William of Rubruck

William of Rubruck was a 13th-century Flemish Franciscan friar and missionary who traveled to the Mongol Empire. His detailed account is a major source on Mongol society and politics.

Journey of William of Rubruck: A 1253–1255 mission from the eastern Mediterranean to the court of the Mongol ruler Möngke Khan. The journey produced the observations that made Rubruck’s account historically valuable.
Franciscans: A Catholic religious order founded by Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century. Rubruck’s identity as a Franciscan shaped his missionary purpose and account.
Louis IX of France: King of France from 1226 to 1270, known for crusading and religious patronage. Louis IX commissioned Rubruck’s mission to the Mongol court.
Itinerarium of William of Rubruck: Rubruck’s Latin report to Louis IX describing his journey to the Mongol Empire and observations there. This account is the principal record of Rubruck’s mission.
Möngke Khan: The fourth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, who ruled from 1251 to 1259. Rubruck met Möngke at his court and recorded their exchange.
Mongol Empire: The empire founded by Genghis Khan that became the largest contiguous land empire in history. Rubruck traveled through its territories and reported on its rulers and peoples.
Genghis Khan: The founder of the Mongol Empire, who ruled from 1206 until his death in 1227. Rubruck traveled within the empire established by Genghis Khan.
Medieval travel literature: Written accounts of journeys produced in Europe during the Middle Ages. Rubruck’s report belongs to a tradition that mixed travel observation with religious purpose.
Karakorum: A city in central Mongolia that served as the Mongol Empire’s capital in the 13th century. Rubruck described the imperial capital and its diverse communities.
Mongol Empire diplomacy: The practices by which Mongol rulers communicated with foreign states and received envoys. Rubruck’s mission entered a diplomatic system that also served religious and political aims.

Linked from 7 pages