I didn't know that about Switzerland and the "alps". Very interesting. I've heard stories about using using cows. It's not so far fetched because cows would be more attainable and served more than one purpose. I'm also aware of the rights granted to the lower classes in the late medieval to early Renaissance Era. Alot of fascinating rebellions that led to the common classes restoring some of their rights. I believe the holy Roman empire lended itself to the situation by being leas centrally dominated than France or England. From what I know it was a web of independent operators which were loosely grouped together, so rights could vary widely across the empire. Overall it seems the lower classes enjoyed more freedom and representation quit earlier than the rest of the western big powers. I was not aware that Hungary imported alot of cattle, but it would make sense due to the expansive grasslands. As for the last part about traveling nobles, that was the norm since the fall of the roman empire. Lords/kings would travel to designated areas staying with their vassals to dispense justice and no doubt for some, to ease their own financial burden. In English history, there are multiple nobles who bankrupted themselves readying their estates for an impending monarchs visit. They would do it to get into the monarchs good graces in hopes of lucrative contracts. There are stories where the monarch never showed up, and the lord ended up bankrupt anyway without the monarch reimbursing them with favors. I usually would never use from this site, but I've read it and it's well written. https://www.history.com/news/elizabeth-i-royal-progress-expense