Bernhard Von Breydenbach's Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (1488)
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Bernhard von Breydenbach’s Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (1488) A Selection from the Dutch Edition of His Travel Journal Introduced, Edited and Annotated by Stephanie Teunisse Leiden University MA Thesis Media Studies Book and Digital Media Studies S1313649 31 August 2015 First reader: Prof. dr. P.G. Hoftijzer Second reader: Prof. dr. W. van Anrooij 1 For my family, My awesome parents, lovely grandparents and favorite aunt and uncle. *Sigh* … Finally… 2 3 Preface Having studied Dutch Literature and Linguistics in Amsterdam with a specialty in Medieval Literature, it came as no surprise that the old books from the special library collections would again have a certain appeal to me during my masters program in Leiden. I was sure to broaden my studies by choosing Book and Digital Media Studies, with an emphasize on the digital aspect. I even tried to write my thesis about the the Digital Humanities, but who was I kidding? My passion would always remain with Literature and Book Studies. However, the digital media aspect of the course had intrigued and inspired me. Why not combine the two for this thesis project. The moment I realized this, was the moment I finally started making progress. It is ms Fleur Praal whom I have to thank for this epiphany, she supported me during a whole year during which I made hardly any progress with my thesis. Next, I would like to thank professor Hoftijzer for his patience and guidance as my first reader and professor Van Anrooij for stepping in as the second reader. In addition I would like to express my gratitude for Alex, who was nice enough to bring Bernhard von Breydenbach to life in his drawings. And of course R, who has desperately, yet bravely, stood by me during the process of writing. I also realized that with this project I had found a way to show my family and friends what I have been up to the last couple of years and what my love for books, both content as form, was actually all about. Therefore, I am writing this for you, all the people whom I love and care for. I hope you get it now. Amsterdam, August 2015 4 Table of Contents List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... iii Introduction ............................................................................................................................... iv About the people working on the book ..................................................................................... ix The author ............................................................................................................................. ix The artist ................................................................................................................................ xi The editions ............................................................................................................................. xiii Comparison of the Middle-Dutch copies ............................................................................. xv Comparison of the editions in different languages .............................................................. xvi West versus East – A story behind the frontispiece? ......................................................... xvii Overview of the contents of the complete text ........................................................................ xxi Justification of this edition ..................................................................................................... xxv An Anthology ............................................................................................................................. 1 The start of the journey .............................................................................................................. 3 On the City of Venice ................................................................................................................. 7 On the City of Padua .................................................................................................................. 9 A part of the commendation of Venice .................................................................................... 11 Journey from Venice to Parens ................................................................................................ 12 On the City of Parens ............................................................................................................... 19 The area between Zadar and Corfu .......................................................................................... 23 Journey to Methoni ................................................................................................................... 27 About Candia ............................................................................................................................ 29 Journey from Modon to Rhode ................................................................................................ 33 Journey to Cyprus ..................................................................................................................... 37 Arrival at the Holy Land .......................................................................................................... 39 From Rama to Jerusalem .......................................................................................................... 43 The Holy Grave ........................................................................................................................ 48 Jordan and the Dead Sea .......................................................................................................... 52 A parting of the travel company ............................................................................................... 54 About the inhabitants of the Holy Land ................................................................................... 60 The Saracens ........................................................................................................................ 60 The Jews ............................................................................................................................... 62 The Greek ............................................................................................................................. 64 The Surianis .......................................................................................................................... 69 The Jacobites ........................................................................................................................ 71 The Nestorians ...................................................................................................................... 73 i The Armenians ..................................................................................................................... 74 The Georgians ...................................................................................................................... 75 The Abyssinians or Indians .................................................................................................. 76 The Maronites ...................................................................................................................... 80 Reference List ............................................................................................................................ a Primary sources ...................................................................................................................... a Secondary sources .................................................................................................................. a Main reference source for anthology ..................................................................................... b Websites ................................................................................................................................. c Appendix A - The travel party ................................................................................................... d Appendix B - Journey in dates ................................................................................................... e Appendix C - List of libraries and their abbreviations ................................................................ f ii List of Figures Detail of the woodcut with animals – A Camel and a salamander. .......................................... iv Detail from the woodcut with animals – A crocodile. ............................................................... v Detail from the woodcut with Saracens – Female clothing. ..................................................... v Reuwich's printer mark in the Peregrinatio. ............................................................................. xi The frontispiece of Die Heylighe bevarden by Erhard Reuwich. ......................................... xviii Venice, part 1. .......................................................................................................................... 14 Venice, part 2. .......................................................................................................................... 15 Venice, part 3. .......................................................................................................................... 16 Venice, part 4. .......................................................................................................................... 17 Venice, part 5. .........................................................................................................................