John Cabot: England's Columbus

Christopher Columbus’ exploits awed Europe with the possibility of reaching the riches of Asia without the arduous travel east into vast desert and mercy of Muslim rulers. It placed Spain in the forefront of the race to reach Asia, but it also inspired other, lesser-known countries and navigators to follow the journey. Such as the case of John Cabot and England entering the Age of Exploration.

Table of Contents

I. Age of Exploration

II. Who is Giovanni Caboto?

III. Becoming England's Colombus

1. A Spice-less First Expedition

2. Mistaking lands for Asia

3. One More Try

IV. Besting Columbus... in Dying with a Mystery

V. Cabot's Legacy 

Doc Recap: Viscount Torrington's Account of Cromford

Coming from a family of illustrious soldiers, John Byng, the later 5th Viscount of Torrington, decided to add a sideline to his resume, that of a traveller and a diarist. He toured England in a time of breathtaking changes in landscape of the country courtesy of the Industrial Revolution. One of his entries described Cromford the facilities owned by the celebrated inventor and businessman Richard Arkwright.

John Byng by Ozias Humphrey, 1796

The Enigmatic Thomas Newcomen

The Baptist preacher and iron monger Thomas Newcomen and his partner John Calley held their breath as they watched and waited for the beam of their new strange device to swing up and down. Newcomen betted 10 years of their lives, hardwork and experimentation on this device. Its result dictated not only if this bet paid off but also the fate of England’s mining industry and even beyond.

Who was Sir John Bowring? - Part 2

Sir John Bowring lived a life of multiple careers. He published translated works from different European cultures before dedicating his time to the advancement of radical ideas, in particular utilitarianism. Then he became an MP or member of parliament advocating free trade and reforms in military discipline and prison conditions. Due to financial struggles he took positions overseas becoming a player in the advancement of British interest in the Far East.

Who was Sir John Bowring? - Part 1

Sir John Bowring lived a life of multiple careers. He published translated works from different European cultures before dedicating his time to the advancement of radical ideas, in particular utilitarianism. Then he became an MP or member of parliament advocating free trade and reforms in military discipline and prison conditions. Due to financial struggles he took positions overseas becoming a player in the advancement of British interest in the Far East.

The Signing of the Magna Carta

King John signing the Magna Carta

It is an influential document in world history. It constricted the powers of a monarch in an era of absolute power of kings. It set the tone for the concept of civil rights. The Magna Carta of 1215 constrained the power of England’s King John and placed law above all else, including powerful monarchs.

Causes of the Thirty Years' War

The Thirty Years’ War devastated Europe in the early part of the 17th century. But what were the causes that led to the momentous event that changed the face of Europe? What were the situations and events that finally sparked the Thirty Years’ War?

John Cadbury: The Sweet Legacy

John Cadbury

Besides Milton Hershey, there were already numerous chocolatiers that began manufacturing in Europe. The French, the Dutch, and the Swiss all had artisans dedicated to chocolate making. Royals from Spain and France had high regards and consumed chocolate in their respective courts. Eventually, the British soon joined the ranks of chocoholics in Europe. And one of the leading chocolatiers of the Industrial Age in Britain was the most recognizable as well, Cadbury, John Cadbury.

Who was Sandwich?

John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

Anyone who would see two or more bread piled together with something in between will call it a sandwich. Sandwiches has a simple concept. It simplicity made it even a stone age man could do. By why would it be called a sandwich? In fact, it was named after a person. Then, from whom did sandwich took its name?

Hanseatic League: Economic Group of Germany

Lübeck - center of the Hanse

A united German States was not formed until the establishment of the German Empire in 1871 under the leader of Prussia, its King Wilhelm I, and its brilliant Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. In present Germany before the 1871, several small German states were established and ruled by local princes. During the Middle Ages, the Holy Roman Empire existed under the control of the Germans, but the Empire was fragmented by Princes who owned lands and treated it like their own smaller kingdom. The closest form of united Germany was a mercantile organization known as the Hanseatic League or otherwise known as Hanse.

Richard Arkwright: Father of the Factory System

Richard Arkwright

Factories build the modern world. It is from these establishments where many of our needs and wants are built. From our pillows, to our toothpaste, to our cellphones and cars, all of these are built in a factory. The start of the factory system was said to have begun in England during the 18th century, the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.