Greg Jenner

And what was his family situation like? Was he wealthy? Is he born into privilege?

And what was his family situation like? Was he wealthy? Is he born into privilege?

Right. So we know he was born in 1254. And that's it. That's right. Helpful. Okay. I'll turn to you, Ria. What do you imagine his childhood was like in medieval Venice before little Bambino Marco was splashing around in the canals?

Right. So we know he was born in 1254. And that's it. That's right. Helpful. Okay. I'll turn to you, Ria. What do you imagine his childhood was like in medieval Venice before little Bambino Marco was splashing around in the canals?

The Marshy era.

The Marshy era.

Sharon, I think we have done very well there. I think that's a very interesting summary of the 13th century of Venice. Can you tell us any more or are we good?

Sharon, I think we have done very well there. I think that's a very interesting summary of the 13th century of Venice. Can you tell us any more or are we good?

So we call this the Silk Road, despite it being seas, the Silk Road is this trade network.

So we call this the Silk Road, despite it being seas, the Silk Road is this trade network.

Yeah, have you heard the phrase?

Yeah, have you heard the phrase?

That's a very different type of website, Ria.

That's a very different type of website, Ria.

So that's Venice. Sharon, tell us about Polo's family relations. Do we know of his siblings, mother, father?

So that's Venice. Sharon, tell us about Polo's family relations. Do we know of his siblings, mother, father?

In my head, I'm thinking Marco Polo is the big exciting explorer, but the dad and uncle have already done it. So there's already a trade network there, which is kind of interesting. What is the court? Where is the court?

In my head, I'm thinking Marco Polo is the big exciting explorer, but the dad and uncle have already done it. So there's already a trade network there, which is kind of interesting. What is the court? Where is the court?

So Ria, Marco grew up not really seeing his dad or his uncle because they were off gallivanting around Western Asia. And then suddenly one day they came back and they came back with a message for the Pope from the Mongol Emperor. But daddy makes it up to little Marco by saying, I've come back, I've delivered my message to the Pope. And actually, I quite fancy going back out again.

So Ria, Marco grew up not really seeing his dad or his uncle because they were off gallivanting around Western Asia. And then suddenly one day they came back and they came back with a message for the Pope from the Mongol Emperor. But daddy makes it up to little Marco by saying, I've come back, I've delivered my message to the Pope. And actually, I quite fancy going back out again.