Medieval Travel and Travelers: A Reader

Drawing on medieval sources from western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Muslim world, this book will fascinate anyone interested in the history of travel and aspects of cultural interaction with the "other."
It is widely believed that people living in the Middle Ages seldom traveled. But, as Medieval Travel and Travelers reveals, many medieval people – and not only Marco Polo – were on the move for a variety of different reasons.Assuming no previous knowledge of medieval civilizations, this volume allows readers to experience the excitement of men and women who ventured into new lands. By addressing cross-cultural interaction, religion, and travel literature, the collection sheds light on how travel shaped the way we perceive the world, while also connecting history to the contemporary era of globalization. Including a mix of complete sources, excerpts, and images, Medieval Travel and Travelers provides readers with opportunities for further reflection on what medieval people expected to find in foreign locales, while sparking curiosity about undiscovered spaces and cultures.