During the 1400's there were stories and legends repeated throughout Northwestern Europe of the rich lands across the Atlantic Ocean. These of course were handed down by the Vikings and came from their colonies and exploits which did in fact reach across the Atlantic.

There is evidence of English and French fishermen, who listening to these stories, made their way across the North Atlantic and were rewarded by the richest fishing grounds in the world, the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. They did not want to share their discovery with competing fishermen and hence the secret was probably closely guarded. (As were later Spanish discoveries when they also feared that other nations would send expeditions to the rich lands which they discovered and keep secret logs and records of almost all of their sea voyages. EG: West coast of North America)

John Cabot was born Giovanni Caboto in c. 1450 in Genoa, Italy. Not much is known about his early life or upbringing. He likely grew up in a family of merchants and may have received some education in navigation and geography.

In the late 1460s, Cabot moved to Venice, where he became a citizen of the Republic of Venice and began working as a navigator and trader. He eventually became interested in finding a western route to Asia, which was a popular goal among European explorers at the time.

In the 1480s, Cabot moved to Bristol, England, which was a major center of trade and exploration. He may have been attracted to Bristol because of its connections to the New World, as Bristol merchants were involved in the cod fishery off the coast of Newfoundland.

Cabot's experience in navigation and trading made him an ideal candidate for exploration, and he began seeking support for a voyage to the west. He first approached King Henry VII of England in 1495, but his request was denied. However, he was eventually able to secure funding from a group of Bristol merchants, and he set out on his first voyage in 1497.

Cabot sailed with a small crew on a ship named the Matthew, which was probably only about 50 feet long. He reached Newfoundland, Canada, on June 24, 1497, and claimed the land for England. He may have also explored the coast of Labrador and other parts of North America, although the details of his second voyage are unclear.

When Cabot returned to England in 1497, he was greeted as a hero. He was able to secure further funding from King Henry VII for future voyages, and he made a second voyage in 1498. However, he did not return from this voyage, and his fate is unknown.

Despite his brief career as an explorer, John Cabot's voyages had a significant impact on English exploration and colonization of North America. He paved the way for future English explorers and helped establish English claims to parts of North America.

The discoveries made by John Cabot during his voyages to North America had several benefits, both for England and for Europe as a whole. Here are some of the main benefits:

Trade: Cabot's voyages opened up new trade routes for England, particularly in the form of the cod fishery off the coast of Newfoundland. English merchants were able to establish profitable trade with the indigenous people of the region, and this trade continued for centuries.

Colonization: Cabot's claim on behalf of England to parts of North America paved the way for English colonization of the region. The establishment of colonies in North America would later become a significant aspect of English history, and would play a major role in the development of the United States.

Exploration: Cabot's voyages helped spur further exploration of the New World by other European powers, including Spain, France, and the Netherlands. This led to the discovery of new lands and peoples, and helped expand European knowledge of the world.

Scientific knowledge: Cabot's voyages also contributed to the scientific understanding of the world. Cabot and his crew likely made observations of the natural environment and the indigenous peoples they encountered, which helped expand scientific knowledge and understanding.

Overall, John Cabot's discoveries had significant benefits for England and Europe, both in terms of trade and colonization, as well as in the expansion of scientific knowledge and exploration.