Abstract:
The report represents Gilbert de Lannoy – XV-th century traveler
and diplomat, who successfully participating in treaty of Troyes got
a rapid advancement in the court of Duke of Burgundy, Philip the
Good. For fully understanding the scale of Lannoy’s activities, it is
noteworthy that he was in a diplomatic service of English and Central
European Monarchs as well.
The fact that Lannoy is curious and brilliant observer, accurately
discerns as an eyewitness and at the same time he manages to be
concise and emotionally neutral, makes his notifications [Voiages et
Ambassades] as a valuable source for the reconstruction of that turbulent
epoch.
The report is concentrated on that period of Diplomat’s activities,
when he under the service of Henry Lancaster, conducted the
voyage in 1421-1423. After declaring himself sovereign of England
and France, Henry V immediately declared Crusade against Ottomans
without Pope’s input. This step was an expression of the rapid
growth of secular power and the unification of entire Christendom
under its power. This ambition was most clearly expressed by Emperor
Charles V in next century. No better candidate could be found than Gilbert de Lannoy – an
experienced person in Eastern Europe (communications with Poles,
Hungarians) to investigate, collect the information and establish
diplomatic relations. Therefore, he was selected as a courier.
He was the person who had to observe the current political climate,
military readiness and attitudes among Christians in general in
order to make this expedition possible. It is noteworthy, that the mission
of reconnaissance of ‘Holy Land’ was not even known to most
of his henchmen; Lannoy’s true intentions required formal visits and
diplomatic contacts with those (rulers)- it can also be omitted who
controlled certain section of potential route of military campaign towards
Syria-Palestine.
The route itself and the persons who Lannoy met is very interesting
(Master of Teutonic Order; King Vladislav V of Poland, who was
an ally of Ottomans against the Hungarians; Vitold, Grand Duke of
Lithuania, Byzantine Emperor Manual II and his son John); He was
also planning to visit the Ottoman court which failed due to the controversy
in Turkish sultanate after the death of the Sultan.
During his travel, Lannoy also turned out to be in Genoese port
on the Black Sea, Kaff a. Presumably, he had been instructed to mark
all the possible routes which would move a military campaign forward
more effectively. We suppose that was the reason why he insisted
on finding a guide who would be able to bypass the Black Sea and
thus move forward to Jerusalem. In case of choosing this direction
Georgian Lands might have been in the sight area of the traveler but
finally Lannoy preferred to go to Constantinople by ship.
The planned Crusade did not take place due to the death of
Henry Lancaster, although Lannoy’s notifications are indirect but yet
worthy source for the investigating the foreign vector of Georgian
realms of those days retrospectively.
