On Madeira vines from Burgundy were planted, and to this day form the chief industry of the island.

In 1435 Cape Bojador was passed, and in 1441 Cape Branco discovered.

Two years later Cape Verde was reached and passed by Nuno Tristao, and for the first time there were signs that the African coast trended eastward.

By this time Prince Henry's men had become familiar with the natives along the shore and no less than one thousand of them had been brought back and distributed among the Portuguese nobles as pages and attendants.

In 1455 a Venetian, named Alvez Cadamosto, undertook a voyage still farther south for purposes of trade, the Prince supplying the capital, and covenanting for half profits on results.