Kingship and Favoritism in the Spain of Philip III, 1598-1621. Antonio Feros
were excluded from trade with Henry's Atlantic islands or Guinea, except for the hated Castilians. In the period after Henrys death, secrecy and exclusivity would become the norm with the Portuguese, the Spanish, and later the Dutch. Russell concludes that Henry's work led to the establishment of an overseas Portuguese empire that would last for centuries. Since Prince Henry only voyaged to Africa twice (both short trips to the Ceuta area) and along the Portuguese coast, Russell refrains throughout his book from calling him "the Navigator." He also points out that there is no evidence that a navigational school existed at the Sagres (Algarve). Russell also stresses that the horoscope cast by an astrologer at Henry's birth shows that he was "predestined to devote himself both to making 'great and noble conquests and to the uncovering of secrets previously hidden from men'" (15). Henry's motto was "a hunger to perform worthy deeds" (23). His horoscope and his motto had a continuing impact on Henry for the rest of his life. Although he was the third son of King John I of Portugal and Queen Philippa, the daughter of John of Gaunt, Henry was the king's favorite son. From the moment that he won his spurs at age twenty-one with the conquest of the Moorish North African Fort of Ceuta in 1415, Henry seemed to live a charmed life. No matter how many setbacks Henry endured, especially the defeat of his Portuguese forces at Tangier in 1437, he seemed to escape blame and thus appears as a "Teflon" prince in Russell's evaluation of Henry's popularity in Portugal. Professor Russell makes so many major points that it is difficult to cover them all in a brief review. A close reading of this brilliant study will reward all who are interested in the opening of the Atlantic through exploration and trade as well as the development of future imperialism and colonization. RAND BURNETTE MacMurray College