Shihab al-Din al-Nuwayri, court historian and scholar of the Mamluk sultanate of Cairo, reported in 1327:
"In this year, 727 AH(1327), envoys visited the sultan on behalf of the Papacy, who occupies the position of Lord (to his religious authority) of the Franks. They had an audience with the Sultan and presented the gifts that they had brought. The message of their letter, was a request that the Sultan make clear his decree regarding the Christians of the empire. They mentioned that there were many Muslims in the lands of the Franks, and if the Sultan treated the non Muslims well in his own kingdom, the Franks would accordingly treat the Muslims well. The Sultan listened to their letter, accepted their gifts, treated them with kindness, and sent them back to their sovereign."
-Shihab al-Din al-Nuwayri, eye witness in the Mamluk court.
My question, is, what Muslim community was the envoys referring too? Perhaps in Iberia or Sicily? If it was the latter, the Muslim had already held distinguished roles in the Christian courts of Sicily, so I am not sure about that particular case.
Also, is there an account either from the court of France (Philipe IV, whose envoys accompanied the Pope's) or the Papacy or any other group to affirm this account? I cannot imagine him lying about this, yes, he was wrong and fantastical in his accounts of things he had heard; yet, he was there on this occasion and did not give a testimony outside reality.
Thanks for any responses.
"In this year, 727 AH(1327), envoys visited the sultan on behalf of the Papacy, who occupies the position of Lord (to his religious authority) of the Franks. They had an audience with the Sultan and presented the gifts that they had brought. The message of their letter, was a request that the Sultan make clear his decree regarding the Christians of the empire. They mentioned that there were many Muslims in the lands of the Franks, and if the Sultan treated the non Muslims well in his own kingdom, the Franks would accordingly treat the Muslims well. The Sultan listened to their letter, accepted their gifts, treated them with kindness, and sent them back to their sovereign."
-Shihab al-Din al-Nuwayri, eye witness in the Mamluk court.
My question, is, what Muslim community was the envoys referring too? Perhaps in Iberia or Sicily? If it was the latter, the Muslim had already held distinguished roles in the Christian courts of Sicily, so I am not sure about that particular case.
Also, is there an account either from the court of France (Philipe IV, whose envoys accompanied the Pope's) or the Papacy or any other group to affirm this account? I cannot imagine him lying about this, yes, he was wrong and fantastical in his accounts of things he had heard; yet, he was there on this occasion and did not give a testimony outside reality.
Thanks for any responses.