Known as 'the Great Great' or 'the Fortunate', he consolidated royal power and his reign, marred only by persecution of the Jews, was the Golden Age of Portugal. He prepared the code of laws which bears his name and made his court a centre of chivalry, art and science. He sponsored the voyages of Vasco da Gama and others, which helped to make Portugal the first naval power of Europe and a world centre of commerce. 

Source: Leo van de Pas