André de Longjumeau facts for kids
André de Longjumeau (also known as Andrew of Longjumeau) was an important French traveler and diplomat in the 1200s. He was a Dominican friar, which means he was a member of a religious order. André was one of the most active European diplomats who traveled to the East during his time.
He led two important trips to the Mongols. On his first trip, he carried letters from Pope Innocent IV. On his second trip, he brought gifts and letters from King Louis IX of France to Güyük Khan, the Mongol leader. André knew the Middle-East well and could speak Arabic and "Chaldean" (which was likely Syriac or Persian).
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André's First Mission: The Crown of Thorns
André's first trip to the East was for King Louis IX of France. The King asked him to go to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). His mission was to get the Crown of Thorns.
The Latin Emperor Baldwin II had sold this important religious item to King Louis in 1238. Baldwin needed money and support for his empire. André was joined by another Dominican friar, Brother Jacques, on this journey.
Papal Mission to the Mongols (1245–1247)
In 1245, Pope Innocent IV sent André of Longjumeau on a mission to the Mongols. This was one of four missions the Pope sent. André left Lyon, France, in the spring of 1245 and headed towards the Levant (the eastern Mediterranean region).
He visited Muslim areas in Syria. He also met with leaders of the Nestorian and Jacobite Christian churches in Persia. Finally, he delivered the Pope's letters to a Mongol general near Tabriz. In Tabriz, André met a monk from the Far East named Simeon Rabban Ata. This monk had been put in charge by the Khan to protect Christians in the Middle-East.
Second Mission to the Mongols (1249–1251)
Near Kars, André had met a man named David. In December 1248, David visited King Louis IX of France in Cyprus. André was with the French King at this time. André understood David's words as an offer of an alliance from the Mongol general Eljigidei. It seemed the Mongols wanted to team up to attack the Islamic powers in Syria.
In response, King Louis sent André as his ambassador to Güyük Khan. André went with his brother Jacques, who was also a Dominican friar. Several other people joined them, including John Goderiche and Herbert "Le Sommelier".
Journey to the Mongol Court
The group started their journey on February 16, 1249. They carried letters from King Louis and the papal legate (the Pope's representative). They also brought many valuable gifts. One special gift was a chapel-tent lined with red cloth and decorated with religious pictures.
From Cyprus, they sailed to the port of Antioch in Syria. From there, they traveled for a year to reach the Khan's court. They covered about 55 kilometers (34 miles) each day. Their route took them through Persia, along the southern and eastern shores of the Caspian Sea. They also passed through Talas, northeast of Tashkent.
Arrival and Outcome
When André arrived at the Mongol court, he found that Güyük Khan had died. André believed the Khan had been poisoned by agents of Batu Khan. The regent-mother Oghul Qaimish (also known as "Camus") received André. She sent him away with gifts and a letter for King Louis IX. This letter was not very friendly.
However, before André left the Mongol lands, Möngke, Güyük's successor, had been chosen as the new leader.
André returned to King Louis in 1251 in Caesarea in Palestine. His report to the King was a mix of facts and stories. For example, he told tales about the Mongols' rise to power and Genghis Khan's battles with the mythical Prester John. He also described the Mongols' homeland as being near the prison of Gog and Magog.
However, André's descriptions of Mongol customs were quite accurate. His statements about Mongol Christianity and its success, though perhaps a bit exaggerated (like saying there were 800 chapels on wheels), were likely true.
André saw many piles of bones along his route. These showed the terrible destruction that other historians also wrote about. He found German Christian prisoners deep in Mongol territory (at Talas). He was also made to walk between two fires as part of a ceremony. This was because he brought gifts to a dead Khan, and the Mongols saw these gifts as a sign of submission.
This disrespectful treatment and the harsh words in the letter André brought back showed that the mission had failed. King Louis, according to Joinville, "se repenti fort" (felt very sorry).
Death
We do not know when or where André died.
We only know about André from what other writers mentioned. For example, William of Rubruck wrote about him in his travel accounts. Joinville and William of Nangis also mentioned André in their historical writings.
See also
In Spanish: André de Longjumeau para niños
- Giovanni da Pian del Carpine
- Lawrence of Portugal
- Ascelin of Lombardia
- Simon of St Quentin
- Exploration of Asia
- Franco-Mongol alliance
