According to some accounts, in the beginning of the 13th century King John of England (1167–1216) sent an embassy to the Almohad Sultan Muhammad al-Nasir (1199–1213), requesting military support and an alliance against France. At home, King John was faced with a dire situation, in which his Barons revolted against him, he had been excommunicated by the Pope, and France was threatening to invade. The embassy of three was led by Bishop Roger, and King John supposedly offered to convert to Islam and pay a tribute to al-Nasir in exchange for his help. Al-Nasir apparently dismissed the proposal.
There seems to be some skepticism whether John really made this offer and how successful it would have been if John had converted (and presumably got the rest of his kingdom to go along with this, because if he doesn't, I don't see his time on the throne being especially long). An Islamic England and Catholic Scotland and Ireland sure would give those diplomatic relations an interesting spin.
And just a little later on, over on the Continent:
Franco-Mongol relations were established in the 13th century, as Christian Crusaders and the Mongol Empire attempted to form a Franco-Mongol alliance against the Muslims.
So, the Anglo-Islamic Alliance on one side and the Franco-Mongols on the other: WHO WILL WIN???!!!!
Also posted at Dreamwidth, where there are
2013-01-25 04:42 pm (UTC)
2013-01-25 05:01 pm (UTC)
(also, obligatory acknowledgment that allying with the Mongols has certain risks)
Edited at 2013-01-25 05:06 pm (UTC)
2013-01-25 06:15 pm (UTC)
The way things are going in France, this question may not be understandable in another generation.
"...[A]ccording to some accounts..." King John was willing to have his foreskin removed?
I love Wikipedia.
Especially since Weekly World News folded. (I miss the Bat Boy headlines!)
2013-01-25 06:20 pm (UTC)
2013-01-25 08:18 pm (UTC)
Aaah, that's what the Haruhi Suzumiya stories are referencing.
2013-01-25 06:33 pm (UTC)
You really need to start working on a better set of right-wing tinfoil hattery to advocate.
Re:
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2013-01-26 05:49 am (UTC)
Bring the rest of the gang.
Sorry to frighten you.
2013-01-26 01:15 pm (UTC)
They say alcoholics stay at the mental age when they first started drinking. When did you start? When you were nine?
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2013-01-25 11:15 pm (UTC)
(Anonymous)
2013-01-26 12:42 am (UTC)
But the French have an advantage, geographically speaking: the Mongols will have to make their way through all of Poland and the HRE before they can personally adress any disagreements with their allies. (And if they actually fight the people they are supposed to be fighting, all the way though Mameluke Egypt, north Africa, Muslim spain and the Christian Spains.) [1]
Bruce
[1] Come to think of it, what's in it for the Mongols? What are the French doig to help the Khans out? Islamic Britain is hardly a worrisome issue to the Mongols.
2013-01-25 09:15 pm (UTC)
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2013-01-26 04:10 am (UTC)
So, yeah, the just-vanquished Muslim potentate was the best choice to give the province to. And he was peaceful yet the Pope kept throwing these fits.
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2013-01-25 11:21 pm (UTC)
Conrad Stargard and his retro-industrialized Poles?
2013-01-27 04:57 am (UTC)
--Dave, will realign historical axes out of joint for food