The life of John Cabot

The life and travels of the Tudor Explorer, John Cabot.

By Adam, Adila and Ellie-Mae.

Fact File

Name:John Cabot [Giovanni Caboto]

D.O.B:1450 D.O.D:1531 Place of birth:Genoa,

Italy Voyages:Asia, 1497

Treasures

John worked as a merchant. He sailed across the Mediterranean Sea to buy and sell goods.

He sailed from Venice to a city in North Africa called Alexandria.

The goods came from Asia,a mysterious land far away to the east.

Horses and Camels carried them to Alexandria across mountains and deserts.

Food, Crew and Supplies

Food for the sailors: Biscuits Beer Salt beef Salt fish Butter Cheese The sailors put the fish and

beef in the salt. This helped to keep the food fresh.

Supplies

Supplies taken on board: Wood Coal Candles Wax Lanterns Platters Dishes Buckets Scoops Taper Candles Shovels Compasses Lamps Water casks Hoops of iron

Cabot’s Ship

500 years ago John Cabot and his crew set sail for Asia aboard the Matthew, hoping to trade good and properties with the people who lived there.

They arrived on the coast of Newfoundland. He founded a fishing company there and was the original discoverer of America not Christopher Columbus.

John Cabot's discoveries

John Cabot did actually bring something back from his voyage. He brought spices such as pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, brightly coloured silks, carpets and medicines back from his voyage. When he returned, he sold all his treasures to become rich.

People in Europe wanted spices to make their food taste better.

Jobs on the ship.

The sailors had to clean the floor when there was a storm.

They had to dry their clothes when they were wet.

The sailors had to bring their own food and serve the captain.

The sailors had to set the ship so in the night they took turns being in charge of the ship.

Time Line

1450 Giovanni Caboto was born in Genoa, Italy.

1460 He went to live in Venice. 1480 He travelled to Mecca in secret. 1480 He married Mattea. 1482 His three sons were born. 1490 He went to live in Valencia,

Spain. 1493 John Cabot and his family

moved to Bristol 1496 His first voyage ended in failure.

Why was John Cabot important?

Because if he didn’t discover the world we wouldn’t be able to go to the countries he discovered. He was al so famous for opening a fishing company in Newfoundland.