New Medieval Books: The Roads to Rome
The Roman Empire constructed an extensive road network that spanned the Mediterranean and much of Europe. This book explores the enduring legacy of these roads, including their significance during the Middle Ages.
New Medieval Books: Daoist Master Changchun’s Journey to the West
An account of a three-year trip from China to the Mongol domain in the 13th century, this translation details the travels and experience of religious men as they enter a world very different from their own.
New Medieval Books: Diary of a Black Jewish Messiah
This book presents a translation of a fascinating and highly unusual 16th-century text: the diary of a self-proclaimed Jewish leader—though he was likely a con artist—who traveled across Europe meeting with rulers as part of a scheme to wage war against the Ottoman Empire. Even after reading this diary, you may still find yourself questioning who this enigmatic figure truly was and what his ultimate goals might have been.
The Struggles of Travel in the Middle Ages
Travel in the Middle Ages was anything but easy. From grueling journeys on foot to muddy, impassable roads and slow-moving carts, medieval travelers faced challenges that make modern road trips seem luxurious.
New Medieval Books: Expanding Horizons
Medieval Europeans increasingly ventured beyond the borders of their continent, embarking on journeys that brought them into contact with the diverse peoples of Asia, Africa, and the New World. This book delves into their explorations and the encounters that shaped these fascinating cross-cultural exchanges.
New Medieval Books: Der Niederrheinische Orientbericht, c.1350
This German account of Egypt and the Near East seems to have been written by a diplomat. His work goes from covering the Sultan’s wedding to describing the region’s flora and fauna.
Adventures of a Tenth-Century Explorer: Mapping the Medieval World
What was it like to travel the world over a thousand years ago? For one man, it was a journey filled with adventure, hardship, and discovery.
New Medieval Books: Muslims on the Volga in the Viking Age
This collection of 19 essays delves into the 10th-century journey of Ibn Fadlan to the Rus’ and Volga Bulgarians. The essays offer an in-depth analysis of his text, shedding light on how medieval Arab perspectives shaped their understanding of the Vikings and other northern peoples.
The Travels of Manuel II Palaiologos, Emperor of the Romans
The story of Manuel II Palaiologos, whose travels would take him to Paris and London, and his efforts to protect his empire.
Travel Through Medieval Eyes with Anthony Bale – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 254
As we wrap up another summer vacation season, it’s a good time to take a look at the way medieval people travelled for business, pleasure, and their immortal souls. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Anthony Bale about the ins and outs of medieval travel, and some of the wild stories of journeys gone wrong.
Restoration of Rare Medieval Document Detailing Asian Travels
A significant medieval document, forgotten for over 70 years, will be restored by researchers at the University of Warwick’s Warwick Venice Centre. It reveals a new perspective on global exchange in the decade after Marco Polo’s death.
New Medieval Books: A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages
A look at how travellers from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries went from Europe to other parts of the medieval world, ranging as far as Ethiopia and China. The book focuses on what the experience would have been like to visit various cities and places, kind of like a travel guide should be.
Richer of Saint-Rémi’s bad medieval road trip
“Those who have ever suffered similar misfortunes can judge from their own experiences how great my agitation and anxiety were at the moment.”
Tips for Travelling to Medieval Jerusalem
During medieval times, Christian pilgrims embarked on journeys across Europe and the Middle East to visit churches, holy sites, and shrines. The pinnacle of these pilgrimages was a visit to Jerusalem, necessitating thorough preparation. Hopefully, pilgrims could benefit from the travel advice provided by William Wey, a writer from the 15th century.
New Medieval Books: The King’s Road
‘A Bottom-Up History of Diplomacy’ along the Silk Road between China and Central Asia, this book focuses on the years 850 to 1000. It aims to show the Silk Road was just as important a route for envoys as it was for merchants.
New Medieval Books: Dynasty in Motion
A look at royal weddings in the 15th and 16th centuries, focusing on the travel that took place before getting to the ceremony.
Bertrandon de la Broquière: A Medieval Secret Agent?
Bertrandon de la Broquière embarked on a remarkable journey across the heart of the Ottoman Empire, for one year in 1432, documenting his experiences in a detailed account that continues to fascinate historians today.
A Pilgrim from Xanadu: How A Christian Monk Discovered Medieval Europe
The first-hand records of Bar Sauma’s amazing mission allow us to trace his odyssey from Beijing to Baghdad, and on to Rome and Bordeaux.
The Medieval Travel Guide of Cristoforo Buondelmonti
Cristoforo Boundelmonti’s 15th-century guide to the islands and lands around the Aegean Sea is a traveller’s delight.
Travel in the Middle Ages, with John F. Romano
A common myth about the medieval period is that no one traveled anywhere, but stayed in the place they were born until they died. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with John F. Romano to find out what travel was really like in the Middle Ages.
Essential Hiking Gear for a Medieval Chinese Monk
Pilgrimage, alms begging, and journeys to obtain scriptures or relics: life on the road was a reality for many monks in medieval China. So what kind of things did they take with them, according to popular depictions?
Travel Expenses in the Middle Ages
Travelling for business, then as now, meant keeping careful track of your expenses, from what you ate, to who you schmoozed (and how), to what you did when your transportation broke down.
In Search of the Promised Land: Saint Brendan’s Voyage
The story of an Irish monk and his fourteen companions who embarked on a dangerous journey in the fifth century.
Hospitality in historical perspective
Catrien Santing explores the concept of hospitality business within the context of sincere charity one side and the earning of money on the other.
