The Travels of Sir John Mandeville: a book of marvels (Aziloth Books)

Published in Anglo-Norman sometime between 1357 and 1371, 'The Travels of Sir Jehan de Mandeville' became extremely popular and was translated into many European languages. It was also very influential, with (among others) Christopher Columbus utilising its information in planning his own explorations. The book tells of Sir John's 35-year adventure, from leaving England on Michaelmas Day 1322 until his enforced return, crippled with arthritic gout in 1357. Crammed with fantastic accounts - including dog-headed men, a woman transformed into a Dragon, an Arabian phoenix, and meetings with the Cyclops - Sir John's travels take him through Europe, the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, then eastwards into India and China, and thence to the Kingdom of the fabled Prester John. Though it may appear both marvelous and fantastic, interspersed among these entertaining tales are accounts of real historical, cultural and geographic importance.