Giovanni married his wife Mattea who bore him three sons (Santius, Sebastian and Ludovicus). Moving out of the spice trade Caboto bought and sold land and houses during the early 1480's, a time in which he also became involved in the salt trade (a extremely valuable commodity of the day). Now in his thirties Caboto began traveled extensively seeking alternate sources of spices that would avoid the heavy tax that had been imposed by the Turks. Many feel that it is during these travels that Caboto became such a skilled navigator.

Caboto knew that spices came from the east, however, if the world was indeed round (as it was thought to be) he could reach the east by sailing west, instead of searching for new routes in the eastern Mediterranean. With this in mind Caboto and his family moved to Valencia on the east coast of Spain in 1490.

When Columbus returned from the Americas in 1493 it is highly likely that Caboto would have set out to meet him, given that both had once lived in Genoa. Spurred on by Columbus' stories of the new world and the many amazing "trophies" that Columbus had with him it is likely that Caboto became more determined to make his own voyage westward. Unable, however, to get the authorities to to proceed with plans to improve the harbour at Valencia and give Caboto the opportunity to plan his trip from there he left Valencia for Bristol in 1495.

Impressed by Caboto, the Bristol merchants arranged (through John Brooke - Sergeant at Law) a meeting with King Henry VII in London on March 5th, 1496. King Henry VII was also impressed with Caboto and arranged "letters in Patent"* to allow Caboto to make his voyage and claim any lands for the monarch. There were some restrictions imposed on Caboto, however: He must stay on a northerly route so as to avoid the Spanish who were exploring southern routes, and he could only set sail from and return to Bristol.

*The letters patent read:

"Henry, by the Grace of God, King of England, France and Lord of Ireland, to all whom these presents shall come, Greetings. Be it known that we have given and granted to our well-beloved John Cabot, citizen of Venice...full and free authority, leave and power to sail to all parts, countries and seas of the East, of the West and of the North...to seek out, discover and find...and set up our banners and ensigns in all such newly discovered lands, and subdue, occupy and possess all such in the King's name."

With the King's Grace Caboto's status improved and he was quickly relocated within Bristol's walls. Caboto's first voyage was hastily prepared only two month's after the King's approval he attempted his crossing. However, Caboto suffered storm damage and was forced to return to Bristol only a few days after he had set out. It was then decided that Caboto would get a newly designed caravel of shallow draught to enable Caboto to navigate the treacherous Avon Gorge, while at the same time sturdy enough to navigate to unknown Atlantic.

The Matthew (named for Caboto's wife Mattea) was loaded and left Bristol on May 2nd, 1497. However the Matthew and Caboto were held up at Pill and probably never finally sailed until May 20th. Caboto first set sail for Bantry Bay on the west coast of Ireland. He then likely followed the well traveled fishing routes to the south of Iceland and then sailed westward into the unknown. The crossing was relatively easy with only one gale reported, and then 34 days after setting sail he sighted birds and land. Legend then has it that he shouted "Oh Buena Vista" or "Oh Good Sight," as he approached what is now Cape Bonavista on Newfoundland's east coast.

Caboto returned to Bristol and set out on a second journey of discovery a year later. Unfortunately, however, he never returned from his second voyage. There are many stories as to what happened to Caboto. Some say he was shipwrecked or lost in a storm, some say he was killed by the natives and some say he stayed in the new world and died there. While nobody knows for sure what happened to Caboto, one thing is certain. He was the beginning of the early migration out of Europe to what is now North America.

Source: Macdonald, Peter (1997) Cabot & The Naming of America.
Bristol: Petmac Publications

© 2005 Matthew Legacy Inc.