- Benedykt Polak
Benedykt Polak ("Benedictus Polonus", ang. "Benedict the Pole" or "Benedict of Poland") (c.
1200 , probably inWrocław – c.1280 probably in Kraków) was a Polish Franciscan priest, traveler and explorer.He was a companion of
Giovanni da Pian del Carpine in his journey as delegate of PopeInnocent IV to theGreat Khan of theMongol s in1245 -1247 . He was the author of the brief chronicle "De Itinere Fratrum Minorum ad Tartaros". This journey preceded that ofMarco Polo .The report of Benedykt is important because it includes a copy of the letter of the Great Khan to the Pope [ [http://www.benedyktpolak.pl/index.php?page=dzial&dzial_id=1| biography of Benedykt (in Polish)] ] .
History
Little is known about the life of Friar Benedykt beyond the story of the journey.He was educated and spoke and wrote
Latin . He had become a monk in the Franciscan monastery inWroclaw about 1236. This was the first major stop of Friar Giovanni after leaving on the mission fromLyon in April 1245. Benedykt was chosen to accompany him as an interpreter because he had also acquired a knowledge of theOld East Slavic language and the first part of their journey was toKiev .After their return in 1247, Benedykt wrote his short account of the journey. Later he was a witness at the
Canonization of SaintStanislaus of Szczepanów in 1252 [ [http://www.benedyktpolak.pl/index.php?page=dzial&dzial_id=1| biography of Benedykt (in Polish)] ] .ources
ee also
*
Giovanni_da_Pian_del_Carpine
*Exploration of Asia
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
