Differences of religion
In 1196 the Seljuk sultan, Kay-Khusraw, was deposed by his elder brother Ruk al-Din Sulaymanshah. He spent the next few years wandering in exile, seeking allies to help him regain his throne.
The Roman emperor, Alexios III Angelos, offered Kay-Khusraw refuge in Constantinople. Ibn Bibi, a Persian historian, describes the fugitive sultan's adventures in the Great City. According to him, the emperor received Kay-Khusraw with great honour, and seated the man next to his throne during ceremonies. He also reminded his Christian subjects that religion had no bearing on their relationship. Quote:
“Do not suppose that the difference between religion and belief will pose an obstacle to our sincere friendship and bonds of alliance and unity.”
During a feast, Kay-Khusraw quarreled with a Frankish knight, and punched the man for insulting him and the emperor. Afterwards he begged Angelos for permission to fight the Frank in single combat.
This was granted, and the duel fought in front of the imperial court. Kay-Khusraw killed the Frank. The next day Angelos visited him and said:
“The love for Khusraw of Islam is so deeply rooted in my heart and soul that they can by no means be separated. For a while, until the throat of malice and envy of the Franks is stamped on, the sultan prefers to stay with malik Mafruzūm (Maurozomes) who is one of the greatest caesars of Rome. Whatever happens in the circle of power, I will always be with his majesty and will cause no harm to him. And that person will keep with respect these conditions, whatever these be. Allah may bring about something new after it.”
Fine words, but we should remember this speech was put in the emperor's mouth by Ibn Bibi: it seems most unlikely, for instance, that a Roman emperor would cite the Quran.
However, the point is that Angelos sought to protect Kay-Khusraw by sending him away from court for a while. The Seljuq was sent to live on the estates of Manuel Maurozomes, the emperor's kinsman. According to Ibn Bibi, these lay on an island – a heavenly spot with lush gardens, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden.
(Before any pedant gets on my case, yes I know the first image is from the German codex: I have simply used it to depict a single combat).
