ISSN:
0080-4401
Source:
Cambridge Journals Digital Archives
Topics:
History
Notes:
In the sixteenth century England had not become Empress of the ocean; but the enterprising spirit which mainly contributed to her pre-eminence had induced her even then to compete with Spain, Portugal, and Genoa, for the sovereignty of the seas.A favourite project of English navigators was the discovery of a direct passage through the polar seas to Cathay and India. They imagined that this passage could be found by ships sailing from English ports in a north-easterly direction. This theory being supported by the renowned navigator Sebastian Cabot, a company was registered in England under the title of “Merchants A dventurers for the Discoverie of Lands, Territories, and Seignories Unknown.” Each member was to subscribe not less than twenty-five pounds, and the company in a short time raised a capital of £6,000. The majority were swayed by the hope of gain; but there were some who desired to solve an interesting problem, and to advance the commercial interests of their country; among these were the Marquis of Winchester, the Earls of Arundel, Bedford, and Pembroke, and Lord Howard of Emngham.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3677884
