Friar Odoric of Pordenone returns from China

1329

The Franciscan friar arrived back in Padua after fourteen years wandering the Mongol world, dictating an account of Khanbaliq's postal relays, Hangzhou's canals, and the pepper gardens of Malabar. He described foot-binding, fishing with cormorants, and cities larger than any in Europe. His Relatio fed European fantasies of the East and supplied details that would reappear in Mandeville's fictional travels.