John Cabot: February 2017

Saturday 18 February 2017

Date of Birth and Death

John Cabot, known as Giovanni Caboto in Italy, was born in Genoa approximately in 1450. He became a Venetian citizen in 1476.

The exact date of John Cabot's death is unknown but it was determined to have been in the years 1498-1499, as it was believed that one of his ships had endured a storm when it was found in Ireland during that time period.

Country of Origin

John Cabot originated from Genoa, Italy. Cabot was believed to have moved to Venice around 1461, but did not become a citizen until 1476. In 1495, Cabot and his family moved to Bristol, England.

John Cabot sailed for England, at the appeal of King Henry VII.

Friday 17 February 2017

Expeditions

John Cabot had two official expeditions to North America. He sailed in 1497, and his successful voyage resulted in a pension of £20 from King Henry VII. His last voyage was in 1498 where he was believed to have been lost at sea with his ships. He did not return home and was presumed dead circa 1500, but recent studies have suggested that Cabot's crew survived.

Thursday 16 February 2017

Findings

Initially, King Henry VII of England sent John Cabot to sail westward as to find another route to Asia, but instead Cabot found North America.

John Cabot's first voyage took place in North America in 1497, as opposed to Asia. While in the foreign land, which he later claimed as Newfoundland for England, he and his men followed a trail that led them to a dead campfire and a carved and painted stick (meaning there were other people who inhabited the land, even if they did not have any contact with any of them). Cabot and his men departed from North America but reported of the resources they had found while in the foreign land. Cabot had noted of the tall trees that could be used for masts (an advantage for England during wars) and of the innumerable codfish in the foreign waters (lots of fish = lots of money for the English).

When Cabot and his men returned to England, the King was glad to hear of the profitable resources England could acquire. The King awarded Cabot with a cash bonus for his victorious expedition, and gave Cabot permission to follow up with a greater expedition.

Cabot embarked on a follow up voyage from Bristol to Newfoundland with five ships in 1498, but he never reached the land, or made it back home to England. His crew, including himself, and the ships were later declared lost at sea.

Wednesday 15 February 2017

Facts About John Cabot

John Cabot's ship was called the Matthew, after his wife Mattea.

The Italian word for John Cabot's original last name Caboto means "a coastal seaman"; apparently, this name was given to sailors and navigators.

He learned cartography and navigation during his time in Venice, where he apparently became interested in reaching Asia by going west instead of east.

John Cabot has a statue in Cape Bonavista, Newfoundland - it is where the government recognizes he and his crew first landed and claimed it as English land.

Bonavista is historic for Cabot's first contact with North America since the Vikings (although some say that he is second to Christopher Columbus). Bonavista was named after the words he said when he first landed in what is now Newfoundland, "O buono vista!", meaning "Oh happy sight!" in English.

Sebastian Cabot, one of John Cabot's sons, followed in his father's footsteps and also expedited to North America.

Tuesday 14 February 2017

Pictures

A portrait of John Cabot

A portrait of John Cabot's wife (Mattea) and their three sons (Sebastian, Ludovico, Sanctius)

Replica of John Cabot's ship, The Matthew

Map of John Cabot's Expeditions

John Cabot's statue in Cape Bonavista, Newfoundland

Monday 13 February 2017

Bibliography