Celebrated Travels and Travellers Vol 1 First Part Chapter III part 2 - Celebrated travellers between the 10th and 13th centuries.

Jules Verne (0:00)

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Celebrated Travels and Travellers, Volume 1, Exploration of the World by Jules Verne. First part, Chapter 3, Part 2

Next, in order of succession, we come to the name of Jean Duplan de Carpin, or as some authors render it simply, Carpini. He was a Franciscan or gray friar, born in 1182 at Perugia in Italy.

It is well known what inroads the Mongolians had made under Genghis Khan, and in 1206 this chieftain had made Coro Corum, an ancient Turkish town, his capital. This town was a little north of China. His successor Ohadai extended the Mongolian dominion into the center of China, and after raising an army of 600,000 men he even invaded Europe. Russia, Georgia, Poland, Monrovia, Cilicia, and Hungary all became the scenes of sanguinary conflicts which almost always ended in favor of the invaders. The Mongols were looked upon as demons possessed with superhuman power, and Western Europe was terrified at their approach. Pope Innocent IV sent an ambassador to the Tartars, but he was treated with arrogance. At the same time, he sent other ambassadors to the Tartars living in Northeastern Tartary, in the hope of stopping the Mongolian invasion, and as a chief in this mission, the Franciscan Carpini was chosen, being known to be a clever and intelligent diplomatist. Carpini was accompanied by Stephen, a Bohemian. They set out on the 6th of April, 1245, and went first to Bohemia, where the king gave them letters to some relations living in Poland, whom he hoped might facilitate their entrance into Russia. Carpini had no difficulty in reaching the territory of the Archduke of Russia, and by his advice they brought reaver and other furries as presents for the Tartar chiefs. Thus provided, they took a northeasterly route to Kiev, then the chief town of Russia and now the seat of government of that part, but they traveled in fear of the Lithuanians, who scoured the country at that time.

The governor of Kiev advised the pope's envoys to exchange their own for Tartar horses, who were accustomed to seek for their food under the snow, and thus mounted they had no difficulty in getting as far as Donalisha. There, they both were attacked by severe illness. When nearly recovered, they bought a carriage, and in spite of the intense cold set out again. Arrived at Knyov, on the Dnieper, they found themselves in the frontier town of the Mongol Empire, and hence they were conducted to the Tartar camp by one of the chiefs, whom they had made their friend by gifts. In the camp they were badly received at first, but being directed to the duke of Karenseh, who commanded an army of 60,000 men forming the advanced guard. This general sent them with an escort of three Tartars to Prince Bathay, the next in command to the emperor himself. Relays of horses were prepared for them on the road. They traveled night and day, and thus passed through the Cormans' country, lying between the Dnieper, the Tannas, the Volga, and the Yek, frequently having to cross the frozen rivers, and finally reaching the court of Prince Bathay on the frontiers of the Cormans' country. As we were being conducted to the prince, says Carpini, we were told that we should have to pass between two fires, in order to purify us from any infection we might carry, and also to do away with any evil designs we might have towards the prince. Which we agreed to do, that we might be freed from all suspicion. The prince was seated on his throne in the midst of his courtiers and officers in a magnificent tent made of fine linen. He had the reputation of being a just and kind ruler of his people, but very cruel in war. Carpini and Stephen were placed on the left of the throne, and the papal letters, translated into a language composed of Tatar and Arabic, were presented to the prince. He read them attentively, and then dismissed the envoys to their tents, where their only refreshment was a little porridge made of millet. This interview took place on Good Friday, and the next day Bathys sent for the envoys, and told them they must go to the emperor. They set out on Easter day with two guides, but having lived upon nothing but millet, water and salt, the travellers were but little fit for a journey. Nevertheless their guides obligated them to travel very quickly, changing horses five or six times in a day. They passed through almost a desert country, the Tatars having driven away nearly all the inhabitants. They came next to the country of the Canaanites to the east of Colmania, where there was a great deficiency of water. In this province the people were mostly herdsmen, under the hard yoke of the Mongolians.