Guillaume de Rubrouck...
		Towards 1120 was born with RUBROUCK, close to CASSEL, that which was to bear the name of this village through ASIA and to make it quote by many books of history. It was initially only a one modest monk franciscain: brother Guillaume de Rubrouck or Rubruquis. During a HOLY LAND pilgrimage, it met HOLY LOUIS (LOUIS IX) that y was there in CRUSADE. This one having undoubtedly noticed it for its coolness (that one distinguishes in his writings) sent it in EMBASSY in MONGOLIA. May 7 1253 it left CONSTANTINOPLE with two other monks and some servants to unload in the CRIMEA. July 22 it crossed the GIFT then crosses the URAL, the mounts of the ALTAÎ and arrived to MONGOLIA. December 27 it met the emperor of Mongolia there: The LARGE KHAN who reigned of CHINA in ASIA MINOR. While following its wandering court, it reached in April 1254, black " pregnant " KARAKERWA, capital of the Mongolian empire located at the heart of Mongolia. It remained there until July, then it was the return about by the same path.
Thus in 25 months it traversed 20 000 km! It was a forwarding remarkable, comparable with that of Marco Polo, but former several tens of years. For this populated unknown ground voyage of barbarians the mission was with the height of forwarding: Rubriquis had as a task the prediction of the Gospel in Tartarie. One indeed thought at that time, that a Mongolian head of the edges of VOLGA was Christian. The Guillaume brother was thus to go near this Prince and to obtain from him the authorization of évangéliser his people. Missionnaire profited owing to the fact that it was in Mongolia during the Easter to hear the confessions and to give the communion to the many Christian slaves. He baptized even sixty of them. Noting the uselessness of its steps of evangelization, Rubruquis was resigned to return to Europe.
		A second significant mission of the brother was of command diplomatic. Mongolian launched attacks against the Moslems in same time that the Christians crossed against ISLAM. Rubruquis was carrying letters intended for the MONGOLIAN EMPEROR. Saint Louis wished to approach these tribes to fight against the common enemy. If these letters did not have a continuation, the quality of the diplomatic mail made it possible to Guillaume de Rubrouck to travel while running less dangers. PASCHEL, German geographer, written: " the account of Rubruquis must be looked like the largest geographical masterpiece of the Middle Ages ". For English H.YULE: " the relation addressed to Saint Louis by Guillaume de Rubrouck forms by the richness of its details, by the depth of its observations... a work of range much higher than does not matter that it started from the voyages of Marco Polo ". THUS, AS OF the 13th CENTURY, GUILLAUME OF RUBROUCK A ACCOMPLISHES a SCIENTIFIC VOYAGE IN the HEART OF ASIA. GUIDE BY THE SPIRIT OF OBSERVATION AND ALSO GOOD SENS WHICH CHARACTERIZED THE FLEMINGS, IT A VISITS AND MAKES DISCOVER A EUROPE A WHOLE CONTINENT.
A LITTLE HISTORY... "RUBROUCK" Small village of Flanders, 13km in the west of Cassel, 703 inhabitants, whose name appears towards 1104 and means" broussailleux marsh ", was retained in the operation 100 Villages of France for its originality and its conservation Its old houses on the place of the church, its Flemish typical farms, its FEUDAL MOUND, especially (Seigniory of Belhof), accessible by a small path arranged on the side from the presbytery, deserve a visit. This circular ground hillock, surrounded by water, and its quadrangular farmyard, preserved well, are an example of defence work and refuge against water with the Middle Ages.
		The CHURCH Built at the XVI 3rd century then increased in XVIIème century, has a monumental tower, built partly with materials of the cathedral of Thérouanne, top which a very beautiful landscape and panorama of the Flanders are discovered. In XVIème century, Rubrouck was famous for its company of writers and poets. CHARLES QUINT " privileged " this literary assembly under the name of " ALWAYS GREEN COMPANY OF BLESSED SACRAMENT ", into 1532 A the end of the century Flandres is traversed, devastated, plundered by tapes of iconoclastes, and Rubrouck pays a heavy tribute with these hérétiques, the priest and its vicar is assassinated then thrown in a well, always visible(PAEPE COULD) close to the farm of Mr Diers Philippe. In 1813, inhabitants anti-Bonapartists form a maquis of resistance in the forest of Nieppe and are opposed, in Rubrouck, the soldiers sent to restore the command. In XXème century, the population did not cease decreasing: from 1580 about 1845 it passes to 1000 about 1930, then to 680 in 1975 to go back slightly to 70 to the last census... Recently the commune grew rich by a showroom on GUILLAUME BY RUBROUCK and MONGOLIA: Opening saturdays and Sunday of 14h30 with 17h30, or in week on go (to call in town hall to the 03 28 43 03 83 or the seat of association Guillaume de Rubrouck to the 03 28 42 31 99).
Because of its carefully preserved character, Rubrouck is classified " Village of France ". Its church of the " hallekerque " type, whose tower goes back to 1532, is classified historic building, just as the organ case and three retables of XVIIIème century. Its feudal mound, with its ditches and its farmyard, is also registered with the inventory. The Good Friday 1568, Rubrouck paid its tribute with the war of the GUEUX which had especially prevailed two years earlier: the priest and his vicar were killed in the church and their bodies thrown in an always called pond " PAPEPUT ". For a few years, community life has strongly developed in Rubrouck. Thus the body of the firemen went voluntary to create a giant with the memory of Guillaume brother and that the elder ones had the idea to manufacture in quantity of the flags to the colors of Mongolia.
		In conclusion of his voyage, Guillaume de Rubrouck sends to king de France his relation entitled (ITINERARIUM). Réaliste Guillaume thinks that it is chimerical to expect the conversion of Large Khan. But it noted the religious tolerance of the Mongols, in singular contrasts with the fanaticism of the Moslems. Consequently, why not consider bishop sending good, assisted of a good interpreter, to obtain from Khan the establishment of a Church room? However, this project will be precisely that of third franciscain, Jean of Montcorvin, which will take the road towards the east the year which will follow that of the death of our hero, probably in 1293. Contrary to his two predecessors, Jean de Montcorvin will not be satisfied with a momentary mission. Its zeal missionnaire attaches it to the heart even of Peking, the new Mongolian capital. Its ministry was at this crowned point of success that in 1307 the pope Clément V creates it first archbishop of Peking. (Of aprés Mgr Jean-François Mound, in Clearness God, January 1993, and Jean Favier, in Dictionary of medieval France).
On your arrival with Rubrouck, a typically Flemish house in the heart of the village will be for you the starting point of a distance travels towards Mongolia... Personally accomodated and thanks to a guided tour, you will be the witness of what Guillaume brother was going to discover dice 1253, well before Marco Polo... You will be able to stroll with leisure in the medium of the images, music, objets d'art and life which will make you traverse Asia. This tour will lead you in particular until the yourte (Mongolian dwelling) where you will be able to imagine the Mongolian life of yesterday and of today. While leaving the house of Guillaume de Rubrouck, find the authenticity of the Flemish country by visiting the village and its historic buildings (Church classified with its three retables, feudal mound...).
The House of Guillaume de Rubrouck is open: April 1 at September 30 Saturday and Sunday from 14h30 to 17h30 Reservation for any visit in week Reservation for the groups in week or the weekend. For information and reservation : 06 84 68 09 81 or Town hall: 03 28 43 03 83 Price : 3 euros per personn Groups : 2 euros per personn Free for child (less than 16 year's old)