Deus Lo Volt!

it. They were told that once the Tartars lived on an immense sandy plain where nothing would grow, at the end of which stood huge and terrible rocks marking the edge of the world. Among these rocks lived the satanic nations of Gog and Magog, destined to march forth when Antichrist makes his evil presence felt. And since nothing would grow on this desolate plain the Tartars paid tribute for pasturage to Prester John, or as some called him Presbyter John, who lived very far to the east and was reputed to be Nestorian Christian. Some thought Prester John descended from the Magi because he ruled as they did and carried an emerald scepter. In such contempt did he hold Tartars that when they arrived with tribute he would not look at them. He turned his back. So finally the Tartars understood that if they wished to escape from bondage they must stop quarreling among themselves, which they did, enabling them to defeat the vast armies of Prester John and everyone else. It may be that Prester John fled to Egypt, mayhap Nubia, where he now lives and is at least two centuries old.

The friars told us that people in distant lands to the east are so frightened that they behave like oxen when Tartars ride into their villages and make no effort to defend themselves. A single horseman may capture an entire village. On one occasion a Tartar met seventeen Arabs, whereupon he demanded that they rope themselves together and follow him. They had begun to obey when all unexpected one lifted his head as though perceiving the light of the world and slew the Tartar. What should Christians make of this? Do we not see how pagans arrogate to themselves unwarranted jurisdiction over others? We thank Almighty God who is our bulwark against oppression.

We learned that Tartars do not eat bread but content themselves with meat and mare’s milk spiced with herbs. Horseflesh is what they like best. They steep it in brine and leave it to dry until it may be cut like bread, but they will eat the flesh of any creature. When riding off to war they put slices of flesh under the lappets of their clothing and sit on it until the blood is pressed out, after which they devour it like animals. Some they keep in a leather pouch, dip into this when they feel hungry and choose the oldest meat first. I, myself, while imprisoned in Egypt saw one of my guards do this. He was a Khorasmin from Persia and the stench from his leather pouch drew vultures out of the sky.

Many other strange things did the predicants tell us. They spoke of Greek Christians among the Tartars, but could not say how this came about. If the Tartars decide to make war on Saracens they despatch these Christians to fight. Or, if they decide to attack Christians, they enlist Saracens. We were told that women without children accompany the Tartar fighting men and are paid the same. They take meals together, but the men do not seek relations with them. As we listened to such remarkable accounts we did not know what to think.

The predicants delivered a letter from the Tartar chief to King Louis, stating that nothing gratified him more than peace. If there is peace there is tranquility, said this letter, whence come all blessings. Animals graze unmolested and men till the fields without apprehension. But now you must listen to us. You cannot enjoy peace until you render obeisance. Prester John foolishly challenged us, as did the shah of Persia and others too numerous to mention. If you would remain at peace you will send money to us every year. If you refuse, we will ride against you and without mercy put you to the sword.

The predicants told King Louis that the great khan summoned princes who had not yet vowed allegiance and displayed the chapel his majesty had sent from Cyprus, together with little carved figures representing Nativity, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and so forth. He told them the king of France had sued for mercy and sent this tribute. Therefore, the khan told these princes, unless you likewise submit I will order the king of France to come and destroy you. At his words many shook with fright and pledged themselves vassals.

As to his majesty’s thoughts upon hearing this, I do not know. He did not confide in me.

We stayed fourteen months at Caesarea. One day when I went to visit the king he brought up the fact that I had not agreed to remain past Easter and he asked how he might induce me to stay another year. I remembered quite well that he once called me difficult, so I said I would strike a bargain with him. If during that year I ask for something, I said, you will not become annoyed. For my part, if you fail to grant my request, I will not be annoyed with you. At this he began to laugh and told his counselors about the bargain we had made.

I had now been oversea with his majesty some four years and attempted to keep my life organized as best I could. I arranged my bed so that anyone entering the pavilion could see me, because I did not want anyone to suspect me of relations with women. I had two chaplains recite the Hours. At dawn one of them chanted mass. The other waited until all of my people were up. After hearing mass I would visit the king. If he wished to go out riding I accompanied him. Each year during the feast of Saint Remigius it was my habit to buy pigs and sheep and flour and wine and whatever else we might need to keep us through the winter because we could not depend upon vessels arriving. I would purchase one hundred barrels of wine and the best of it we drank first. Squires and servants