ABSTRACT
The European world once again came more into general contact with the lands to the east after the end of the 11th century and the preaching of the Crusades. The desire to serve Christianity, the increasing emphasis on display of piety through pilgrimage, and perhaps just the wish to visit and explore lands other than one’s own all led to a revival of interest in travel. Proselytising and diplomatic missions, such as those of Carpini, Rubruquis, and Odoric, or the famous account of Marco Polo, are included in this chapter.
