2620

February 7. Samarkand (Saurequant). Smbat, Constable of Armenia, informs Henry I, king of Cyprus, Emeline (Stephanie) Henry’s wife and Smbat’s sister, John of Ibelin, and Maria, John’s wife and Smbat’s sister, about his impressions from his journey through Mongol territory. He saw many cities ruined by the Mongols, as well as remains of people slain by them. The Mongols are very numerous. He refers to the death of the previous khan (Ögödei) five years earlier (actually in 1241) and because the Mongols were dispersed (in India, Cathay (Chata), Russia, Kāshghar (Chascat) and Tangut (Tanghat)) that have only just enthroned his successor (Güyüg). The Khan and his people have become Christian, and there is a strong belief in these regions in the three Magi. He saw many churches destroyed by the Turks, and speaks of a Christian king in the land of India, aided by the Mongols. He says that the pope had sent an envoy to the Khan to find out whether or not he was Christian, why he had sent his people to tread the world and why he had poor people killed. The Khan is said to have replied that God commanded his ancestors and him to send their people to kill bad people and that if the pope wanted to know whether or not he was Christian, he should come and see for himself.