William of Rubruck

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/william-of-rubruck

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was William of Rubruck born?Likely in the 1210s or 1220s
2. Where was William of Rubruck born?Rubrouck, County of Flanders (modern-day France)
3. What is the related topics?Medieval exploration, Mongol Empire, Franciscan missions, Eurasian history, travel literature
4. Who was William of Rubruck?William of Rubruck was a Flemish Franciscan monk from the 13th century who traveled far beyond most Europeans of his time.
5. Why did King Louis IX send William to the Mongols?King Louis IX wanted to learn about the Mongols' power, their religions, and whether they could be allies against Muslim forces.

Franciscan missionary: A member of the Franciscan order undertaking religious missions, often involving travel to foreign lands for evangelization and study.
Mongol Empire: The vast empire established by Genghis Khan and his successors, which dominated much of Eurasia in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Karakorum: The capital city of the Mongol Empire during the 13th century, serving as a center of administration and culture.
Itinerarium: The Latin title for William of Rubruck's written account of his journey to the Mongol Empire.