The Travels of Sir John Mandeville

Cathay (China) is a rich country that is the main realm of the Mongol khan. His palace is a huge complex with forests inside it for hunting. The gold and gems that decorate the palace’s halls exemplify the khan’s unimaginable wealth. On festival days, mechanical birds that can move are brought out. Mandeville claims that the people of Cathay say that they are the only people with two eyes, as they are the cleverest in the world; Christians have one (since they are the next cleverest), and everyone else is blind.

Mandeville found out about the traditions of the khan when he and his companions fought alongside the khan against the Kingdom of Manzi for 16 months. They stayed with him so they could observe the khan’s nobleness, state ceremonies, and riches. Mandeville was amazed by the personal stateliness of the khan, saying he is greater than any other ruler, including Prester John. Mandeville wishes the khan were Christian but is nevertheless glad that the khan allows religious freedom in his empire. Foreseeing that people will doubt this, Mandeville says that he will not hide the truth to cater to the opinions of others and that he will now talk about the government and traditions of the khan.