Nicolas de Martoni (fl. 1394-1395)

by Zhao Luyang 赵鲁阳 (See Chinese translation)

Nicolas de Martoni (alternative names) was a notary, who was born in Carinola, Italy, presumably in middle of the 14th century. The only source about him is the account of his trip to the Holy Land. Martoni and his wife Constanza had two children who died prematurely and were buried in the family tomb in the patronal chapel of S. Caterina in the cathedral of Carinola. His brother was the archdeacon of that cathedral.

He was the first pilgrim who visited the sanctuaries of Jerusalem led by two Friars Minor, who not only offered him spiritual assistance but also the opportunity to participate in liturgical celebrations. Later the Order of Friars Minor also introduced him, and all subsequent pilgrims, to the Muslim authority.

Martoni was also one of the first Westerners to meet Ethiopian pilgrims, whom he misrecognized as Indians.

His wife died on 6 April 1395. His own place and date of death are unknown.

His most important book, Vers Jérusalem: Itinéraires croisés au XIVe siècle describes his own journey, as well as that of Ogier d’Anglure, to Jerusalem. The work has been neglected until Leon le Grande brought the manuscript to light and published it in 1895 with a careful introduction and explanation.

Nicolas de Martoni travelled in June 1394 from Italy to the Holy Land. The noble Ogier d’Anglure set off from Champagne in June 1394 for the Holy Land as well. Although their destination was the same, their ambitions and perspectives diverged completely. Martoni’s journey turned out to be a real odyssey with storms and pirates. He also paid an extra visit to Greece. The route of Ogier d’Anglure was more traditional. His description is richer in picturesque anecdotes and accounts of his religious aspirations. Bringing together these two texts, which cover a similar time period but feature a stage with such different actors, offers a unique opportunity to present cross-perspectives on the “Holy Journey”. It shows how different the experience of pilgrimage could be.