Zur terrestrischen Navigation in Mittelalter und früher Neuzeit

Abstract

This contribution sketches the essential aspects of terrestrial navigation in the late middle ages and early modern times. The emergence of terrestrial navigation is seen in the context of changes taking place in both trade policies and vessel types directly prior to this epoch. Whereas ships had previously remained in the vicinity of the coast for purposes of protection, now every effort was made to keep a safe distance from the coast. This principle was reflected in new navigational methods completely lacking any theoretical basis, particularly in a specific type of icourse-pointö navigation (Wegpunktnavigation). The new methods depended entirely upon the aid of the sounding Iead, the compass and sailing directions passed along in both oral and written form. For territory-related reasons, the log and sea chart did not play a role in navigation until a much later date.