Prince Henry the Navigator, the Hero of Portugal and of Modern Discovery, 1394-1460 A.D. With an Account of Geographical Progress Throughout the Middle Ages As the Preparation for His Work.

"Prince Henry the Navigator, the Hero of Portugal and of Modern Discovery" by C. Raymond Beazley is a historical biography that unpacks the life and legacy of Prince Henry of Portugal, a key figure in the Age of Discovery. It focuses on his role in backing voyages down the African coast, while also painting a picture of how geographical knowledge grew in the Middle Ages. The book starts with a preface that lays out its plan to explore both Henry's life and the earlier growth of geographical understanding. It draws a line through Christian Europe to show how exploration developed over time, portraying Prince Henry’s work as a major shift in this story. The writing highlights Henry's important impact on sea exploration and European understanding of the world, particularly his contributions to improving the skills and methods used in sea travel.