Turkish English

Ah, England: the illustrious pioneer of Western civilization. And yes, the originator of the chip – England's culinary gift to the world. An intriguing, lesser-known tale about our beloved homeland exists beyond the confines of standard education. This peculiar narrative unveils a time when England teetered on the brink of embracing Islam, an unexpected chapter that finds its genesis with the enigmatic King John.

In the year 1199, the role of reigning King of England didn't bestow the anticipated advantages upon John, for he found himself bereft of financial solace. King John's predecessor, his brother Richard I, commonly known as Richard the Lionheart or even BraveDaddy (though he disdained the moniker Dick), displayed an extravagant disposition. Embarking on the Third Crusade, Richard's ambitious pursuit to reclaim Jerusalem resulted in colossal expenditures and a lamentable tally of zero reclaimed Jerusalems. His campaign did lead to notable acquisitions in Sicily and Cyprus, but upon his return, Richard encountered imprisonment by the opportunistic Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VI. This maneuver exacted a severe toll on the English treasury, a two-year depletion of revenues, courtesy of the English crown.

The tale further unfolds with the untimely demise of Richard due to a festering crossbow wound, leaving King John burdened with the colossal task of defending vast expanses of land - reminiscent of present-day France - coupled with scarce resources. This era witnessed an unrivaled sequence of English defeats, culminating in the loss of Normandy, Anjou, and Maine. The Pope's excommunication of John and eventual coercion from his English vassals led to the signing of the Magna Carta, an epitome of his tumultuous reign.

Desperate for allies, King John resorted to a rather unconventional approach: expanding his social circle through a medieval version of Tinder. Left swipe, left swipe, left swipe – ah, there it is! A potential match emerged in al-Nasir, the Caliph of the Almohads, who ruled over a Muslim realm spanning North Africa to modern-day Spain. The southern frontier of his dominion faced threats from France and the burgeoning Iberian Kingdoms. While the logistical feasibility of military support between the realms remained questionable, the prospect tantalized John.

In 1212, a royal envoy, led by the enigmatic Robert of London, a Jewish convert enamored with intrigue and riches, journeyed to the court of al-Nasir. This mission carried an audacious proposal: King John was prepared to pledge allegiance and forsake Christianity in favor of Islam, on the condition that the Muslims aided in the reclamation of his lost French territories. The feasibility of such a seismic transformation among the English populace remains debatable, yet the narrative takes an unexpected twist.

Behind closed doors, Robert confided in al-Nasir, exposing King John as a ruthless monarch plagued by failure. Grateful for Robert's forthrightness, the Caliph sent the envoy away empty-handed. Upon Robert's return, he cleverly displayed the gifts he had received, an action that earned him further rewards from King John, including lavish presents and the esteemed position of abbot at St Albans.

The preservation of this anecdote owes itself to Robert's ill-fated boastfulness. He recounted his tale to an unwitting monk at his abbey, a diligent chronicler who meticulously documented every detail. Ironically, this monk later chronicled Robert's downfall, attributing it to misappropriation of church funds. Regardless, the entire episode bore no fruit, as al-Nasir met his demise at the hands of Crusaders a year later, with King John's own demise not far behind.

While debates persist regarding the veracity of Robert's translation and whether the encounter truly transpired, this saga stands as a testament to the potent forces of desperation and ambition.