The early modern era is often envisioned as one in which European genres, both narrative and visual, diverged indelibly from those of medieval times. This collection examines a disparate set of travel texts, dating from the thirteenth to the seventeenth centuries, to question that divergence and to assess the modes, themes, and ethnologies of travel writing. It demonstrates the enduring nature of the itinerary, the variant forms of witnessing (including imaginary maps), the crafting of sacred space as a cautionary tale, and the use of the travel narrative to represent the transformation of the authorial self. Focusing on European travelers to the expansive East, from the soft architecture of Timur's tent palaces in Samarqand to the ambiguities of sexual identity at the Mughul court, these essays reveal the possibilities for cultural translation as travelers of varying experience and attitude confront remote and foreign (or not so foreign) space.

"The Pilgrim's Way to St. Patrick's Purgatory" traces a route for the modern pilgrim across Ireland and across the boundaries of the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. It begins in Dublin and ends at Lough Derg in County Donegal, bringing travelers on a journey through the medieval past and the fragmentary riches that remain today. It provides a cultural itinerary that can be traveled by car or bike, on foot, and even partly by boat, through one of the loveliest landscapes of Ireland and Europe. This publication, offered in both print and digital formats, presents an introduction to the topic, an exploration of a taxonomy for medieval pilgrimage and an overview of what the early pilgrims have told us about the route. It features descriptions of the monuments, relics and saints along the way, as well as a stage-by-stage description of the journey itself. Ancillary materials include travelers' information, a complete bibliography, a chronology and index. 54 photos, 23 maps and plans. 204 pages

Every service that marks a death or the anniversary of a death, remembers the life of a unique person and should be prepared with utmost care and thought, and approached with reverence. We tread on holy ground when we accompany those who are experiencing loss. This practical and extremely helpful resource book provides guidelines for creating individualised funeral, thanksgiving and memorial services and includes a wide range of prayers, readings and reflections for each stage of the service from the gathering words of welcome to the committal and final blessing, and suggestions for symbolic acts of remembrance. Resources are also included for creating special services, such as for those facing their first Christmas after a bereavement. All resources may be downloaded from the accompanying CD Rom. Pastoral guidance is offered for every step of the way in funeral ministry, including the first visit to a bereaved family, prayers for a funeral visit, making practical arrangements with funeral directors, crafting orders of service, using music and images, and supporting those in particularly distressing circumstances.