The Travels of Sir John Mandeville - 791 Words

The Travels of Sir John Mandeville was written in approximately 1357 and is an account of Sir John Mandeville’s 30-year odyssey throughout Europe, North Africa, the Far East, and Arabia. The Travels was originally written in French and because of its immense popularity was translated into all major European languages, of which three hundred survive today. The Travels became a major source for geographical information for the next two centuries. Two notable historical figures that relied upon Mandeville’s guide were Leonardo da Vinci and Christopher Columbus. It is unknown whether Sir John Mandeville is a man or myth. He claimed to be an English knight from St. Albans. However, aside from this book, there is no proof of his†¦show more content†¦These are but a few of the fantastical tales that helped mesmerize readers of the late Middle Ages. However, Mandeville was not concerned with whether his tales were believable or not. His purpose, more so than a guide to travel for your average citizen, was to show people that there were others in this world with thoughts and ideas and maybe those thoughts and ideas deserved some merit. Throughout his book, Mandeville is very specific about morals and values, especially Christian morals and values. In Chapter 32, he tells of the Isle of Bragman and the people who live there who are not Christians. He says â€Å"In this land are no thieves, no murderers, no prostitutes, no liars, no beggars; they are men as pure in conversation and as clean living as if they were men of religion†. (p. 178) Mandeville believed that God loved them because they were good people, despite the fact that they were not Christians. He tells us of Christian men: Jacobites, Saracens, Surrianes, Arians, Nubians, Indians and Georgienes who have different laws and customs, but all believe in God although their rites and beliefs may be different than your own. Mandeville was calling on Christians to reform and wake up! Judge not! One would also to think that that Mandeville wanted to instill in people a thirst for geography. HeShow MoreRelatedAge of Chaucer1901 Words   |  8 PagesDuchesse: It’s probably Chaucer’s earliest poem and is written in 1369. It’s a dream poem in thirteen hundred thirty four lines in octosyllabic couplets. It is believed to be an allegorical lament on the death of Blanche of Lancaster, the first wife of John of Gaunt, who died in 1369. (French Group) The poet falls asleep while reading the story of Ceix and Alcyone and in his dream he follows a hunting party. He meets a night in Black He meets a night in Black who played a game of chess with Fortuna andRead More Racism in Song of Solomon, Push and Life of Olaudah Equiano Essay2546 Words   |  11 Pagesopposing race. 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