Captaincy of the Portuguese Empire were developed successively, Prince Henry the Navigator instituted the Captaincy system and remained on the mainland.
The Captaincies of the Portuguese Empire were developed successively, based on the original donatario system established by King John I of Portugal in Madeira, and expanded with each successive new colony discovered. Prince Henry the Navigator instituted the Captaincy system to promote development of Portuguese discoveries, but it was in the Azores, where this system effectively functioned. The prince and his successors (the Donatarios) remained on the mainland, unable to leave the court, owing to numerous responsibilities related to the Royal Household during the period of trans-Atlantic exploration. 
