[hinkley]

As I recall from 1491, the fisherman had enough trade as far as New England (by the 1600's) that the Pilgrims found a translator who already spoke English.

They didn't dwell on that in American History class.

[btilly]

The translator actually had been enslaved by Europeans twice and knew English on account of having lived in England.

See https://www.biography.com/political-figure/squanto for verification.

[detritus]

How old ARE you?

[hinkley]

I would love to have you come visit my castle in beautiful Eastern Europe. The vistas are wonderful, as are the tapestries.

We're having a bit of a wolf problem but as long as you travel during the day you should be fine.

Seriously though, it's a book.

[ahi]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Banks_of_Newfoundland

I am imagining all these old salts in the pub rolling their eyes at the aristocratic "explorers"

[hinkley]

Is the bit about Cabot saying that French and Portuguese fisherman started fishing there in earnest by 1502?

[japaget]

There is a book called "1491" by Charles C. Mann which the parent commenter is probably referring to.

[jacoblsievers]

Are you implying something?