<i>The Art, Science, and Technology of Medieval Travel</i> (review)
Kristen Mossler Figg
Reviewed by: The Art, Science, and Technology of Medieval Travel Kristen M. Figg (bio) Travel. Edited by Robert Bork Andrea Kann. Aldershot, Hants, Burlington, Vt.: Ashgate, 2008. Pp. xiv+225. $99.95. In this collection thirteen essays, Kann have brought together four travel-related topics that help us explore the "dialog between theories practices travel" (p. 7) understand "importance travel in catalyzing fruitful medieval developments artistic, scientific, technical fields" 13). Divided into sections entitled Vehicles Logistics, Arts, Maps Their Uses, Navigational Instruments, volume does not purport to be comprehensive even within individual sections, but rather offers snapshots specific logistical situations, material developments, theoretical viewpoints suggest larger patterns relationships cultural attitudes, practices, technological advance. As might expected, every essay addresses variable—and indeed reader may feel a mental jolt when moving from an on transporting bricks England others portal decoration, frescoes, psalter illustration Italy France. But chapters do offer chance sample both imaginative practical aspects travel, reminding at very least technology developed response social impulses quite different our own. For those interested forces led development use roads, waterways, conveyances, navigational instruments, first last book will most satisfying. At beginning, Bernard S. Bachrach's "Carolingian Military Operations" describes how Charlemagne his successors gave their armies distinct advantage distributing foodstuffs means surviving Roman roads enhanced through mapping, regulations, new for watertight royal war-carts. contrast early impulse toward standardization, John E. Dotson's Mediterranean ship design thirteenth sixteenth centuries types vessels resulted desire combine features "fast, narrow, oar-powered warships" (galleys) "slow, broad, sail-powered merchant ships" (round ships) 31) order achieve optimum cargo capacity, safety, frequency usage. Julian Munby, "From Carriage Coach," concludes "great transport revolution" century, carriages had mainly transported women were replaced coaches carrying passengers genders, involved no substantial change vehicle itself; case, tendency men stop traveling horseback was sociological, improvements (sprung suspension glazed windows) would come century later. On other hand, David Kennett finds brick building materials [End Page 499] road, than water, more often previously believed, simply because local conditions, culture. While second section less direct interest readers following technology, it provide important framework understanding environment. "Pilgrims Portals Late Siena" city walls used symbolically create communal identity located major pilgrimage highway, while "The Strange Lands Ambrogio Lorenzetti" explains paint alien peoples as way emphasizing city's successful mercantile missionary enterprises. Concluding with "Spiritual Pilgrimage Psalter Bonne Luxembourg," group essays leads logically discussion maps begins, 3, Nigel Hiscock's review Christian Platonist worldview influenced concepts space. More specifically, Dan Terkla examines particular map, Hereford Mappa Mundi, been presented contemporary audiences. Focusing real Nick Millea's study Gough Map, earliest route map England, uses digitized image-capture draw conclusions about map's origins function, Evelyn Edson Petrarch geographical write guide Holy Land. book's...
Technology and Culture