The Art, Science , and Technology of Medieval Travel
David Harrison
The sixth volume of the Association Villard de Honnecourt for Interdisciplinary Study Medieval Technology, Science, and Art (AVISTA) contains an eclectic mix essays on medieval travel. book is divided into four parts, covering vehicles logistics, art, maps navigational instruments, with subjects ranging from devotional images in psalters to transport bricks. introduction excellent summary subject adds a number reflections, especially long-distance journeys such as those undertaken by Vikings, pilgrims, crusaders, remarkable travellers Marco Polo. We are reminded that many travellers’ accounts survive, real imaginary, do comments benefits travel despite difficulties; fourteenth-century poet, Eustache Deschamps, observed man who had not been overseas knew nothing. While reworkings studies already published, they contain interesting insights. Julian Munby shows proliferation coaches sixteenth-century Europe was caused technical advance, but change fashion; Hungary, riding coaches—the name derives town Kocs between Vienna Budapest—became acceptable activity men; previously carriages girls. David H. Kennett examines late English building evidence about bricks, concluding road more common than has often thought. Bernard S. Bachrach discusses two key aspects Carolingians’ ability undertake military operations throughout much Europe: organisation estates war effort through provision special army carts ‘military mapping’—essentially where go how get there, considering possible role maps, itineraries Roman roads.
The English Historical Review