On the one hand, the diplomatic note describes the immense power of the Mongols, but counteracts this with information about the widespread dissemination of the Christian faith in the Mongol Empire, which now includes the former home of the Magi. Yes, the Great Khan himself and his family had meanwhile been converted. At first diplomacy was successful, the Mongols were satisfied, and the West did not think of a military conflict. On the contrary, it was again considered an alliance against the Muslims possible. Through a happy coincidence of events at the same time just the Crusader King Ludwig IX. from France in Cyprus, which was later called the saint. He was equally enthusiastic about the idea.
When the Pope made a similar assessment of the situation, another legation, led by Andreas von Longjumeau, later adviser to Louis IX, was taken to Karakorum. We know very little about this embassy, except that the result was disillusioning: the Great Khan was not a Christian, and the Mongolian self-image, claiming undivided world domination, did not allow an alliance.
The disappointment in the medieval "executive suites" was certainly great, but on the other hand there were no naïve dreamers in them, but diplomats, politicians and power-men who did not give up so easily. If you could not make a quick alliance with this new world power, you'd have to go the other way, pursue a medium-term strategy, tactically pave the way for an alliance. The approach was seen in the already existing Christian communities in the Mongolian inflow area. Nor did they want to test the new strategy in Karakorum, but at the court of the nearest Mongol prince.
For this purpose, a man was needed who mastered the knightly virtues such as character strength, good upbringing, self-discipline, moderation and cheerful living in all situations. There was no need for a youthful hotspur. Of course, he should also be educated, fluent in several languages, religiously well-founded, blameless and absolutely reliable.
After some searching, they found the right candidate in Wilhelm von Rubruk from Flanders, a handsome man. His year of birth is uncertain, the historians suspect that it is between 1215 and 1220th About his career is little known. But everything indicates that he studied at a university, probably in Paris, the intellectual stronghold and the center of scholasticism. There he learned those forms of scientific questioning and argument that later helped him to form an image of the world of the Mongols and to insist on the court of the Grosskhan. He joined the Franciscan Order. Founded by Francis of Assisi (1181 / 82-1226), the order was still young and deeply imbued with the spirit of its founder.