Expert: Hank Hokamp - 2/17/2011

Question
How did people, such as high ranking clergy (Bishops) in the Catholic Church travel from town to town in Europe and Asia Minor?  Was it on horseback, or would they ride in a carriage?  If they rode on a carriage, what kind of carriage would it be? Would they travel with an entourage, and who would be in their entourage?  For example, how would all of the Bishops traveled from their home church to be present at the Council of Nicaea?

Answer

   Here's a surprise for you, Steve:

   The mules of Asia Minor, Syria, Cyprus, Egypt, and Algeria, as well as those of the district between the Tigris and the Persian frontier and in North China, are good. In the Punjab provinces of British India many excellent mules are bred, breeding being largely promoted by the Government.

   Good mules are reared in north and South America, the principal districts for breeding then in the United States being Kentucky, Missouri, and Kansas. The Kentucky mules are well shaped and slowly, being derived from nearly thoroughbred mares known as Kentucky trotters, while those reared in Missouri are hardly, and can endure much privation and hardship. The Mexican mule, bred by a male ass out of a male ass out of a mustang mare, is also a very hardy, strong, and useful animal.

   ALSO: Horses that pulled carriages. Some of the Bishops et al would travel with an entourage for protection. As you may know, a carriage is as fast as its horse, usually 30 mph. It's a wheeled vehicle that moves on wheels and usually has a container for transporting things or people. Ships were also used as a mode of travel.

   That's it from here, Steve. Interesting subject!

                                              HANK

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