The Travels of Sir John Mandeville

After Sinai, Jerusalem is the next stop for most. The land between is largely desert, inhabited by hostile, nomadic Muslim tribes (whom Mandeville fought on behalf of the sultan). Before Jerusalem, the traveler reaches Bethlehem. Mandeville emphasizes Christian landmarks at many points along the way, such as an oak that was green from the time of Abraham to Jesus’s death; he claims that once a Christian lord takes Mass under this tree, all Muslims and Jews will convert.

At Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, are more areas of religious significance. There is a field where the first roses bloomed when God saved a woman from a false accusation, the bones of the Three Kings that visited the Baby Jesus, and a marble stained by the breast milk of Mary. Mandeville then comments on Islamic dietary restrictions before noting that it is only two miles from Bethlehem to Jerusalem and listing holy sites on this route.

Mandeville details the geography of Jerusalem and claims it is constantly changing ownership because Jesus does not want it to remain under the control of nonbelievers or sinners for long. Mandeville hopes that Muslims do not control it for much longer.

Upon first entering Jerusalem, most pilgrims go to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a beautiful place that is now walled off because too many people tried to break off parts as souvenirs. By this church is the Hill of Calvary, where Jesus was crucified. This is the same place where Adam’s head was found after Noah’s Flood—a sign that Adam’s sins would be redeemed there. Mandeville tells the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus in his chapter, explaining the location and current appearance of many biblical scenes. Many natural phenomena testify to the place’s holiness: The rocks where Jesus was whipped constantly drip water as though weeping, the hoofprints of the mule Jesus rode can be seen at a gate, the cross that bore Jesus brought a man back to life, and one of the nails that pierced Jesus was carried by Emperor Constantine, allowing him to conquer all the lands between Rome and India (regions that Mandeville hopes will be Christian again soon).

Close to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the Temple Mount, a place that Muslims do not allow Christians or Jews to enter. Mandeville, however, was allowed in because of his friendship with the Egyptian sultan. He gives a history of the temple and then describes its holy relics and the numerous important events in Christian history that occurred there. Mandeville then lists other nearby sites that may appeal to Christians. For each, he includes information about what can be seen there and what occurred to give the spot its significance.

Moving outside of Jerusalem, Mandeville continues to focus on locations that might attract pilgrims. No directions are given, but he describes the travel as a continuous trip, noting the distance from one area to the next. Eventually, the journey goes to the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea separates Judea (corresponding to parts of modern-day Israel and Palestine) and Arabia (specifically, modern-day Jordan). Its name comes from the inability of life to exist by or in it. It is too salty to nourish plants or contain fish, every city that has been built near it has been destroyed, any living creature put into it is thrown out, and any ships that are not covered in pitch sink on it. Iron floats on top of it, but feathers sink. It is useful in some ways though, as asphalt comes out of it every day.

The River Jordan flows into the Dead Sea. Along the river is the spot where Jesus was baptized, and many Christians now bathe there. A traveler can visit more holy sites while leaving this area, eventually reaching the Castle of Krak, an old Crusader stronghold. Moving on from there is a church with a wall that once displayed the head of John the Baptist. This was taken to Constantinople later. Also around here are the Samaritans. People of different religions wear headdresses to distinguish themselves: Muslims wear white, Christians wear blue, and Jewish people wear yellow. Those who are not Muslim must pay an extra tax. Mandeville ends the chapter by writing out the Hebrew alphabet.

The next leg of the trip is through Galilee, which is also home to many religious sites. Among these is the city of Chorozin, where the Antichrist will be born during the end times. Going through Galilee, one can reach Nazareth, where Jesus and Mary grew up. The church there is looked after well by the Muslims because of the profitability of pilgrim tourism. Other Muslims in the area have ruined many Christian religious sites. Mandeville uses Nazareth as a central point, giving information on many locations near it.

Setting out from Nazareth, travelers can go to the city of Tiberius and then Damascus in Syria. Mandeville says that it is custom in Syria to send letters using doves. Also in Syria is a sect of Christians called Jacobites. They believe confessions should be made to God instead of to priests because confessing to priests is not a part of the Bible. They confess to fires, in which they burn incense. Other sects in the area have minor doctrinal differences but all identify as Christian.