General background:
Currently, I am writing an extensively-footnoted biography of an
Elizabeth-King James English Catholic who lived from approximately
1574 to 1617. During his lifetime my subject travelled and presumably
left tracks upon European records, possibly noted in several
languages, if such records do exist. Much is known about Francis
Tregian the Younger?s life in England, little about his years on the
continent. He was a quiet person who left few traces, seemingly not
even letters. Yet he left a great collection of contemporary music
compiled during his lifetime.
I here turn therefore to the internet for help in advancing his story
during more than twenty years of his life, first to his travels from
Rome, through Basel - perhaps other Swiss towns as well - on his way
to Brussels, Amsterdam, and later possibly to Spain, 1584-1611.
Some writings may exist in Catholic School records and government,
city, business, and personal accounts by those who may have touched
his life in locations specified above ? church and government leaders,
composers of music, military men, even producers and manufacturers of
paper and writing supplies ? if such records exist and by now have
been transferred to the internet, references possibly written in
French, Latin, German, Flemish, Dutch, or Spanish. (No one
GAResearcher need be fluent in all those languages, but some may be
proficient in one or two, when and IF we finally do get to them.)
Here is my first Google Answers question about a then young man ?
four hundred years ago! ? who came from a Cornish family, was educated
from age eight forward in Catholic schools in France, was trained in
music, was known for eloquence, worked in Rome as a chamberlain for an
English cardinal, and around 1595 travelled from Rome through Basel to
Brussels, and in 1606 returned to England to reaquire confiscated
family property, only to be imprisoned where his father and mother had
spent so much of their own lives. (The foregoing is for the
Researcher?s orientation, process, and judgement.)
MY QUESTION:
During the years 1594, 95, and 1596, what existing roads at that time
and the cities found along them (particularly including BASEL, where
writing supplies probably were purchased), seem most attractive to the
likely interests of Francis Tregian (i.e., his interest in the
availability of music ? keyboard, madrigals, church music,
friendliness toward Catholics, safety, conditions of the roads
themselves)? I am looking for the most likely route and the towns
mostly enjoyed by travellers during those years and some word about
road condition if mentioned and recorded; I am NOT expecting the
Researcher to research all of these details, simply to note details as
they may be available and if your judgement so inclines. (I will do
SUBSEQUENT research.)
I DO EXPECT, however, careful footnoting all references accessed.
(This is my initial and trial question posed to ?Google Answers.? I
will be interested in the answers and any offered thoughts.)
For such information, personal judgement as the Researcher determines,
and fine source referencing: $100. plus my thanks for all of the good
work done. |
Request for Question Clarification by
scriptor-ga
on
16 Jan 2004 11:20 PST
Dear 1458,
I am, alas, very disappointed with the sources I could find during
several hours of searchin in the library. The information I got was
simply not sophisticated enough for writing an adequate answer. I have
already notified my colleagues that this question is open again for
them to work on. To support their efforts, and for you as free basic
information, here is what I assume concerning Francis Tregian route
from Rome to Brussels.
The most probable travel route would have, without any doubt, followed
the important trade roads. The term "road" is a bit misleading because
in the late 16th century, European traffic routes were far from what
we call roads today. I am quite sure that Francis Tregian would have
chosen a route that touched as many residencies of local princes as
possible, since such places were centers of the emerging baroque
culture, including the art of music. The role of urban patrician
traders as patrons of the arts was in decline by that time. So this is
what I regard a logical possible route:
I. From Rome to Basel
- Rome
- Siena
- Florence (residency of the Grand Duke of Tuscany)
- Parma
- Milan (residency of the Spanish governor of Lombardy)
- Como
- St. Gotthard Pass (Alps)
- Basel (cultural center of Switzerland then)
Alternative route:
- Milan
- Aosta
- Grand St. Bernhard Pass (Alps)
- Freiburg
- Bern
- Basel
II. From Basel to Brussels
- staying on the western side of the Rhine
- Colmar
- Straßburg
- Speyer (residency of the Bishop of Speyer, but under religious unrest)
- Worms (Free Imperial City and residency of the Bishop of Worms)
- Mainz (residency of the Prince-Elector and Archbishop of Mainz)
- Köln [Cologne] (Free Imperial City)
- Maastricht
- Diest
- Mechelen
- Brussels
During almost the entire 16th century, the Spanish were fighting
against the rebellious Dutch. Since 1589, the frontline was located
along the Maas river and the mouth of the Rhine. This was quite far
away from the route proposed above, but a cautious traveller may have
preferred a road even more far away from the zones of combat. So here
is an alternative route:
- Straßburg
- Luxemburg
- Dinant
- Namur
- Brussels
I hope that one of my colleagues will get access to better source
material than I could find. Your fascinating question deserves an
appropriate answer.
Very best regards,
Scriptor
|
