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Patent for John Cabot
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Patent for John Cabot
Letters patent for a voyage to discover new lands granted to John Cabot by King Henry VII, 1496-1497 Date: 1496-1497
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Cabot Colonialism Discover Document Documents Exploration Explorer Grant Granted Lands Letter Letters Patent Patents Voyage 15th
EDITORS COMMENTS
This historic document is a letters patent, a formal grant issued by King Henry VII of England to the renowned explorer, John Cabot, in the late 15th century. Dated between 1496 and 1497, this patent authorized Cabot and his crew to explore, discover, and claim new lands for the English Crown. At the time, European powers were intensely competing for territorial expansion and the discovery of new routes to Asia. John Cabot, an Italian explorer, had previously gained experience in the Baltic Sea and was known for his expertise in navigation. With this royal grant, he embarked on a voyage from Bristol, England, in search of new lands to the west. Although the exact location of Cabot's discovery remains uncertain, it is believed that he may have reached Newfoundland or Labrador. The letters patent, a significant piece of colonialism history, granted Cabot and his crew the right to govern any new territories they discovered and to establish colonies, as well as the authority to make laws and levy taxes. This document represents an early example of the English Crown's assertion of sovereignty over new lands and its ambition to expand its territorial holdings. The intricately designed patent, featuring the royal coat of arms and the Great Seal of England, is a testament to the power and authority of the monarchy during the late Middle Ages. This document, an essential piece of historical evidence, continues to captivate scholars and history enthusiasts, offering insights into the exploration era and the beginnings of European colonialism.
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