Multi-talented monk Andrew of Longjumeau embarked on a daring journey to the heart of the Mongol Empire on 16th February, 1249. As Ambassador of Louis IX, he led a delegation destined for the court of the Mongol Khan Güyük - who had, awkwardly, died before he got there.
Although not the first European envoy to the East, Andrew's mission was part of a broader effort to navigate alliances amidst the Crusades. Undeterred, his later adventures in Constantinople included the retrieval of the relic believed to be Christ’s Crown of Thorns.
In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly pause to admire the succinct literary skills of the Regent Mother, Ogul-Gaimish Khan; explain why Andrew had little choice but to put a positive spin on his unwelcome discoveries; and discover why Louis’s mates David and Mark have a LOT to answer for…
#Medieval #Christian #Explorer
Further Reading:
• ‘The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries - by Harry W. Hazard, Kenneth Meyer Setton (University of Wisconsin Press, 1975): https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Fourteenth_and_Fifteenth_Centuries.html?id=J6v9jhUd-r8C
• ‘Andrew Of Lonjumel | Diplomatic Negotiator, Treaty Maker & Statesman’ (Britannica): https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andrew-of-Lonjumel
• ‘The rise and fall of the Mongol Empire - Anne F. Broadbridge’ (TedEx, 2019): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUVvTqvjUaM
We'll be back on Monday - unless you join 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴, where we give you ad-free listening AND a full-length Sunday episode every week!
Plus, weekly bonus content, unlock over 70 bonus bits, and support our independent podcast.
Join now via Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks!
The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.
Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.
Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2023.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Man Who Sold The Wind
Soundtracking the Royal Wedding
I've Struck Gold!
The Elephants of War
Bjorn Borg's Retirement Bombshell
I Impregnated Lucy
Arriving At Botany Bay
Ireland's First Divorce
Shooting 'Dr. No'
Wikipedia: Hello World
Motown Begins
England's First Lottery
Opening Up University
Let's Bury Nelson
Can You Smell Eggs?
Meet Jekyll and Hyde
Dawn of the Hit Parade
The Siege of Sidney Street
Ronald Reagan: Hollywood's Governor
Inside Barnum's Museum
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
History Daily
Dark Histories
The Best Song Podcast
Irish Songs with Ken Murray
The Rest Is History