John Cabot: The English King's Italian Navigator

Early Life

John Cabot's real name was Giovanni Caboto. He was probably born about 1450 near Naples, Italy, but nobody is sure. He lived much of his life in Venice, Italy. He had at least three sons.

John Cabot sailing from Bristol, May 2, 1497 Copyright/Source

John Cabot moved to England because he wanted the English king, Henry VII, to give him permission to explore. Like Columbus, Cabot believed that the world was not flat and that he could reach Asia by sailing west.