A Tale of Prester John – A Nestorian Mongol Empire

Prelude
Prelude:

In 1216 Temujin, later to be known as Genghis Khan, converts to Nestorian Christianity after being convinced by the many influential Nestorians in his court that it was the one true faith. At first, this momentous event that would reverberate throughout the whole world for centuries to come would remain a secret, so as not to upset the various other religious groups that comprised his ever-growing empire. Muslims tribes dominated the western steppes such as the Kazakhs, Uzbeks, and even the Uighurs who had willingly submitted to Mongol rule, and Genghis knew his conversion would not be welcomed among these Turkic groups. Most Mongols followed the Tengri faith, an ancient belief system of the steppes, but fanaticism was non-existent and they found it natural to tolerate other groups within the Horde’s boundaries. Nestorianism however had a long history on the steppe, with influential Mongol tribes like the Kerait and Naimans who had been converted by travelling missionaries over the centuries of long isolation from civilization. Thus, Nestorianism was nothing new to the Khan and after conquering Nestorian realms such as the Kara Khitai who were the most dominant Nestorian polity of the steppe, controlling waypoints on the silk road like Navekath and Kashgar, the many scholars who had been taken to the Mongol court in Karakorum saw their influence in a rapidly growing empire the perfect opportunity to spread the faith. What Genghis did not realise at this point however was that beyond the vast realms of the Muhammadans, lay Europe, a land engaged in perpetual war against those who would soon become a mutual enemy; and history would be changed forever.
 
Chapter 1: On the Brink
In 1219 the Crusader states seemed on their last breath. Their constant war against the newly formed Egyptian Ayyubid sultanate was being lost. In a bold move in alliance with the venetians the crusaders had stormed Damietta, the second city of the Nile delta’s coast. After taking the city the crusaders marched on Cairo with the mission to force convert the Ayyubid sultan al-Kamil. The expedition ended in a disastrous routing of the crusaders and the very existence of the crusader states seemed to be at stake. Christian morale was extremely low with the Levantine kingdoms in the defensive and the Byzantine empire having been neutered after the sack of Constantinople during the 4th crusade in 1204. Pope Honorius III said that the calamities faced were thanks to the sins of those who had not helped in the struggle against the Saracens. Just as rapture seemed imminent, however, reports came through of what appeared nothing less than a miracle.

News of a vast army marching from the depths of Asia, brutally crushing all who stood in their way heading to the crusader’s relief. The identity of the incoming army was immediately obvious. It could be none other than Prester John himself, charging under the banner of God against the infidels to save not just the crusaders but Christendom itself. Rumours abounded that Prester John ruled as Lord of Lords over a kingdom close to heaven on earth. Milk and honey apparently flowed freely through his lands and poison could do him no harm, nor did noisy frogs croak. The crusaders merely needed to hold strong and victory would be assured.
 
In 1219 the Crusader states seemed on their last breath. Their constant war against the newly formed Egyptian Ayyubid sultanate was being lost. In a bold move in alliance with the venetians the crusaders had stormed Damietta, the second city of the Nile delta’s coast. After taking the city the crusaders marched on Cairo with the mission to force convert the Ayyubid sultan al-Kamil. The expedition ended in a disastrous routing of the crusaders and the very existence of the crusader states seemed to be at stake. Christian morale was extremely low with the Levantine kingdoms in the defensive and the Byzantine empire having been neutered after the sack of Constantinople during the 4th crusade in 1204. Pope Honorius III said that the calamities faced were thanks to the sins of those who had not helped in the struggle against the Saracens. Just as rapture seemed imminent, however, reports came through of what appeared nothing less than a miracle.

News of a vast army marching from the depths of Asia, brutally crushing all who stood in their way heading to the crusader’s relief. The identity of the incoming army was immediately obvious. It could be none other than Prester John himself, charging under the banner of God against the infidels to save not just the crusaders but Christendom itself. Rumours abounded that Prester John ruled as Lord of Lords over a kingdom close to heaven on earth. Milk and honey apparently flowed freely through his lands and poison could do him no harm, nor did noisy frogs croak. The crusaders merely needed to hold strong and victory would be assured.

Making Genghis and most of his successors Nestorian is not a problem and there would be no need in making it a secret because Genghis established a complete religious tolerance on his territories. However, a positive reaction of the Christian world is anything but guaranteed.

In OTL Batu’s son and successor, Sartak, was a Nestorian but, at least according to Gumilev, his relations with the Russian Orthodox Church had been worse than those of his Muslim successor, Berke. Then there was a well known case of Kitbuqa, also a Nestorian, who offered an alliance to the crusading states. Following not quite clear logic, they preferred an alliance with the Mamluks which resulted in Ain Jalut and eventual destruction of the Outremer states. Of course, this can be countered by the examples of cooperation but my point is that there could be a problem with the rosy picture you painted.


Not sure about your time frame either: in 1219 Mongolian conquest of Khwaresm just started so the Mongols were far away from the Outremer and information about them and their religion was not necessarily available.
 
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