More specifically for England and/or Persia during the 1500's. Anything from customs and food to ships and clothing would be helpful. Emphasis on river boats for Persia, because it's relevant to this one chapter that I'm currently writing.
And if anyone is interested in being part of a small research team, just so we can contact each other with any questions regarding history, I'm desperate and I'd love your help :'D
Hi! Boat expert here. What kind of boats would you like to know about? In Persia, most river boats were built to the Qatar Islam style, with one mast, open decks, and thin, wooden bodies. The one you've probably heard about is the dhow, but there are lots of other kinds if you want to know about them. I know a bit about the trade routes through Persia too, so if you need that I can talk about it.
Oh, awesome! Thanks so much for contacting me. Would you happen to know what kind of river boats were used for long distances travelling, if any?
Most boats in the Persian gulf area were designed for short distance fishing or pearling, but you can find examples of dhows of sizes meant for long distance travel. The only specific type I've found is the shuw'i, used for short distance cargo transportation occasionally but mostly for fishing. There were bigger ones meant for long distance trade, but most never went to far out into the open ocean. (locals really had no reason to, there were plenty of other merchants ships around to take stuff in and out of the gulf.)
For travel around that area for the western powers, as far as I know the Persian gulf was owned and controlled by the Portuguese, so if any ships came through there, they would be small, merchant class vessels. There were about 192 English trading ships around during this time period, but I'd have to really intensely research if you wanted specific names of ships. The main trading port they would be visiting was probably Muscat, at the head of the gulf.
Also, if this is important to your story's plot at all, you may want to consider reading up about the actions of the Ottoman fleet in the 1500's, because they were out a'conquering, and managed to capture several ports on the Persian gulf during this time period. (including the aforementioned Qatar) This may not be important for you, but just in case.
Hope this helps!
Yes, that helps a bunch! I hope it wasn't too troublesome for you to find. Either way, I'm really grateful. Seriously, thank you so much!
Sail on!
In relation to your query about England, I for one know that the city of Bristol was very prolific then. Bristol is quite large, but was also quite shady, so crime was rife there. I’m taking History GSCE and lately I learnt that the great plague of 1348 came to Britain through Bristol, so you may find this helpful. Good luck in your book!
I have a bachelors in renaissance history, and wrote a thesis about renaissance England, so ask away!
Awesome! Do you mind if I keep your 'contact' when and if I have any further questions?