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I've always wondered about Cabot- what factor or factors were necessary and sufficient to cause Henry VII to fund the Cabot expedition in OTL?

a) Publicity of Columbus's successful voyage to and from the Caribbean, including mention of gold was vital in getting Henry interested

b) Irrespective of the Columbus voyage, the general practice in 15th century western Europe of exploring for trade routes (ie, not just Columbus, but also including everything the Portuguese had been doing since Henry the Navigator)

c) Specific knowledge that Bristol fishermen had seen land or signs of land far into the Atlantic

d) some combination of any or all of the three above
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