Final answer:
John Cabot married a woman named Mattea, not the options provided in the question. The first explorer to claim Brazil for Portugal was Pedro Cabral.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question about who John Cabot married is not directly answered by the provided reference material; it does not mention John Cabot's marriage. However, based on historical records outside of this reference, John Cabot was married to a woman named Mattea and not to any of the options provided (a) Isabella of Castile, b) Margaret of France, c) Mathilde of Portugal, or d) Catherine of Aragon. It's essential to clarify that the reference material pertains to other historical figures and events.
For instance, Isabella of Castile, mentioned in one of the potential answers, was married to King Ferdinand of Aragon, and they were key figures in the unification of Spain. The provided information correctly identifies Queen Henrietta Marie as the namesake of Maryland. The passage also highlights the role of John Cabot as an explorer under England's flag during Henry VII's reign, noting his voyage to Newfoundland and initial claims to North American territories, which played a part in future English colonization efforts.
The first explorer to reach Brazil and claim it for the throne of Portugal was Pedro Cabral. This claim is important because it marks a significant event in the Age of Discovery and European colonialism.