Prince Henry the Navigator was a Portuguese royal born in 1394, known for his significant role in the early days of the Age of Exploration. He was not a navigator himself but sponsored many expeditions along the West African coast, aiming to find new trade routes and expand Portugal's influence. Under his patronage, explorers like Gil Eanes and Bartolomeu Dias made important discoveries, including the Azores and the Cape of Good Hope. His efforts laid the groundwork for the later voyages of Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama, ultimately leading to the establishment of a global maritime empire for Portugal.