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Click to return to The Tudors The Age of Discovery During the Tudor period many areas of the world were discovered for the first time by Europeans but why were the explorers so keen to sail the unknown oceans? At first the explorers were not looking for new countries but new routes to countries that were already being visited. There was a massive market for spices in Europe but not the climate to acquire them. Pepper, cloves, cinnamon, mace and ginger were wanted to enrich the bland and boring food. So, Europeans had to travel across the world to get them. There was also the legend of Prester John. He was thought to be the ruler of a mysterious kingdom in the east. Generations of European explorers tried to find him. Stories of Marco Polo's adventures in the Far East were extremely popular. Many sought the exotic kingdoms and riches that he had described from his own travels. Life was hard and most people were poor. Many men looked for a way out by gaining fabulous welath on a successful expedition. Excellent Explorers John Cabot (1450 - 1499) discovered the northern coast of America for Henry VII and found areas of sea full of fish beginning a huge new industry to Europe. Christopher Columbus (1451 - 1506) is often credited with discovering America (whilst looking for China). He captained an amazing four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean visiting the Bahamas, Haiti and Venezuela. Vasco da Gama (1460 - 1524) led the expedition that established the first European sea route to India from his homeland of Portugal. Ferdinand Magellan (1480 - 1521) was amongst the first Europeans to visit the precious Spice Islands. He later commanded a Spanish expedition that became the first to sail all the way around the world. Sir Francis Drake (1540 - 1596) became the first Englishman to sail around the world (along with his crew!) but was infamous for his attacks on Spanish ships and colonies. Sir Walter Raleigh (1552 - 1618) organised expeditions to North America and is credited with introducing potatoes and tobacco to England.