HKB
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Often appears with: tartars · strategy and the aims of war · saracen astrologers · prester john insult · omens, portents, and signs · mobilization and recruitment · fate, destiny, and necessity · divination with cane · divination and oracles · diplomacy and embassies · conquest, plunder, and captives · christian astrologers
Usually: narrative (2) · betrayal (1) · the test or trial (1) · detachment (1) · indignation (1)
“When the cane that bore the name of Chinghis Kaan, without being touched by anybody, advanced to the other that bore the name of Prester John, and got on the top of it.” Marco Polo, The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 · observation
After hearing Prester John’s insulting message, Chinghis Kaan rages, musters a vast host, advances toward Prester John, and camps on the plain of Tanduc in Prester John’s territory.
HOW CHINGHIS MUSTERED HIS PEOPLE TO MARCH AGAINST PRESTER JOHN. When Chinghis Kaan heard the brutal message that Prester John had sent him, such rage seized him that his heart came nigh to bursting within him, for he was a man of a very lofty spirit. At last he spoke, and that so loud that all who were present could hear him: “Never more might he be prince if he took not revenge for the …
Prester John marches to meet Chinghis Kaan on the plain of Tanduc, camps about twenty miles apart, and astrologers perform a twigs/cane divination to predict who will win the battle.
HOW PRESTER JOHN MARCHED TO MEET CHINGHIS. Now the story goes that when Prester John became aware that Chinghis with his host was marching against him, he went forth to meet him with all his forces, and advanced until he reached the same plain of Tanduc, and pitched his camp over against that of Chinghis Kaan at a distance of 20 miles. And then both armies remained at rest for two days that they might be fresher and…