The Travels of Marco Polo · Character
Sir John Mandeville
Also known as John Maundevile, the English Knight, John Mandeuill
- Minor
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 15
Sir John Mandeville stands in the text as a fellow traveller whose written wonders found an eager audience. His reputation is framed by the contrast between popular marvels and a more sober account, lending his name an intriguing, carefully polished distance.
- Gender
- male
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 15
- Books
- 1
Mandeville is presented as an English knight and traveller whose narrative circulated more widely than Marco Polo's, with substantially more manuscripts and early printed editions noted. His work appears among the travel books collected in the Livre des Merveilles. The account contrasts his marvels with Polo's more restrained record, but offers no personal history or relationships beyond his identity as a traveller and author.
Description
The text identifies Mandeville as an English knight and traveller but supplies no concrete physical portrait. His height, build, complexion, hair, eyes, face, and distinguishing features are unknown. No particular clothing or bearing is described; medieval travel attire may suit an illustration, but should not be mistaken for a textual detail.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1
Appearances
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