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Prologue: The Medieval Atlantic Ocean

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Studies in the Medieval Atlantic

Part of the book series: The New Middle Ages ((TNMA))

Abstract

The Greeks knew the Atlantic Ocean as an area of mystery littered with fantastic islands populated by incredible creatures. Romans were never really comfortable on it, although their military surveys were responsible for some of the most accurate information about it. Commerce conducted on the ocean made the Celts wealthy, and they believed that some of their deities lived on sacred islands. Vikings turned the sea into their private highway; by the eleventh century they had settlements on both the eastern and western shores. In the High Middle Ages the Atlantic assumed multiple roles from troop thoroughfare to economic freeway. Nations were fighting for control of it at the end of the medieval period, marking their areas of influence with claims ratified by the papacy.

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Notes

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  1. Benjamin Hudson
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Hudson, B. (2012). Prologue: The Medieval Atlantic Ocean. In: Hudson, B. (eds) Studies in the Medieval Atlantic. The New Middle Ages. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137062390_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137062390_1

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-349-29892-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-06239-0

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave History CollectionHistory (R0)

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