How fast could you travel in the Middle Ages?

Travel through History in Medieval Times How Fast Could People Journey? Whilst the average Medieval peasant could walk at approx. 3 miles per hour, covering a mile every 20 minutes, professional couriers could trek up to 31, or 38 miles a day by foot!

What did they use to travel in Middle Ages?

Traveling parties in medieval Europe were not exactly rolling in the options for transportation means: horses, carts, and human feet. That last was by far the most common. (And it took five horses to move the cart even that “speed.”) Mounted travellers, on the other hand, could make much better speed.

How far will the pilgrims travel on horseback?

diary entry from 1713 reveals that it took him from dawn until early afternoon to ride the twenty-odd miles on horseback! were heavily rutted and muddy. Winter was the easiest season to travel, as the roads were frozen and people could use sleighs. Spring was the worst season to travel.

How fast did medieval caravans travel?

The Wikipedia article lists the time taken by a number of expeditions; the slowest took 60 days (16 km / 10 miles per day on average), while the fastest took 34 days.

How were the roads maintained in the Middle Ages?

The main roads were mainly kept in good repair by order of the king, who needed them to get himself and his armies around the kingdom. Other roads were often very poor and could be blocked unexpectedly. Someone on foot and in a hurry could travel fifteen to twenty miles a day in good conditions.

Were people stuck in their villages in the Middle Ages?

It’s a common misconception about the Middle Ages that people were stuck in their villages or towns and were unaware of what was going on elsewhere, but that was not the case. It’s true that some people never travelled further than the local market and others didn’t have the opportunity to travel.

How common was travel in the Middle Ages?

Travel was far more common among people higher up the social scale. The king and his court were almost constantly on the move. This was a practical necessity, as the size of the court meant that local resources would be consumed quickly. The king had many properties of his own, but he could also visit his nobles.

Did medieval people travel further than the local market?

It’s true that some people never travelled further than the local market and others didn’t have the opportunity to travel. Villeins, for example, were tied to their lord’s manor and could not leave it without his permission, but freemen could go, more or less, wherever they wanted.