King Manuel I, also known as Manuel the Fortunate, was the King of Portugal from 1495 to 1521. He is best known for his role in the Age of Discovery, during which Portugal expanded its maritime empire. Under his reign, explorers like Vasco da Gama and Pedro Álvares Cabral made significant voyages that established trade routes to India and Brazil. Manuel I was also a patron of the arts and architecture, leading to the development of the Manueline style, a unique form of late Gothic architecture. His reign saw the flourishing of Portuguese culture, including literature and exploration, which left a lasting impact on the nation’s history.