flourished 14th century
English purported author of a collection of Middle English traveler's tales. The tales are selections from the narratives of genuine travelers, embellished with Mandeville's additions and described as his own adventures. The Voyage and Travels of Sir John Mandeville, Knight originated in French с 1356–57; an English version appeared с 1375. The narrator declares that he is writing of his travels in the years 1322 to 1356. Because most of the material was available in contemporary encyclopaedias and travel books, it is not clear whether the author ever traveled at all, but his literary skill and imagination have kept the book popular and highly readable. The actual author of the tales remains unknown. It is not certain that the English knight Sir John Mandeville ever existed.
Sir John Mandeville, detail from a manuscript, early 15th century; in the British Library (MS. Add. ...
Reproduced by permission of the British Library