Henry VII in part have been motivated by the perceived insolence of the division of the world into two halves by Pope Alexander VI in the Bull Inter Caetera in 1493, that rights of exploration and exploitation of the non-Christian world were to be split between Spain and Portugal, with the Portuguese getting the eastern half and the Spanish the western half.
On 5 March 1496 King Henry VII of England gave Caboto letters patent with the following charge:
...free authority, faculty and power to sail to all parts, regions and coasts of the eastern, western and northern sea, under our banners, flags and ensigns, with five ships or vessels of whatsoever burden and quality they may be, and with so many and with such mariners and men as they may wish to take with them in the said ships, at their own proper costs and charges, to find, discover and investigate whatsoever islands, countries, regions or provinces of heathens and infidels, in whatsoever part of the world placed, which before this time were unknown to all Christians.
Caboto went to Bristol to make the preparations for his voyage.
First voyage
In 1496 Caboto set out from Bristol with Five Ships.
The chronicle entry, from 1565, states in its entry for 1496/7
"This year, on St. John the Baptist's Day [24 June 1496], the land of America was found by the Merchants of Bristow in ships of Bristowe
the which said the ships departed from the port of Bristowe, the second day of May, and came home again the 6th of August next following year 1497"
Back in England, Caboto Went directly to see the King, who was then hunting at Woodstock Palace. On 10 August, he was given a reward of £10
The explorer was feted, Soncino commenting on 23 August that Caboto 'is called the Great Admiral and vast honour is paid to him and he goes dressed in silk, and these English run after him like mad'.
In December 1497 the explorer was awarded a pension of £20 per year and in February 1498 he was given an additional patent to help him prepare a second expedition.
In March and April the King also advanced a number of loans to Lancelot Thirkill of London, Thomas Bradley and John Cair, who were all to accompany Caboto's new expedition.
The Great Chronicle of London reports that Cabot departed with a fleet of Ten ships from Bristol at the beginning of May, one of which had been prepared by the King. Some of the ships were said to be carrying merchandise, including cloth, caps, lace points and prisoners from the Second Cornish Uprising, for penal transportation
to its New colony in the new world.
On 5 March 1496 King Henry VII of England gave Caboto letters patent with the following charge:
...free authority, faculty and power to sail to all parts, regions and coasts of the eastern, western and northern sea, under our banners, flags and ensigns, with five ships or vessels of whatsoever burden and quality they may be, and with so many and with such mariners and men as they may wish to take with them in the said ships, at their own proper costs and charges, to find, discover and investigate whatsoever islands, countries, regions or provinces of heathens and infidels, in whatsoever part of the world placed, which before this time were unknown to all Christians.
Caboto went to Bristol to make the preparations for his voyage.
First voyage
In 1496 Caboto set out from Bristol with Five Ships.
The chronicle entry, from 1565, states in its entry for 1496/7
"This year, on St. John the Baptist's Day [24 June 1496], the land of America was found by the Merchants of Bristow in ships of Bristowe
the which said the ships departed from the port of Bristowe, the second day of May, and came home again the 6th of August next following year 1497"
Back in England, Caboto Went directly to see the King, who was then hunting at Woodstock Palace. On 10 August, he was given a reward of £10
The explorer was feted, Soncino commenting on 23 August that Caboto 'is called the Great Admiral and vast honour is paid to him and he goes dressed in silk, and these English run after him like mad'.
In December 1497 the explorer was awarded a pension of £20 per year and in February 1498 he was given an additional patent to help him prepare a second expedition.
In March and April the King also advanced a number of loans to Lancelot Thirkill of London, Thomas Bradley and John Cair, who were all to accompany Caboto's new expedition.
The Great Chronicle of London reports that Cabot departed with a fleet of Ten ships from Bristol at the beginning of May, one of which had been prepared by the King. Some of the ships were said to be carrying merchandise, including cloth, caps, lace points and prisoners from the Second Cornish Uprising, for penal transportation
to its New colony in the new world.
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