Medieval travel literature: Issues of definition and method
Studies of travel writings from the Middle Ages reveal a lack of stable typological features. The difficulty encountered by scholars such as J. Richard and F. Wolfzettel in defining medieval travel literature arises from their reliance on overly broad criteria when selecting the corpus. A more focused approach is exemplified by M. Guéret-Laferté, who concentrates on a narrower group of works, specifically reports of travels in the Mongol Empire during the 13th and 14th centuries. Her analysis can be further enriched by examining the period’s most significant texts, including those of John of Plano Carpini, William of Rubrouck, Marco Polo, and Odoric of Pordenone. The works in question share not only the chronology and geography of their journeys—set during the Pax Mongolica in the vast territories of Asia under Tartar control—but also a dual narrative and descriptive nature. Furthermore, it is essential to consider the reception of these texts, particularly that of Odoric’s Relatio, which served as a key source for Mandeville’s Travels. Finally, the issue of continuity between medieval travel accounts and the literature of the Age of Discovery is addressed. The analysis highlights several differences but also identifies some significant elements of continuity.
