1497

1497 was a common year in the late 15th century. It is noted for significant developments in European exploration and the consolidation of English royal authority.

John Cabot, sailing from the port of Bristol in 1497 aboard the Matthew, reached the coast of present-day Newfoundland, becoming one of the first Europeans to land on the North American mainland since the Norse visits. His voyage helped establish English claims in the region and encouraged further Atlantic exploration.

Amerigo Vespucci embarked on his first voyage to the Americas in 1497, exploring the Atlantic coast of South America and contributing to the growing belief that these lands constituted a new continent rather than Asia.

Vasco da Gama departed from Lisbon in 1497 on a voyage to India, with his fleet reaching Calicut in 1498. This voyage established a direct sea route from Europe to Asia and had a lasting impact on global trade and European imperial ambitions.

In England, the Cornish Rebellion of 1497 broke out in Cornwall and nearby counties as a protest against taxes raised to fund defense against Brittany. Royal forces defeated the rebels later in the year, and the suppression reinforced Henry VII’s authority and central control over the realm.

Overall, 1497 contributed to the early phase of the Age of Exploration and to ongoing efforts by European monarchies to solidify centralized power at home.