'Al die willen naar 't oosten varen'. Middeleeuwse wereldbeelden in de reisverhalen van Christoffel Columbus.

Abstract

This thesis aims to take a look at and contextualize the various references to medieval travel tales in the travel-logs of Christopher Columbus. Starting in 1492, Columbus travelled to the new world a grand total of four times. During each visit, Columbus claimed to have found proof that he had, in fact, visited Asia. The existence of the American continent had, before the expeditions of Columbus and his peers, not been a common fact in medieval Europe. It was in fact believed that on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean lay the continent of Asia. It is therefore not surprising that various sources detailing the travels of Columbus describe creatures, peoples and riches usually associated with the Far East. Columbus had been prepared to go to Asia, and subsequently interpreted almost everything he saw via his medieval knowledge of that place.