It’s the early 1400s in Europe. Most people live very simple lives, with only the basic things they need to survive.
But European nobles and the very wealthy have more comfortable lives. They enjoy spices, silks, fine china, and other luxury goods that come from Asia. Trade between Europe and Asia is controlled by Italian and Arab traders, who can charge high prices for these goods. The rulers of several European countries are dreaming of finding new sea routes to Asia. This could allow their own merchants to trade directly with Asia. Instead of making Italian and Arab traders rich, they could keep the profits from trade for themselves.
