JOHN CABOT

WHO WAS JOHN CABOT_

Little is known about John Cabot's life, character, and personality. Juan Caboto, as he was called, was initially a resident in Venice for fifteen years, and after consideration of his probation he was admitted to citizenship in the Republic. John Cabot's birthplace is a controversial issue since both Venice and Genoa claim the honours. John Cabot had two sons, one of whom was called Sebastian. Sebastian accompanied his father on his first successful journey with the Matthew (named after Mattea, John Cabot's wife). Sebastian was also to become well known for his expeditions since in 1508 he sailed in search of the Cathay passing through Labrador, Newfoundland and probably the New England Coast.

But, how did John Cabot and his family find themselves in England_ There are three possible reasons for this. John Cabot initially approached merchants from Lisbon and Seville, seeking support for his plans for exploration -but failed. While he was there, news broke that a discovery of the 'Isle of Brazil' had been made by venturers from Bristol in England. The final contributing factor could have been that Bristol had a great interest in maritime expeditions and strong links with Iceland because of the cod fishery.


John Cabot was a well travelled man. He travelled to Mecca, Lisbon, Spain and other Mediterranean lands where he picked up ideas about trading and became aware of other cultures. In his pursuit for adventure and discoveries, John Cabot approached the English king, who authorised him to take five ships at his own expense and make explorations under the English flag, in any direction except South. The king also allowed the crew to occupy any lands not previously known to the Christian world, of which they might be able to secure possession. This grant was given on 3 March 1496 (the original document can be found in the Public Records Office in London).

John Cabot was a persistent man. He felt certain that the voyage to the new land would be successful but it took a while to persuade the West Country merchants to finance his expedition. He finally won them over by 'selling' them the advantages of the major trading route across the ocean. It seems that for nearly a decade he persisted in his efforts to find the new mystery land. But in the end he succeeded and on 24 June 1497 he anchored the small vessel called 'Matthew' off the then unknown land. Just over a month later, on 10 August John Cabot kneeled before the English king, Henry VII, and presented his new discovery. The English king awarded him a pension of £10: " To hym that founde the new Isle, £10. August 10, 1497 ". A copy of that letter can be found in the British Museum. After the first expedition, Henry VII authorised a second journey. The document that follows is a translation by G.P. Winship of a latin manuscript from the Public Records Office in London.

These new Letters Patent authorize John Kabote or Kabbatto Venetian, to take up, anywhere within the English domain, six ships of not more than two hundred tons, with their armament and fitting, under the same conditions as if they were being taken for the royal use, and to conduct these, with any who wished to accompany him, " to the londe and Isles of late founde by the seid John in oure name and...."


But John Cabot was not the only person from the Cabot family to receive a pension from the King. His son Sebastian also received a pension, "in consideration of the diligent service and attendance our well-beloved Sebastian Cabot, Venetian has done unto us in and about the finding of the new found lands."


As has already been said, little is known about John Cabot's life and death. More is known about his son Sebastian who returned to Bristol in 1546 and went back to London for the rest of his life


The Matthew



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