So, why did a guy who hated boats obsess over the sea? It wasn't just curiosity. It was a mix of God, gold, and glory, the unholy trinity of the 15th century. He wanted to find a way around Africa to get to the spice markets of India, cutting out the middlemen who were charging an arm and a leg for cinnamon.
He also had a serious chip on his shoulder about a guy named Ceuta. He helped capture a city in North Africa, but he felt it wasn't enough. He needed to prove that Portugal was a big, scary power. It’s the same energy as your buddy who buys a loud sports car after a bad breakup.
Prince Henry Height at Georgia Ramsey blog
His real passion was the unknown. He funded endless voyages down the coast of Africa. Sailors were terrified of the "Green Sea of Darkness", thinking the sun would melt them or sea monsters would eat them. Henry basically said, "Shut up and go look."
