Brief Biography:
Not much is known about Bernard the Wise. He is listed in the Catholic database, but only his itenerary is listed. His approximate dates would be from 840 to 900 A.D. He was a Catholic monk, believed to have been French, and was at least connected enough to pay for this his journey.
Brief Itinerary:
Rome to Mount Garganus
Mount Garganus to Barris
Barris to Tarentum
Tarentum to Alexandria
Alexandria to Babylonia
Babylonia to Sitinuth
Sitinuth to Maalla
Maalla to Damias
Damias to Tanis
Tanis to Farama
Farama to el Ariza
el Ariza to Ramla
Ramla to Emmaus
Emmaus To Jerusalem
Jerusalem to Bethlehem
Bethlehem to Jerusalem
Jerusalem to Mount of Gold
Mount of Gold to Rome.
Brief History of the Text:
The earliest manuscript was lost in a fire in England in the 12th century. The present text is believed to bethe work of Bernard the Wise himself; however, there is no conslucive verification. If he indeed did write it, the original date would be around 875 A.D. The original manuscript was in Latin. The earliest English translation can be found in an 1848 edition called Early travels in Palestine, comprising the narratives of Arculf, Willibald, Bernard, Sæwulf, Sigurd, Benjamin of Tudela, Sir John Maundeville, De la Brocquière, and Maundrell. published in London by Bohn. Another edition appeared in 1893 called The itinerary of Bernard the Wise.
(A.D. 870). How the city of Jerusalem is situated. (Circ. A.D. 1090?) published by the Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund in London. The AMS press republished this edition in 1971. There are several publications of the Latin text plus a French translation (1839) of the work.
