I continue uploading chapters from my second book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East," on Academia. The latest contribution is John of Plano Carpini. https://www.academia.edu/92996408/John_of_Plano_Carpini_docx
The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The Franciscan monk returned, having endured painful hardships, to tell a fascinating story about the Mongols' habits and mores. He also provided food for thought for the imminent threat of a military assault against Western Europe and advocated for European mutual security. Tags: John of Plano Carpini, Pope Innocent, Great Khan Guyuk.
My work on the third project, "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation," is in full swing. I have recently finished updating the drafts of the two initial chapters, The Galley vs. the Round Ship and The Early Light Galleys.
The outline of Chapter 1 remained more or less the same, comprising six parts: The Galley (Landlubber, Name and appearance, Low freeboard, Propulsion, Choppy seas, Hugging the coast, Wintering, and Provisioning); The Round Ship (Propulsion, Lack of wind, Sailing styles, Storms, The Myth of the “closed sea”); Comparison and contrast (Definition, LBR, Seaworthiness, Mode of sailing, Arsenals and private shipyards); The Technological Breakthrough; The Diet; Reappraisal).
LBR stands for length-to-beam ratio, a standard measurement.
Chapter 2's blueprint includes LBR dimensions, Functions of galleys, Sailing season, Nocturnal voyage, Operational range, Speed and watering of the crews, Coastal shipping and beaching, Shipworm and Life Expectancy, Visibility, Seaworthiness, Byzantine innovations, Latin achievements, Medieval Triremes & Centerline Rudder, Horse transports, Purpose-built galleys.
I may introduce minor alterations, but the plan will stay put. I want to upload these papers, but first of all, I have to complete the second project. The approximate time is winter-spring 2023.
I have started collecting data for Chapter 3, The Later Light Galleys, which will embrace Vettor Fausto's quinquereme and several other topics.
https://www.geschichtsforum.de/thema/die-quinquereme-von-vettor-fausto-die-groesste-galeere-aller-zeiten.24504/
Last but not least, I have prepared the first part of the lecture on Alexander's Wall, a medieval legend with multiple twists. I will deliver it by zoom as soon as I get in touch with the Historical and Philosophical Circle coordinators.
