Nonetheless, his journey added a great deal to knowledge about the East and the History of the Mongols was circulated throughout Europe (the English word ‘horde’, often used in connection with the Mongols, derives from the Turkish ordu, meaning ‘camp’). For his part, the pope decided to send a preacher to Karakorum, in the hope of converting the Great Khan. The man chosen, William of Rusbruck, set out in 1253 and was disappointed to find that the Khan had no interest whatsoever in being converted.26 However, while he was in Karakorum he observed several other
