Papal–Mongol Alliance Negotiations

After the Mongol conquest of Baghdad and the Mamluk victory at Ayn Jalut, rulers and envoys explored whether the Ilkhanate and western Christians could cooperate against their shared enemies in Syria and Egypt. Such proposals moved through papal, French and eastern Christian diplomatic networks.

Religious difference, distance, conflicting priorities and changes of ruler repeatedly prevented a durable military alliance. The negotiations nevertheless shaped crusading strategy and European ideas about Mongol power.

The Saracen: Land of the Infidel turns these diplomatic possibilities into an espionage plot at Pope Urban IV’s court in Orvieto, where Daoud attempts to prevent an alliance that could threaten the Mamluk state.