WILLIAM DE RUBRUQUIS ad. 



1253. 



Comanlans, which lived among the common people of 

 the Tartars, to be our guides unto the citie of Kiow 

 in Russia. Howbeit one of our Tartars parted not from 

 us, till we were past the utmost gard of the Tartars. 

 But the other guides, namely the Comanians, which were 

 given us by Corrensa, brought us from the last garde unto 

 the citie of Kiow, in the space of sixe dayes. And there 

 we arrived fifteene dayes before the feast of Saint John June 8. 

 Baptist. Moreover, the Citizens of Kiow having: intelli- ^°'^ ^^^^^ 

 gence or our approch, came roortn all or them to meete corned at 

 us, with great joy. For they rejoyced over us, as over their retume. 

 men that had bene risen from death to hfe. So like wise 

 they did unto us throughout all Russia, Polonia, and 

 Bohemia. Daniel and his brother WasiJico made us a Basilius and 

 royall feast, and interteined us with them against our ^^.^^^^ 

 willes for the space of eight dayes. In the meane time, 

 they with their Bishops, and other men of account, being 

 in consultation together about those matters which we had 

 propounded unto them in our journey towards the Tartars, 

 answered us with common consent, saying : that they 

 would holde the Pope for their speciall Lord and Father, 

 and the Church of Rome for their Lady & mistresse, 

 confirming likewise al things which they had sent con- 

 cerning this matter, before our comming, by their Abbate. 

 And for the same purpose, they sent their Ambassadours 

 and letters by us also, unto our Lord the Pope. 



Itinerarium fratris Willielmi de Rubruquis de 

 ordine fratrum Minorum, Galli, Anno gratis 

 1253. ^^ partes Orientales. 



EXcellentissimo Domino & Christianissimo, Lodovico 

 Dei gratia Regi Francorum illustri, frater Willielmus 

 de Rubruquis in ordine fratrum Minorum minimus 

 salutem, & semper triumphare in Christo. Scriptum est 

 in Ecclesiastico de sapiente. In terram alienarum gentium Eccks. 39. 

 transibit, bona & mala in omnibus tentabit. Hoc opus, ^^^- 4- 

 Domine mi Rex, feci : sed utinam ut sapiens & non 

 stultus. Multi enim faciunt quod facit sapiens, sed non 



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