Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Henry the Navigator

The Phoenicians and Greeks had already settled in the bay of Lagos. The Carthaginians introduced wine and olive cultivation in the 4th century BC. The Roman name Lacobriga is the first known name of the settlement. In 716 the Moors conquered Lagos. Under their rule, the city wall was renewed in the 10th century. In 1189, Dom Sancho I conquered Lagos, but three years later the Moors returned. It was not until 1241 that Dom Paio Peres Correia, with military support from German and English knightly orders, was finally able to wrest the city from the Moors. In the 15th century, Lagos' port was the starting point for numerous African expeditions undertaken by Portugal under Henry the Navigator (Dom Henrique o Navegador). He made Lagos an important base for his fleet and had the caravel developed and built here from around 1440. This new type of ship was not only seaworthy, but was also able to sail close to the wind and tack against the prevailing wind direction. From 1433 onwards, Gil Eanes set sail from Lagos several times, finally sailing beyond Cape Bojador for the first time. The cape was considered the border of the world at the time. Another sailor, Rui de Sequeira, conquered a Benin fortress called Eko in what is now Nigeria in 1472. Today Lagos, formerly Eko, is with around 16 million inhabitants much better known worldwide than its godmother in Portugal. The African voyages of Portuguese ships brought black slaves from Guinea and Senegal to Europe for the first time in modern times. In 1444, Lagos received an important slave market. Human trafficking was not banned until 1820. After the earthquake of 1755, a massive tidal wave eleven metres high devastated the city. Lagos was subsequently rebuilt and the city walls from that time still surround large parts of the old town today. Postbox

The Phoenicians and Greeks had already settled in the bay of Lagos. The Carthaginians introduced wine and olive cultivation in the 4th century BC. The Roman name Lacobriga is the first known name of the settlement. In 716 the Moors conquered Lagos. Under their rule, the city wall was renewed in the 10th century. In 1189, Dom Sancho I conquered Lagos, but three years later the Moors returned. It was not until 1241 that Dom Paio Peres Correia, with military support from German and English knightly orders, was finally able to wrest the city from the Moors. In the 15th century, Lagos' port was the starting point for numerous African expeditions undertaken by Portugal under Henry the Navigator (Dom Henrique o Navegador). He made Lagos an important base for his fleet and had the caravel developed and built here from around 1440. This new type of ship was not only seaworthy, but was also able to sail close to the wind and tack against the prevailing wind direction. From 1433 onwards, Gil Eanes set sail from Lagos several times, finally sailing beyond Cape Bojador for the first time. The cape was considered the border of the world at the time. Another sailor, Rui de Sequeira, conquered a Benin fortress called Eko in what is now Nigeria in 1472. Today Lagos, formerly Eko, is with around 16 million inhabitants much better known worldwide than its godmother in Portugal. The African voyages of Portuguese ships brought black slaves from Guinea and Senegal to Europe for the first time in modern times. In 1444, Lagos received an important slave market. Human trafficking was not banned until 1820. After the earthquake of 1755, a massive tidal wave eleven metres high devastated the city. Lagos was subsequently rebuilt and the city walls from that time still surround large parts of the old town today. Giant Snails. Mating.

The Phoenicians and Greeks had already settled in the bay of Lagos. The Carthaginians introduced wine and olive cultivation in the 4th century BC. The Roman name Lacobriga is the first known name of the settlement. In 716 the Moors conquered Lagos. Under their rule, the city wall was renewed in the 10th century. In 1189, Dom Sancho I conquered Lagos, but three years later the Moors returned. It was not until 1241 that Dom Paio Peres Correia, with military support from German and English knightly orders, was finally able to wrest the city from the Moors. In the 15th century, Lagos' port was the starting point for numerous African expeditions undertaken by Portugal under Henry the Navigator (Dom Henrique o Navegador). He made Lagos an important base for his fleet and had the caravel developed and built here from around 1440. This new type of ship was not only seaworthy, but was also able to sail close to the wind and tack against the prevailing wind direction. From 1433 onwards, Gil Eanes set sail from Lagos several times, finally sailing beyond Cape Bojador for the first time. The cape was considered the border of the world at the time. Another sailor, Rui de Sequeira, conquered a Benin fortress called Eko in what is now Nigeria in 1472. Today Lagos, formerly Eko, is with around 16 million inhabitants much better known worldwide than its godmother in Portugal. The African voyages of Portuguese ships brought black slaves from Guinea and Senegal to Europe for the first time in modern times. In 1444, Lagos received an important slave market. Human trafficking was not banned until 1820. After the earthquake of 1755, a massive tidal wave eleven metres high devastated the city. Lagos was subsequently rebuilt and the city walls from that time still surround large parts of the old town today. The church was originally called the "Church of Santo António dos Militares", as it was commissioned by the military. It was completed in 1707, destroyed in the earthquake of 1755 and rebuilt in 1769.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. When Henry the Navigator was the Governor of the Order, much money was invested into the rebuilding of the "Convento de Cristo" in flamboyant Gothic / Manueline renaissance style. Here is a refectory, where the monks had their meals.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. When Henry the Navigator was the Governor of the Order, much money was invested into the rebuilding of the "Convento de Cristo" in flamboyant Gothic / Manueline renaissance style.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. When Henry the Navigator was the Governor of the Order, much money was invested into the rebuilding of the "Convento de Cristo" in flamboyant Gothic / Manueline renaissance style.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. When Henry the Navigator was the Governor of the Order, much money was invested into the rebuilding of the "Convento de Cristo" in flamboyant Gothic / Manueline renaissance style. The spiral staircase has a mathematical elegance. Perfect!

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. When Henry the Navigator was the Governor of the Order, much money was invested into the rebuilding of the "Convento de Cristo" in flamboyant Gothic / Manueline renaissance style. The "Convento de Cristo", that towers over Tomar, has a couple of different cloisters.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. When Henry the Navigator was the Governor of the Order, much money was invested into the rebuilding of the "Convento de Cristo" in flamboyant Gothic / Manueline renaissance style. The "Convento de Cristo", that towers over Tomar, has a couple of different cloisters.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. When Henry the Navigator was the Governor of the Order, much money was invested into the rebuilding of the "Convento de Cristo" in flamboyant Gothic / Manueline renaissance style.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. The "Convento de Cristo", that towers over Tomar, has a couple of different cloisters. This one, completed in 1453, is named "Claustro da Lavagem" - "Washing Cloister". Here the lay brothers did their chores - and washed their habits.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. The "Convento de Cristo", that towers over Tomar, has a couple of different cloisters. This one, completed in 1453, is named "Claustro da Lavagem" - "Washing Cloister". Here the lay brothers did their chores - and washed their habits.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. The "Convento de Cristo" towers over Tomar. The church of the convent has a nave, erected in flamboyant Gothic "Manueline" style around 1510 - and this 12th century 16-side polygonal structure, constructed, when Gualdim Pais led the Knights Templar in Tomar. He had joined the Second Cruisade and fought for five years as a Knight Templar in "Outremer", the Crusader states. He probably brought back the blueprint of this rotunda, obviously modelled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Unfortunately in autumn 2013 the interior of the rotunda was under reconstration and renovation.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. The "Convento de Cristo" towers over Tomar. The church of the convent has a nave, erected in flamboyant Gothic "Manueline" style around 1510 - and this 12th century 16-side polygonal structure, constructed, when Gualdim Pais led the Knights Templar in Tomar. He had joined the Second Cruisade and fought for five years as a Knight Templar in "Outremer", the Crusader states. He probably brought back the blueprint of this rotunda, obviously modelled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. The "Convento de Cristo" towers over Tomar. The church of the convent has a nave, erected in flamboyant Gothic "Manueline" style around 1510 - and this 12th century 16-side polygonal structure, constructed, when Gualdim Pais led the Knights Templar in Tomar. He had joined the Second Cruisade and fought for five years as a Knight Templar in "Outremer", the Crusader states. He probably brought back the blueprint of this rotunda, obviously modelled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. The "Convento de Cristo" towers over Tomar. The fortification was already end of the 12th century strong enough to resist the army of caliph Abu Yusuf al-Mansur.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. The "Convento de Cristo" towers over Tomar. The fortification was already end of the 12th century strong enough to resist the army of caliph Abu Yusuf al-Mansur.

Tomar today is a modern city with a population of about 40.000. After the conquest of the area from the Moors by Portugal´s first king Afonso Henriques in 1147, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, who erected the castle/monastery "Convento de Cristo" here, that later became the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order, granted priviliges to the evolving town already in 1162. After the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed in 1314 King Dinis was able to transfer the possessions and personnel of the Order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. In the 15th century Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order. He was the central figure in the early days of the European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion, later known as the "Age of Discovery", and he may have used resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. Many refugees settled in Tomar, what helped the town to develop. Jews lived here undisturbed for several decades until the Portuguese Inquisition got installed. Many could escape by migrating, but about 1000 were tortured and executed. Tomar was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic invasions and was liberated by Portuguese and English troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington. The church "São João Batista", was erected in the 15th and 16th century, sponsored by King Manuel I, after whom the flamboyant Gothic style (see the portal) is named "Manueline" in Portugal.