An Analysis Of William Of Rubruck's 'William And The Khans'
History 2B
January 31, 2013
William and the Khans
William of Rubruck composed a sequential and descriptive analysis of his experiences during his journey to the Mongolian empire in 1253 CE. His conquest took place primarily to affirm that Sartach Khan and the other Mongol Khans were Christian. Throughout his recordings he is repeatedly overwhelmed by the religious, cultural, linguistic, and political differences between the Mongolian Empire, and Western Europe. As a Franciscan friar, his humble circumstances pose a challenge as he proves to be unprepared in his encounters with Captains and the Khans. With little gifts to bear, William is advised by the merchants of Constantinople that the captains and the Mongol Khans must be greeted with gifts, otherwise he will not be looked upon properly (William, p. 49). William embarked on this mission to deliver a letter on behalf of King Louis IX to Sartach, …show more content…
However, in his encounters with Sartach, Baatu, and Mangu Khan the purpose of his visit is misunderstood by a linguistic misinterpretation. Despite his failure to convert many people to Christianity, his letter is significant in presenting some of the educational and religious movements occurring within Europe, and the relations that were emerging through commerce in the thirteenth century. Europe’s growing emphasis on education would broaden the horizons of Christianity, and commerce created interconnectedness among cultures regardless of religious differences. Western Europe developed a growing desire for advancements in education during the twelfth century. Places such as Toledo, Spain was “renowned as a center of learning where Muslims, Jews, and Christians freely intermingled” (Smith, Crossroads p. 414). After the Latin translations of Aristotle’s works began to enhance the method of thought towards the natural world,
January 31, 2013
William and the Khans
William of Rubruck composed a sequential and descriptive analysis of his experiences during his journey to the Mongolian empire in 1253 CE. His conquest took place primarily to affirm that Sartach Khan and the other Mongol Khans were Christian. Throughout his recordings he is repeatedly overwhelmed by the religious, cultural, linguistic, and political differences between the Mongolian Empire, and Western Europe. As a Franciscan friar, his humble circumstances pose a challenge as he proves to be unprepared in his encounters with Captains and the Khans. With little gifts to bear, William is advised by the merchants of Constantinople that the captains and the Mongol Khans must be greeted with gifts, otherwise he will not be looked upon properly (William, p. 49). William embarked on this mission to deliver a letter on behalf of King Louis IX to Sartach, …show more content…
However, in his encounters with Sartach, Baatu, and Mangu Khan the purpose of his visit is misunderstood by a linguistic misinterpretation. Despite his failure to convert many people to Christianity, his letter is significant in presenting some of the educational and religious movements occurring within Europe, and the relations that were emerging through commerce in the thirteenth century. Europe’s growing emphasis on education would broaden the horizons of Christianity, and commerce created interconnectedness among cultures regardless of religious differences. Western Europe developed a growing desire for advancements in education during the twelfth century. Places such as Toledo, Spain was “renowned as a center of learning where Muslims, Jews, and Christians freely intermingled” (Smith, Crossroads p. 414). After the Latin translations of Aristotle’s works began to enhance the method of thought towards the natural world,