People
Saracens
Better known as Muslims
Two travelers wrote about Saracens between 1245 and 1255. Here is what each of them saw, in the order they were there.
- 1245–1247
The Voyage of John of Plano Carpini
The medieval European term for Muslims. Carpini meets them as subject peoples and traders across the Mongol lands, and notes which conquered nations 'observe the law of Mahomet.'
…people called Solangi on the east; on the south the country of the Saracens; the land of the Huini on the south-east; on the west the province of Naimani, and the…Listen from here · chapter 4, 0:08…that we were ignorant of these languages, and though there were Saracens in our land, they inhabited at a great distance from our lord the Pope; and we proposed,…Listen from here · chapter 32, 1:12 - 1253–1255
The Journal of William of Rubruck
The medieval European term for Muslims (also rendered 'Mahometans'). Rubruck found them keeping the markets and trading quarters across the Mongol lands, from the Crimea to Karakorum.
…the Iron-gate, or Derbent, through which lies the passage of all the Saracens or Mahometans who come from Persia and Turkey, to pay their gifts and tributes to Baatu,…Listen from here · chapter 22, 0:49I am convinced that these Jugurs, who are mixed with Christians and Mahometans, have arrived at the knowledge and belief of one God, by frequent disputations with them.…Listen from here · chapter 30, 0:08
Hear every account in full
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