Travel in the middle ages / Jean Verdon ; translated by George Holoch.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Verdon, Jean.

Standardized Title:

Voyager au Moyen Age. English

Language:

English

French

Subjects (All):

Travel, Medieval.

Voyages, Imaginary--History and criticism.

Voyages, Imaginary.

Physical Description:

348 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Notre Dame, Ind. : University of Notre Dame Press, [2003]

Summary:

Travel in the Middle Ages is filled with the stories and adventures of those who hazarded hostile landscapes, elements, and people -- out of want or necessity -- to get from place to place. While most journeys involved very short distances (home to market or village to village), longer trips were not uncommon in the Middle Ages. Clergy were frequently called upon to act as ambassadors, messengers, and overseers to the various monasteries and churches within their jurisdiction. Merchants, agents of the king, and pilgrims were also frequently required to travel. While sharing the fascinating stories of these ordinary wayfarers, Verdon also relates colorful tales of the journeys of notable historical figures such as Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus. Part 1 of Travel in the Middle Ages addresses the means by which people traveled. This section contains vivid descriptions of modes of conveyance, road systems, sea lanes, tolls, taxes, and even pirates. Knowing the risks involved, why did people brave the uncertainty of travel? Part II of the book addresses this question by identifying five main motivational categories of medieval travel. Part III deals with travel myths, monsters, and fictitious journeys of medieval fantasy writers. Verdon concludes with a pithy critique of travel in the modern world. Appearing for the first time in an English translation, Travel in the Middle Ages will delight anyone with an interest in medieval culture or travel books.

Contents:

1 On the Continent 15

2 By Sea 55

3 Material Considerations 97

4 Knowledge of Geography 127

Part 2 Mentalities 141

5 In the Service of Oneself 147

6 In the Service of One's Lord 188

7 In the Service of the Lord 214

8 Discovering the Wide World 239

Part 3 The Imaginary 277

9 Here Below 279

10 The Beyond 301.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 329-342) and index.

ISBN:

0268042225

0268042233

OCLC:

51222161