Europeans were desperate for an ally against the Muslims so they could retake Jerusalem. These travels led to the "Prestor John" rumors of a far East Christian

Europeans were desperate for an ally against the Muslims so they could retake Jerusalem. These travels led to the "Prestor John" rumors of a far East Christian kingdom who would potentially aid their conquests. Nothing came of it, though the Mongols attacking the region and the Byzantine decision to largely pay them off probably kept the Eastern Roman Empire alive for a few extra centuries.