Book outline for Christopher Dawson’s “Mission to Asia”
Book begins with the story of the birth of Temujin, the son of a Mongol chief of royal descent, who was killed by the Tartars. Later in alliance with the Kerait, he destroyed the Tartars and brought the Kerait under his rule, still later in 1211 the extension of Mongol rule over most of North China and Manchuria. After the fall of Peking, Chingis Khan turned his arms against the West. After his death, conquest continued Chingis Khan’s sons.
Beyond the capture of Russian fortresses Mongol arms advanced further. Western Princes began belated attempts for defense against the potential invasion and had all sent desperate appeals for aid. Fortunately for Europe, the death of Ugedey in December 1241 and discord between the Mongols leaders in the West caused their armies to withdraw from Western Europe’s borders.
In the first section presented “History of Mongols by John of Plano Carpini”. John was a 65 years old Franciscan monk, which had a mission, which was to spy on the Mongols. John met with the Guyuk Khan and this text outlines the characters and customs of the Mongols.
The second source is “Two Bulls of Pope Innocent IV addressed to the Emperor of the Tartars.
The third document is “The Narrative of Benedict the Pole”. This is a brief relation by John of Plano Carpini’s Polish companion dictated by him to a prelate of Cologne upon his return from Asia.
The forth document is Guyuk Khan’s letter to Pope Innocent IV. The Khan states that he does not understand the Pope request for him.
In “ The Journey of William of Rubruck” presented the fullest and most authentic information on the Mongol Empire in its pre- Chinese phase that we posses.
The last document group includes”The Letter of John of Monte Carvino”, a “Letter of Brother Peregrine Bishop of Zaytun”, and a “Letter of Andrew of Perugia”. Although inferior literary and historical value to John of Plano Carpini narrative they are of great...