Following the First Crusade, which concluded in 1099, the year 1146 saw the continued impact of the Crusades on trade routes between Europe and the East. Cities like Venice and Genoa began to thrive as trade hubs, facilitating cultural exchange and the flow of goods. This burgeoning trade network would later influence the economy and literary culture of Europe.

The increased trade and cultural exchange inspired poets and writers to explore themes of adventure and discovery in their works. The travels of merchants and pilgrims would later be reflected in the literature of the time, as seen in works like 'The Travels of Marco Polo', which, while written later, drew upon the earlier influences of the Crusades.