Henry the Navigator

Worksheet Description

A long, long time ago, there was a prince named Henry from a country called Portugal. People called him “Henry the Navigator.” Now, you might think with a name like that he must have been sailing ships all over the world, but here’s a surprise: he didn’t really sail the ships himself! Instead, he was like a guide, helping and encouraging other explorers to go on adventures.

Prince Henry lived in a time when people were very curious about the world. They wanted to find new sea routes, discover new lands, and trade with faraway places. Henry was very interested in these quests. He wanted Portugal to be the leader in exploring the unknown parts of the world.

One of the most important things Henry did was set up a special school for sailors. At this school, sailors learned about navigation, map-making, and how to use new tools that helped them find their way at sea. This school brought together the smartest scientists, cartographers (that’s a fancy name for mapmakers!), and shipbuilders of the time. Because of this school, Portuguese sailors became some of the best in the world!

Henry also supported many expeditions along the west coast of Africa. Under his guidance, explorers went further down the African coast than anyone from Europe had ever gone before. They found new places, met new people, and brought back gold, silver, and other treasures. One big discovery was a route around Africa which would later help sailors get to India.