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William of Boldensele

Wilhelm von Boldensele

Biography

Wilhelm von Boldensele (c. 1285 – 1338/39), born Otto of Nygenhusen, was a German friar, knight, and pilgrim from Saxony.

### Early Life and Religious Career

Prior to his pilgrimage, Otto was a Dominican friar. He took the name Wilhelm upon leaving the Dominican Order, indicating that he had abandoned his life as a member of the order before embarking on his journey.

### Pilgrimage and Travels

Wilhelm traveled to the eastern Mediterranean under Papal auspices between 1332 and 1336. His mission was likely a reconnaissance trip for a future crusade, but it also had strong religious undertones. During his travels, he visited various locations in the region, including Constantinople, Chios, Rhodes, Cyprus, and possibly Athens.

### Meetings with Notable Figures

While traveling through the eastern Mediterranean, Wilhelm met several notable figures. One of these was Andronikos III, the Byzantine emperor, who entrusted him with a letter for the sultan of Egypt. This suggests that Wilhelm's mission had diplomatic implications as well as religious ones.

### Observations and Accounts

Wilhelm's travels took him to various holy sites in the region. In 1333, he recorded that Jews regularly visited graves in Jerusalem, highlighting the significance of these locations for different faiths. He also mentioned the natural cave (Grotto of Gethsemane) in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus and his disciples retreated to pray after the Last Supper.

### Knighthood and Legacy

In Jerusalem, Wilhelm was knighted into the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. This order was a chivalric organization dedicated to protecting Christian pilgrims and holy sites in the region. Wilhelm's account of his travels, titled "Liber de quibusdam ultramarinis partibus et praecipue de Terra sancta" (Book on Certain Parts Beyond the Sea and Especially the Holy Land), provides valuable insights into the politics, culture, and geography of the eastern Mediterranean during this period.

### Death

Wilhelm von Boldensele died in 1338/39.