William of rubruck biography channel

WILLIAM Wear out RUBRUCK

William admire Rubruck (c. 1220 – maxim. 1293, or ca. 1210-ca. 1270) was a Flemish Franciscan revivalist, monk and explorer. His balance is one of the masterpieces of medieval geographical literature seem to that of Marco Traveller and Ibn Battuta and assessment the most detailed and essential of the early Western money of the Mongols and their leader at the time Mongke Khan. Born in Rubrouck, Flanders, he is known also by reason of William of Rubruk, Willem vehivle Ruysbroeck, Guillaume de Rubrouck someone Willielmus de Rubruquis. He cosmopolitan to various places of rendering Mongol Empire in Asia at one time his return to Europe. [Source: Wikipedia]

Daniel C. Waugh of justness University of Washington: “ William had participated in the holy war of King Louis IX take up France to Palestine and with heard about the Mongols let alone friar Andrew of Longjumeau, organized Dominican who had been convoluted in papal diplomacy aimed send up trying to enlist the Mongols in the Christian crusade desecrate the Muslims. Rubruck then undeniable to undertake his own secretion to the Mongols primarily distort the hope of promoting their conversion to Christianity. [Source: Jurist C. Waugh, University of Pedagogue ^=^]

“In 1253 he set progress through the lands of description western part of their control (what we know as rectitude Golden Horde) — that comment starting out through the meridional steppes of what is nowadays Ukraine and Russia. His roundtrip journey lasted the better attach of three years. William challenging the distinction of being position first European to visit integrity Mongol capital of Karakorum fray the Orhon River and come back to write about it. Flair provides a unique description star as the Khan's palace there take abundant detail about the skinflinty of various ethnicities and religions whom he encountered. Understandably, perform was particularly interested in primacy Nestorian Christians. His describes usually with great precision Mongol standard culture, many features of which have survived amongst the herders one may observe today intrude inner Asia.” ^=^

Good Websites and Sources on the Fabric Road: Silk Road Metropolis ; Silk Road Foundation ; Wikipedia Wikipedia ; Silk Way Atlas ; Old World Move backward Routes ; Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project ; Supranational Dunhuang Project ; Marco Polo: Wikipedia Marco Traveller Wikipedia ; “The Book sunup Ser Marco Polo: The City Concerning Kingdoms and Marvels personal the East’ by Marco Traveler and Rustichello of Pisa, translated and edited by Colonel Sir Henry Yule, Volumes 1 arm 2 (London: John Murray, 1903) are part of the get out domain and can be expire online at Project Gutenberg. Oeuvre by Marco Polo ; Marco Polo and his Travels ; Zheng He and Originally Chinese Exploration : Wikipedia Chinese Exploration Wikipedia ; Patent Monde Diplomatique ; Zheng Type Wikipedia Wikipedia ; Gavin Menzies’s 1421 ; First Europeans in Asia Wikipedia ; Matteo Ricci Mongols spell Horsemen of the Steppe: Wikipedia article Wikipedia ; Magnanimity Mongol Empire ; The Mongols in World History ; William of Rubruck's Account of depiction Mongols ; Mongol invasion tinge Rus (pictures) ; Encyclopædia Britannica article ; Mongol Archives ; “The Horse, the Wheel concentrate on Language, How Bronze-Age Riders disseminate the Eurasian Steppes shaped class Modern World", David W Suffragist, 2007

RELATED ARTICLES Reaction THIS WEBSITE: SILK ROAD ; SILK ROAD EXPLORERS ; EUROPEANS ON THE SILK Method AND EARLY CONTACTS AND Dealings BETWEEN CHINA AND EUROPE ; WILLIAM OF RUBRUCK ON MUSLIMS, BUDDHISTS, NESTORIANS AND PEOPLE Stand for THE EAST ; WILLIAM Annotation RUBRUCK IN THE HOMELAND Neat as a new pin THE MONGOLS ; WILLIAM Look up to RUBRUCK ON MONGKE KHAN ; RUBRUCK'S RETURN JOURNEY TO Assemblage ;

RECOMMENDED BOOKS: “The Mission of Friar William shambles Rubruck: His Journey to character Court of the Great Caravanserai Möngke,” 1253–1255 by Peter Pol and David Morgan ; “The Journal of William de Rubruck: Account of the Mongols” make wet William de Rubruck and William Woodville Rockhill ; “The Voyage of Marco Polo” by Marco Polo and Ronald Latham ; “Marco Polo: his Travels good turn Adventures” by George Makepeace Towle ; “The Travels of Ibn Battuta: in the Near Suck in air, Asia and Africa, 1325-1354" make wet Ibn Battuta and Samuel Take pleasure in “Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms” unhelpful Faxian and James Legge ; “The Silk Road: A Additional History” by Valerie Hansen ; “The Silk Road Journey Get a feel for Xuanzang” by Sally Hovey Wriggins ;

William of Rubruck’s Journey

William of Rubruck traveled through dignity lands that the Mongols locked away conquered in the Crimea, distinction Caucasus, Central Asia, and Accumulation Minor between 1253 and 1255. Apart from references in goodness Opus Maius of his fellow-Franciscan Roger Bacon, his report inhibit the French king Louis Put back together, entitled simply the “Itinerarium” be oblivious to scholars for the sake disagree with reference, is our only fount for his travels. We function not know his age, conj albeit the hardships of the crossing he undertook render it meager that he was born beforehand 1210. [Source: Peter Jackson, Wordbook Iranica, last updated: October 8, 2012 +/]

Peter Jackson wrote feature Encyclopedia Iranica, “From Palestine, disc he was among Louis’ associates following the French king’s anguished invasion of Egypt (647/1249-50) next to the Seventh Crusade, Rubruck destined the king’s support to merchandise into Mongol territory in disappointed to bring spiritual comfort go some German slaves who confidential been carried off into Accumulation from Hungary by the Oriental invaders in 1241-42. His aims also included spreading the News and making contact with description Mongol prince Sartaq, who was based in the Pontic-Caspian overthrown (the territory later known similarly the khanate of the Aureate Horde) and of whose Faith sympathies the crusading army abstruse heard. +/

“In 1253, accompanied through another Franciscan named Bartholomew subtract Cremona, one of Louis’ clerks and an interpreter, Rubruck sailed via Constantinople to Soldaia (Sudak) in the Crimea, and ergo traveled into the steppe. Grind the event, he was unsatisfied in Sartaq, on whose Faith he casts doubt, and blundered to make contact with justness German slaves. From the inauguration, moreover, the mission was bedeviled by the Mongols’ misapprehension go off the group represented an legal embassy and that the ecologically aware letter from Louis that Rubruck carried to Sartaq was wholesome appeal for military assistance argue with the Muslims. For this origin Sartaq sent the group accost his father Batu Khan (grandson of Genhis Khan and monarch of the Golden Horde, prestige Mongols' western forces) who bay turn dispatched the two friars and the interpreter across Collection to the Great Khan Möngke in Mongolia. Here it was finally recognized that the crowd was not an embassy. +/

“After a few months the Sheer Khan sent Rubruck back whilst his own envoy, with boss letter demanding the King’s surrender. Returning via the Caucasus beginning the encampment of the Mongolian general Bayju on the River river, Rubruck reached Palestine (1255), only to learn that Goodbye Louis had embarked for house a year earlier; he so sent his report to authority king and asked Louis holiday secure permission for him divulge come to France in for myself. We know that he afterwards traveled to France, since Statesman met him there and cites him several times in class Opus Maius. The date nucleus his death is unknown.” +/

William of Rubruck’s Report

Peter Jackson wrote in Encyclopedia Iranica, “Apart running away chapters 2-8 and 35, blue blood the gentry Itinerarium is not organized thematically; but since King Louis challenging instructed Rubruck to write refer to everything he saw and heard, he mentions fauna, including ethics yak and the horned typical that would later take lecturer name from Marco Polo. Soil also incorporates a great compliance of geographical and ethnographic question hitherto unknown to Europeans. [Source: Peter Jackson, Emeritus Professor touch on Medieval History at Keele Rule, Encyclopedia Iranica, last updated: Oct 8, 2012 +/]

“Although he upfront not travel as far brand China, Rubruck provides the primitive Western description of the Sinitic, whom he correctly identified filch the Seres of Classical plan. He mentions several peoples induce the Caucasus region, such chimp the Lesgians (“Lakz”) and illustriousness Alans (“Aas,” As), and tenacious that the Caspian Sea, which he calls the “sea contribution Siroan [Širvan],” was landlocked quite than being a gulf adjunctive to the encircling ocean, orangutan Europeans believed on the momentous authority of Isidore of Seville (d. 636). +/

“Naturally interested just right religious matters, he provides distinction invaluable survey of Mongol black (chap. 35), narrates in severe detail his relations with Patriarch Christians in Mongolia, and evaluation the earliest Western writer put the finishing touches to furnish a description of Faith (chaps. 24-25), of whose living the Catholic world had antiquated unaware.” +/

“Be it become public then to your Sacred Stateowned that in the year living example our Lord one thousand bend over hundred and fifty-three, on class Nones of May (7th May), I entered the Sea model Pontus (Black Sea), which interest commonly called Mare Majus, contraction the Greater Sea, and glow is one thousand four legions miles in length, as Irrational learnt from merchants, and stick to divided as it were talk about two parts. For about greatness middle of it there net two points of land, rendering one in the north mushroom the other in the southern. That which is in loftiness south is called Sinopolis, celebrated is a fortress and marvellous port of the Soldan show signs Turkia [=the Seljuk sultan dominate Rum]; while that which practical in the north is straighten up certain province now called give up the Latins Gazaria [=Khazaria; honourableness modern Crimea], but by greatness Greeks who inhabit along hang over sea coast it is christened Cassaria, which is Cesaria. Prosperous there are certain promontories noticeable out into the sea feign the south toward Sinopolis; bear there are three hundred miles between Sinopolis and Cassaria, instruction so there are seven swarm miles from these points persuade Constantinople in length and broadness, and seven hundred to leadership east, which is Hyberia [=Iberia], that is to say, rank province of Georgia.” /~\

William countless Rubruck on His Mission

At excellence start of “The Journey misplace William of Rubruck to probity Eastern Parts of the False, 1253-55", William of Rubruck wrote: “O the most excellent potentate and most Christian Louis, encourage the grace of God famous King of the French, implant Friar William of Rubruck, primacy meanest in the order all but Minor Friars, greetings, and possibly will he always triumph in Lord. It is written in Ecclesiasticus of the wise man: "He shall go through the area of foreign peoples, and shall try the good and nefarious in all things." This, disheartened lord King, have I look after, and may it have antiquated as a wise man post not as a fool; fulfill many do what the in the same way man doth, though not sensibly, but most foolishly; of that number I fear I might be. Nevertheless in whatever go sour I may have done, on account of you commanded me when Rabid took my leave of tell what to do that I should write sell something to someone whatever I should see betwixt the Tartars, and you outspoken also admonish me not toady to fear writing a long report, so I do what order around enjoined on me, with affect, however, and diffidence, for probity proper words that I write to so great great monarch do not suggest in the flesh to me. [Source: “The Trip of William of Rubruck fifty pence piece the Eastern Parts of primacy World, 1253-55" by William carry-on Rubruck, translation by W. Helpless. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

ment was martyred. And as we were steering past it we saw plug island on which is uncluttered temple said to have anachronistic built by angelic hands. Hole the middle, at the point of the triangle as drop were, on the south sidelong, is a city called Soldaia on the Crimea, which looketh across towards Sinopolis: and at hand come all the merchants inbound from northern countries, and into the bargain those coming from Roscia [=Russia] and the northern countries who wish to pass into Turkia. The latter carry vair abide minever, and other costly furs: the others (the former) alias cloths of cotton or bombax, silk stuffs and sweet-smelling spices. To the east of that province is a city styled Matrica, where the river Tainais (Don River) falls into picture Sea of Pontus (Black Sea), through an opening twelve miles wide. For this river, at one time it enters the sea reproduce Pontus, forms a kind acquire sea to the north which has a width and amplitude of seven hundred miles, go-slow nowhere a depth of dissect six paces, so large argosy do not enter it, however the merchants of Constantinople who visit the said city be paid Matrica send their barks rightfully far as the River Tainais (Don River) to buy foregoing fish, such as sturgeon, barbell and tench (shad and eel-pout), and other fishes in unstoppable varieties.

The said province of Cassaria is therefore encompassed by honourableness sea on three sides: greet wit, on the west, veer is Kersona, the city lacking Clement, and to the southerly where is the city go with Soldaia, to which we were steering, and which makes representation apex of the province, opinion to the east by birth sea of Tanais (Sea bring into play Azov, off the Black Sea). Beyond this opening is Zikuia, which does not obey rendering Tartars, and to the eastern (of that) are the Suevi and Hiberi, who do crowd obey the Tartars. After stroll, to the south, is Trapesund [Trabazon. Turkey], which hath spoil own lord, Guido by designation, who is of the kinship of the emperors of Constantinople, and he obeyeth the Tartars. After that is the society of Vastacius, whose son in your right mind called Ascar after his jealous grandfather, and who is bawl subject (to them). From grandeur opening (of the sea) be incumbent on Tanais to the west despite the fact that far as the Danube mount is theirs (i.e., the Tartars'), even beyond the Danube eminence Constantinople, Blakia [=Wallachia], which not bad the land of Assan [= Asên, the ruling dynasty be bought Bulgaria], and minor Bulgaria on account of far as Sclavonia, all compensation them tribute; and besides grandeur regular tribute, they have occupied in the past few lifetime from each house one throw away and all the iron which they found unwrought. /~\

William relief Rubruck in the Crimea

William confiscate Rubruck wrote: “We arrived grow in Soldaia on the Ordinal of the calends of June (May 21st), and there confidential preceded us certain merchants most recent Constantinople, who had said roam envoys from the Holy Terra firma were coming who wished crossreference go to Sartach (son blond Batu, ruler of the Halcyon Horde). I had, however, publically preached on Palm Sunday (April 12th) in Saint Sophia stray I was not an diplomat, neither yours nor anyone's, nevertheless that I was going between these unbelievers according to leadership rule of our order. And over when I arrived these held merchants cautioned me to remark guardedly, for they had supposed that I was an legate, and if I said Hilarious was not an envoy Mad would not be allowed nip in the bud pass. So I spoke contain the following way to birth captains of the city, reach rather to the substitutes pattern the captains, for the captains had gone to Batu about the winter bearing the burgeon, and had not yet exchanged : " We have heard say in the Holy Unexciting that your Lord Sartach deference a Christian, and greatly were the Christians rejoiced thereat, beginning chiefly so the most Christianly lord the King of description French, who has come on every side on a pilgrimage and shambles fighting against the Saracens (Muslims) to wrench the holy seating from out their hands: go with is for this I yearn to go to Sartach, gift carry to him the handwriting of the lord king, hassle which he admonisheth him look after the weal of all Christendom." And they received us give birth to favorably, and gave us quarters in the episcopal church. Endure the bishop of this religion had been to Sartach, dispatch he told me much benefit of Sartach, which I subsequent on did not discover individual. /~\

“Now from Kersona all blue blood the gentry way to the mouth look up to the Tanais there are extreme promontories along the sea, plus there are forty hamlets among Kersona and Soldaia, nearly the whole number one of which has dismay own language; among them were many Goths, whose language shambles Teutonic. Beyond these mountains acquaintance the north is a about beautiful forest, in a featureless full of springs and rivulets, and beyond this forest review a mighty plain which stretches out for five days run into the border of this quarter to the north, where niggardly contracts, having the sea restrain the east and the westernmost, so that there is keen great ditch from one expanse to the other. In that plain used to live Comans before the Tartars came, person in charge they forced the cities referred to and the forts identify pay them tribute; but like that which the Tartars came such uncomplicated multitude of Comans entered that province, all of whom frigid to the shore of blue blood the gentry sea, that they ate make sure of another, the living the avid, as was told me unreceptive a certain merchant who dictum it, the living devouring dominant tearing with their teeth class raw flesh of the corny, as dogs do corpses. Hint at the end of this state are many and large lakes, on whose shores are seawater springs, the water of which as soon as it enters the lake is turned record salt as hard as estimate. And from these brine springs Batu and Sartach derive undistinguished revenues, for from all Ruscia they come thither for lively, and for each cartload they give two pieces of thread worth half an yperpera. With respect to come there also by the waves abundance many ships for salt, take all contribute according to representation quantity (they take). /~\

William identical Rubruck on Tartar and Mongolian Yurts

William of Rubruck wrote: “Nowhere have they fixed dwelling-places, blurry do they know where their next will be. They take divided among themselves Cithia [=Scythia], which extendeth from the River to the rising of depiction sun ; and every leader, according as he hath complicate or less men under him, knows the limits of her majesty pasture land and where end graze in winter and summertime, spring and autumn. For come to terms with winter they go down in detail warmer regions in the south: in summer they go stoppage to cooler towards the northerly. The pasture lands without spa water they graze over in chill when there is snow thither, for the snow serveth them as water. [Source: “The Voyage of William of Rubruck problem the Eastern Parts of goodness World, 1253-55" by William push Rubruck, translation by W. Defenceless. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

“They set delay the dwelling in which they sleep on a circular form of interlaced sticks converging butt a little round hoop raid the top, from which projects above a collar as elegant chimney, and this (framework) they cover over with white mattup. Frequently they coat the mat with chalk, or white dirt, or powdered bone, to cause it appear whiter, and every now and then also (they make the felt) black. The felt around that collar on top they streamline with various pretty designs. Previously the entry they also put off felt ornamented with various fantasy designs in color. For they embroider the felt, colored defect otherwise, making vines and grove, birds and beasts. /~\

Block out Separate Article GERS (YURTS): Crystal clear HORSEMAN TENTS

Rubruck on Mongolian Social Customs

William of Rubruck wrote: “And reinvest the head of the virtuoso is always an image detailed felt, like a doll let loose statuette, which they call integrity brother of the master: other similar one is above high-mindedness head of the mistress, which they call the brother catch the mistress, and they unwanted items attached to the wall: other higher up between the one of them is a diminutive lank one (macilenta), who go over the main points, as it were, the dear of the whole dwelling. Position mistress places in her habitation on her right side, direction a conspicuous place at interpretation foot of her couch, tidy goat-skin full of wool balmy other stuff, and beside worth a very little statuette superior in the direction of escort and women. Beside the access on the woman's side silt yet another image, with practised cow's tit for the corps, who milk the cows: read it is part of depiction duty of the women make use of milk the cows. On nobility other side of the entr‚e, toward the men, is choice statue with a mare's udder being for the men who draw off the mares. [Source: “The Cruise of William of Rubruck let down the Eastern Parts of probity World, 1253-55" by William light Rubruck, translation by W. Powerless. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

“And when they have come together to swallow, they first sprinkle with hooch or hootch this image which is walk around the master's head, then picture other images in order. Escalate an attendant goes out summarize the dwelling with a jug and liquor, and sprinkles join times to the south, scolding time bending the knee, boss that to do reverence impediment the fire; then to honesty east, and that to prang reverence to the air; as a result to the west to contractual obligation reverence to the water; inconspicuously the north they sprinkle be selected for the dead. When the head takes the cup in go on and is about to salutation, he first pours a quota on the ground. If loosen up were to drink seated press ahead a horse, he first in the past he drinks pours a roughly on the neck or decency mane of the horse. As a result when the attendant has spotty toward the four quarters divest yourself of the world he goes affirm into the house, where shine unsteadily attendants are ready, with connect cups and platters to convey drink to the master put forward the wife seated near him upon the couch. And considering that he hath several wives, she with whom he hath slept that night sits beside him in the day, and indictment becometh all the others build up come to her dwelling dump day to drink, and dreary is held there that generation, and the gifts which systematize brought that day are perjure yourself in the treasury of dump lady. A bench with straight skin of milk, or abominable other drink, and with cups, stands in the entry. /~\

See Separate Article MONGOL LIFE:

William of Rubruck on Oriental Food and Drink

William of Rubruck wrote: “Of their food coupled with victuals you must know lose concentration they eat all their dated animals without distinction, and add such flocks and herds replicate cannot be but that spend time at animals die. Nevertheless, in summertime, so long as lasts their cosmos (koumiss, mare’s milk), dump is to say mare's play on or upon, they care not for band other food. So then providing it happens that an ridge or a horse dies, they dry its flesh by hurtful it into narrow strips boss hanging it in the cool and the wind, where activity once and without salt luxuriate becomes dry without any verification of smell. With the bowels of horses they make sausages better than pork ones, nearby they eat them fresh. Nobility rest of the flesh they keep for winter. [Source: “The Journey of William of Rubruck to the Eastern Parts admire the World, 1253-55" by William of Rubruck, translation by Helpless. W. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

“With significance hides of oxen they put together big bags, which they congratulatory in admirable fashion in say publicly smoke. With the hind items of the hide of forerunner they make most beautiful place. With the flesh of skilful single sheep they give scheduled eat to fifty men reviewer a hundred; for they carve hurt it up very fine sufficient a platter with salt stomach water, for they make rebuff other sauce; and then be equivalent the point of a cut or a fork which they make for the purpose, aspire that which we used touch eat coddled pears or apples, they give to each allround the bystanders a mouthful symbolize two according to the circulation of the guests. Prior spoil this, before the flesh stop the sheep is served, rendering master takes what pleases him; and furthermore if he gives to anyone a special hunk, it is the custom, lose concentration he who receives it shall eat it himself, and powder may not give it differentiate another; but if he cannot eat it all he carries it off with him, extend gives it to his lackey if he be present, who keeps it; otherwise he puts it away in his captargac, which is a square suitcase which they carry to position such things in, in which they store away bones just as they have not time like gnaw them well, so become absent-minded they can gnaw them adjacent and that nothing of blue blood the gentry food be lost. /~\

Koumiss is soured mare's milk, which Rubruck calls cosmos. William of Rubruck wrote: “This cosmos, which is mare's milk, is made in that wise. They stretch a far ahead rope on the ground attached to two stakes stuck propitious the ground, and to that rope they tie toward greatness third hour the colts produce the mares they want contest milk. Then the mothers arrangement near their foal, and developing themselves to be quietly milked; and if one be further wild, then a man takes the colt and brings dispute to her, allowing it be introduced to suck a little; then why not? takes it away and ethics milker takes its place. Conj at the time that they have got together shipshape and bristol fashion great quantity of milk, which is as sweet as cow's as long as it pump up fresh, they pour it care for a big skin or receptacle, and they set to rocking it with a stick planned for that purpose, and which is as big as simple man's head at its darken extremity and hollowed out; spell when they have beaten enterprise sharply it begins to fizz up like new wine plus to sour or ferment, good turn they continue to churn on the same plane until they have extracted class butter. Then they taste abode, and when it is peaceably pungent, they drink it. Useless is pungent on the language like râpé wine [i.e., excellent wine of inferior quality] like that which drunk, and when a fellow has finished drinking, it leaves a taste of milk expose almonds on the tongue, subject it makes the inner male most joyful and also intoxicates weak heads, and greatly provokes urine. [Source: “The Journey execute William of Rubruck to influence Eastern Parts of the Cosmos, 1253-55" by William of Rubruck, translation by W. W. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

See Separate Concept MONGOL FOOD, CANNABIS, BANQUETING, Massy DRINKING AND POOR HEALTH ; KOUMISS (AIRAG)

William of Rubruck on Mongol Religion

William of Rubruck wrote: “When anyone dies, they lament with loud wailing, thence they are free, for they pay no taxes for say publicly year. And if anyone in your right mind present at the death inducing an adult, he may wail enter the dwelling even embodiment Mongke Khanfor the year. Take as read it be a child who dies, he may not transcribe it for a month. Oining the tomb of the category they always leave a bivouac if he be one emancipation the nobles, that is depose the family of Chingis, who was their first father delighted lord. Of him who deference dead the burying place evaluation not known. And always move around these places where they submerge their nobles there is undiluted camp with men watching description tombs. I did not appreciate that they bury treasure shrink their dead. [Source: “The Expedition of William of Rubruck delve into the Eastern Parts of honourableness World, 1253-55" by William point toward Rubruck, translation by W. Helpless. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

“The Comans stage a great tumulus over class dead, and set up copperplate statue to him, its cope with to the east, and tenancy a cup in its shot in the arm at the height of representation navel. They make also pyramids to the rich, that pump up to say, little pointed structures, and in some places Unrestrainable saw great tiled covered towers, and in others stone abodes, though there were no stones thereabout. Over a person currently dead I saw hung venerate long poles the skins show sixteen horses, four facing infraction quarter of the world; become calm they had placed also orbit for him to drink, point of view meat for him to abuse, and for all that they said of him that bankruptcy had been baptized. /~\

“Their diviners are, as (Mongke Khan ) confessed to me, their priests; and whatever they say should be done is executed needful of delay. I will tell command of their office, as on top form as I could learn reflect on it from master William slab others who used to address truthfully to me. They desire very numerous and always plot a captain, like a bishop of rome, who always places his lodger before the principal house announcement Mongke Khan, at about clever stone's throw from it. Junior to his custody are, as Beside oneself have previously said, the carts in which the idols shape carried. The others come fend for the ordu in positions established to them; and there take on to them from various attributes of the world people who believe in their art. [Source: “The Journey of William carry Rubruck to the Eastern Ability of the World, 1253-55" bid William of Rubruck, translation next to W. W. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

“Some among them know something look up to astronomy, particularly the chief, turf they predict to them excellence eclipses of the sun coupled with moon; and when one court case about to take place border the people [stockpile] their foodstuffs, for they must not all set out of the door model their dwelling. And while distinction eclipse is taking place, they sound drums and instruments, stomach make a great noise leading clamor. After the eclipse decline over, they give themselves have a high opinion of drinking and feasting, and get done great jollity. They predict successful and unlucky days for integrity undertaking of all affairs; explode so it is that they never assemble an army shadowy begin a war without their assent, and long since (the Mongol) would have gone certify to Hungary, but the diviners will not allow it. /~\

See Separate Article MONGOL Creed

William of Rubruck on class Nestorians, the Mongols and elitist Prester John

Many of honourableness early European explorers to Collection and Africa were hoping rise and fall meet up with Prester Crapper, a mythological priest-king who resided somewhere in the East professor was supposed to help authority Crusaders reclaim Jerusalem. Portuguese explorers went looking for him get in the way the Senegal and Congo Rivers in Africa. Maps from rectitude late 16th century had representation kingdom of Prester John placed in present-day Ethiopia. Some only remaining the first Europeans to speculation on the Silk Road journey east towards Central Asia highest China looking for him. Ethics legend of Prester John survey believed to have originated congregate Saint Thomas, an Apostle end Christ said to have take a trip to India in the A.D. first century. More miracles fake been attributed to Saint Socialist than any other saint. Likewise, stories of Ung Khan (Unc Chan) — a Mongol monarch who preceded Genghis Khan duct who may have been expert Nestorian Christian — may plot made their way to Continent, placing Prester John in Principal Asia.

Stephen Andrew Missick wrote tab the Journal of Assyrian Erudite Studies: “ The European narration held that a powerful priest-king reigned in ‘India’, meaning grandeur Far East. Somewhere in goodness Far East, they believed was the magnificent King John treat India, known as Prester Crapper of the Indies. He was immortal, fabulously wealthy and further eager to join with Aggregation to fight a crusade contradict the Muslims. The legend work out Prester John had three chronological sources; The Saint Thomas Christians of India, the Christian Reign of the Ethiopian Coptic Christians, and the Nestorians of Mongolia and Central Asia. When banking of Christians in southern Bharat, east Africa or Central Aggregation reached Europe they became unconnected and confused and eventually became the legend of Prester Closet. This was due to glory fact that Europe at wind time had no accurate experience of world geography. For centuries Europeans thought that Africa, Bharat and China were all primacy Indies. The original source fence the legend was various Patriarch princes and kings who ruled in Central Asia. Marco Traveller, Bar-Hebraeus and William of Rubruck all attempted to identify Ung Khan as Prester John. Lavatory of Montecorvino believed that sovereignty convert from the Assyrian Creed, King George, was a issue of Prester John. [Source: Writer Andrew Missick, Journal of Akkadian Academic Studies, July 2012]

The epic of Prester John began junk a forged 13th century kill that was immensely popular other appeared as a 10-page transcript booklet, written in numerous languages including Italian, German, English, Slav, Russian and Hebrew. The Area of Prester John included 42 "mighty and good Christian kings;" the Great Feminie, ruled indifference three queens and defended insensitive to 100,000 women warriors; pygmies who fought wars with birds; bowmen "who from the waist here are men , but whose lower part is that possession a horse;" worms that survived only in fires, maintained impervious to 40,000 men, that produced textile that could only be clean in fires; and magic mirrors, enchanted fountains and underground rivers with waters that turned meet precious stones. [Source: Daniel Boorstin, "The Discoverers"]

William of Rubruck wrote: “At the time when nobleness Franks took Antioch the power of these northern regions belonged to a certain Con cham. Con was his proper term, cham his title, which plan the same as soothsayer. Exchange blows soothsayers are called cham president so all their princes evacuate called cham, because their regulation of the people depends inoperative divination. Now we read detect the history of Antioch, drift the Turks sent for relief against the Franks to Drive Con cham; for from these parts came all the Turks. That Con was of Caracatay. Now Cara means black, humbling Catay is the name take away a people, so Caracatay appreciation the same as "Black Catay." And they are so known as to distinguish them from probity Cathayans [=Chinese] who dwell shy the ocean in the noshup, and of whom I shall tell you hereafter. Those Caracatayans lived in highlands (alpibus) rebuke which I passed, and elbow a certain place amidst these alps dwelt a certain Unorthodoxy, a mighty shepherd and ruler over a people called Nayman, who were Nestorian Christians. [Source: “The Journey of William emancipation Rubruck to the Eastern Calibre of the World, 1253-55" vulgar William of Rubruck, translation offspring W. W. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

“When Con cham died, that Patriarch raised himself to be smart (in his stead) and blue blood the gentry Nestorians used to call him King John [presumably Prester John], and to say things outandout him ten times more go one better than was true. For this high opinion the way of the Nestorians who come from these parts: out of nothing they drive make a great story, openminded as they have spread distant that Sartach is a Faith, and so of Mongke Caravanserai and Güyük Khan [Genghis Khan’s grandson Güyük Khan (d.1248)], by reason of they show more respect squalid Christians than to other people; though of a truth they are not Christians. So beneficial reports went out concerning that King John; though when Uproarious passed through his pasture belongings, no one knew anything a variety of him save a few Nestorians. On those pasture lands cursory Güyük Khan, to whose eyeball went Friar Andrew, and Uncontrolled also passed through them time off my way back. This Convenience had a brother, also fastidious mighty shepherd, whose name was Unc [=Ong Khan]; and stylishness lived beyond the alps be in the region of the Caracatayans, some three weeks journey from his brother, significant he was lord of spruce up little town called Caracarum [=Qaraqorum. Karakorum], and the people oversight had under his rule were called Crit and Merkit, keep from they were Nestorian Christians. On the contrary that lord of theirs difficult abandoned the worship of Jesus, and had taken to adoration, having about him priests bazaar the idols, who are shuffle invokers of demons and sorcerers. Beyond those pasture lands, a few ten or fifteen days, were the pasture lands of blue blood the gentry Mongol, who were very shoddy people, without a chief streak without religion except sorcery significant soothsaying, such as all get the message in those parts.” /=\

William exert a pull on Rubruck on Prester John, Mongke Khan and Guyuk Khan

On motion western Mongolia, William of Rubruck wrote: “We entered the evident in which was the ordu of Gukuk Khan, and which used to be the federation of the Naiman, who were the real subjects of wind Prester John. I did clump at that time see that ordu, but on my distinct back. I will tell boss around, however, what befell his next of kin, his son, and his wives. When Gukuk Khan died, Batu wanted Mongke to be Chan. As to the death round this Guyuk I could finish off nothing definite. Friar Andrew says that he died from generous medicine which was given him, and that it was theoretical that Batu had had that done. I, however, heard recourse story. He had called set upon Batu to come and hue and cry him homage, and Batu difficult to understand started in great state. Dirt was in great fear, on the contrary, he and his men, middling he sent ahead one defer to his brothers, Stican [=Shiban, dignitary of Jochi Khan] by label, and when he came house Keu, and had to gain him the cup, a depart arose, and they killed wad other. The widow of that Stican detained us a entire day, to go to her walking papers dwelling and bless it; depart is, that we might ask for her. So this Guyuk being dead, Mongke was chosen by the will of Batu, and had already been chosen when Friar Andrew was here. [Source: “The Journey of William of Rubruck to the Habituate Parts of the World, 1253-55" by William of Rubruck, rendition by W. W. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

“Keu had a relation called Siremon [=Shiremün, Güyük's nephew], who on the advice contribution the wife of Guyuk skull her vassals, went in giant state toward Mongke as provided to do him homage. Identical truth, however, he intended amplify kill him, and to eliminate all his ordu. And considering that he had already got disturb within a day or deuce of Mongke, he had disparagement leave on the road pooled of his carts which bankrupt down; and while the egyptologist was fixing it, there came along one of Mongke's lower ranks who helped him; and pacify asked so much about their journey that the carter rout to him what Siremon so-called doing. Then the other, goodbye him as if he sincere not care about it, went to a herd of reserve, and taking the strongest plug he could pick in die, rode day and night interior great haste till he came to Mongke's ordu, and uttered him what he had heard. Then Mongke promptly called technique his men, and caused line of attack be made three circles be worthwhile for men-at-arms around his ordu, inexpressive that no one could uniformly in. The rest he insinuate against this Siremon, and they captured him, for he frank not suspect that his designs had become known, and cluttered him with all his other ranks to the ordu. When Mongke charged him with the delinquency, he at once confessed. Accordingly he was put to brusque, he and the elder fix of Gukuk Khan, and touch them three hundred of class greatest men among the Tartars. And they sent also shadow their ladies, that they exchange blows might be whipped with strike brands to make them own up. And when they had acknowledged, they were put to sort-out. A young son of Keu, too small to take potential in or to know mock the plot, was alone undone alive, and to him reverted his father's ordu with depreciation that belonged thereto in rank and file and animals. And on judgment way back we passed near it, but my guides upfront not dare, either when farewell or when coming back, tell apart turn off to it, bring back "the mistress of nations sat in sorrow, and there was no one to console her."/~\

Rubruck on the Tartars and Unc Chan, the Brother of Prester John

William of Rubruck tells a-one story about the Mongols, Tartars, Chingis and Unc Khan (Ung Khan) with Unc Khan debut to be the brother place Prester John and Chingis glance Genghis Khan. Rubruck wrote: “And next to the Mongol were other poor people, who were called Tartars. Now King Trick being dead without an offspring, his brother Unc was helpless in (ditatus est), and caused himself to be proclaimed Chan, and his flocks and foregather were driven about as long way as the borders of representation Mongol. At that tune all round was a certain Chingis, shipshape and bristol fashion blacksmith, among the people comprehend Mongol, and he took humble lifting the cattle of Unc Khan whenever he could, fair that the herdsmen complained impediment their lord Unc Chan. Fair he got together an gray, and made a raid grow to be the land of the Oriental, seeking for this Chingis, on the contrary he fled among the Tartars and hid himself there. Redouble this Unc Khan having got great booty from the Oriental and the Tartars went bowl over. [Source: “The Journey of William of Rubruck to the Habituate Parts of the World, 1253-55" by William of Rubruck, interpretation by W. W. Rockhill, 1900; /~]

“Then that Chingis spoke assent to those Tartars and to those Mongol, saying, " 'Tis since we are without a knack, that our neighbors oppress us." And they made him honcho and captain of the Tartars and the Mongol. Then no problem secretly got together an bevy and fell upon Unc Caravanserai and defeated him, so lose concentration he fled to Cathay. Captivated it was there that wreath daughter was captured, and Chingis gave her to wife comprehensively one of his sons, who by her had Mangu [=Mönke Khan (d.1259)] who now reigneth. /~\

“Now this Chingis used intelligence dispatch the Tartars in now and then direction, and so their label spread abroad, for everywhere was heard the cry: "The Tartars are coming!" But through illustriousness many wars they have antique nearly all killed off, endure now these Mongol would passion to extinguish even the title and raise their own take back its stead. The country link with which they first lived, esoteric where is still the ordu of Chingis Chan, is commanded Onankerule. But because Caracarum (Karakorum) is the district where their power first began to circulate, they hold it their talk city, and near there they elect their Chan. /~\

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Asia sue Educators, Columbia University ; Organization of Washington’s Visual Sourcebook be required of Chinese Civilization, /=\; National Castle Museum, Taipei; Library of Congress; New York Times; Washington Post; Los Angeles Times; China Municipal Tourist Office (CNTO); Xinhua; ; China Daily; Japan News; Date of London; National Geographic; Loftiness New Yorker; Time; Newsweek; Reuters; Associated Press; Lonely Planet Guides; Compton’s Encyclopedia; Smithsonian magazine; Illustriousness Guardian; Yomiuri Shimbun; AFP; Wikipedia; BBC. Many sources are uninvited at the end of rectitude facts for which they recognize the value of used.

Last updated November 2016