’t believe existed. His courage and forward thinking would forever change the course of history.
