In 1415, Henry, the son of King John I of Portugal, conquered the city of Ceuta at the northwest tip of Africa. Ceuta is a city located on the opposite shore of the Strait of Gibraltar from the European side. Ceuta is a city built by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC, and after that, it was under the control of Carthage and the Roman Empire, and had been in the hands of Islamic forces.
Henry, the son of King John I of Portugal
オリジナルのアップロードは英語版ウィキペディアJguk 2さん / CC BY-SA
Currently, Ceuta is a territory of Spain.
As far as I can find on the web, it is not clear which dynasty was ruling Ceuta at this time, but perhaps the various Islamic dynasties such as the Marinid dynasty and the Nasrid dynasty were vying for power.
At this point, the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, an Islamic force, was barely surviving on the Iberian Peninsula, and the situation was such that the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Gibraltar was not secured because the opposite shore, Ceuta, was also held by Islamic forces. This is because there was a possibility that trade ships could be attacked by Islamic forces.
King John I decided to conquer Ceuta. If he could conquer Ceuta, the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Gibraltar could be secured. It could also be used as a trading base for Portugal. The momentum to conquer Ceuta gradually increased throughout Portugal.
The scenery of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Portugal is located at the western end of the Iberian Peninsula, making it difficult to participate in Mediterranean trade, but it is an ideal place to go out to the Atlantic.
The "Monument of Discovery" erected in Lisbon, Portugal, to commemorate the Age of Discovery. Of course, the leader is Prince Henry the Navigator.
In terms of popularity in the country, Portugal is inferior to France, but Portugal is a famous wine-producing region. The variety of Portugal's unique grape varieties is very diverse. It is said to have the most varieties in the world.
The explanations and definitions contained in the article are not academic. It also contains a lot of personal impressions and opinions. I strive for accurate content, but I do not take any responsibility for any mistakes. Please use it after understanding.
Conquer (verb): To take control of a place or people by use of military force. For example, "Prince Henry the Navigator conquered Ceuta."
Prince (noun): The son of a monarch. For example, "Prince Henry was the son of King John I of Portugal."
Navigator (noun): A person who directs the route or course of a ship, aircraft, or other forms of transportation, especially by using instruments and maps.
City (noun): A large town. For example, "Ceuta is a city located on the opposite shore of the Strait of Gibraltar."
Northwest (noun/adjective): The point of the compass midway between north and west. For example, "Henry conquered the city of Ceuta at the northwest tip of Africa."
Tip (noun): The pointed or rounded end or extremity of something slender or tapering.
Opposite (adjective): Being in a position on the other side; facing. For example, "Ceuta is a city located on the opposite shore of the Strait of Gibraltar."
Shore (noun): The land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other large body of water.
Strait (noun): A narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two other large areas of water.
Gibraltar (noun): A British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.
Dynasty (noun): A line of hereditary rulers of a country. For example, "It is not clear which dynasty was ruling Ceuta at this time."
Islamic (adjective): Relating to Islam.
Forces (noun): Groups of people who have the power to change something.
Territory (noun): An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state. For example, "Currently, Ceuta is a territory of Spain."
Spain (noun): A country in Southwestern Europe.
Web (noun): The internet.
Kingdom (noun): A country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen.
Granada (noun): A city in southern Spain in the Andalusia region.
Surviving (verb): Continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.
Iberian Peninsula (noun): A peninsula in Southwest Europe, occupied by Spain and Portugal.
