The Mongols and the West

The Mongols and the West provides a comprehensive survey of contacts between the Catholic West and the Mongol Empire from 1221 to 1410. This book considers the Mongols as allies as well as conquerors; the perception of them in the West; the papal response to the threat (and opportunity) they presented and the impact of the Mongols on the expanding world view of the maturing Middle Ages. This new edition contains the latest research on the 'steppe background', discussing the character of Mongol governance including keshig (the imperial guard) and the yasa (Mongol law). Now with illustrations and additional maps, this book is ideal for students of medieval European history and the crusades.

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The Mongols and the West provides a comprehensive survey of relations between the Catholic West and the Mongol Empire from the first appearance of Chinggis (Genghis) Khan's armies on Europe's horizons in 1221 to the battle of Tannenberg in 1410. This book has been designed to provide a synthesis of previous scholarship on relations between the Mongols and the Catholic world as well as to offer new approaches and conclusions on the subject. It considers the tension between Western hopes of the Mongols as allies against growing Muslim powers and the Mongols' position as conquerors with their own agenda, and evaluates the impact of Mongol-Western contacts on the West's expanding knowledge of the world.

This second edition takes into account the wealth of scholarly literature that has emerged in the years since the previous edition and contains significantly extended chapters on trade and mission. It charts the course of military confrontation and diplomatic relations between the Mongols and the West, and re-examines the commercial opportunities offered to Western merchants by Mongol rule and the failure of Catholic missionaries to convert the Mongols to Christianity.

Fully revised and containing a range of maps, genealogical tables and both European and non-European sources throughout, The Mongols and the West is ideal for students of medieval European history and the crusades.

Contenu

Introduction

Chapter 1: Latin Christendom and its neighbours in the early thirteenth century

Chapter 2: A world-empire in the making

Chapter 3: The Mongol invasions of 1241-4

Chapter 4: A remedy against the Tartars

Chapter 5: The halting of the Mongol advance

Chapter 6: Images of the enemy

Chapter 7: From confrontation to coexistence: the Golden Horde

Chapter 8: An ally against Islam? The Mongols in the Near East

Chapter 9: Temür (Tamerlane) and Latin Christendom

Chapter 10: Western traders and adventurers in the Mongol world

Chapter 11: Mission to the infidel; Epilogue

Chapter 12: A new world discovered?

Conclusion

Appendix I: Glossary

Appendix II: Genealogical tables and lists of rulers

Bibliography

Index