Medieval chroniclers portrayed the sultan as impressed yet protective of his own people

Evidence

Jacques elaborates on Francis’s mission in his Historia occidentalis, affirming that the mere presence of the saint transformed the Egyptian sultan from a ferocious beast into a gentle listener; he listened to Francis for days. Finally, afraid that Francis would succeed in converting his subjects, the sultan had him escorted with honor to the crusader camp, asking him, “Pray for me, that God might deign to reveal to me the law and the faith that most appeal to him.” Jacques affirms that Saracens are ready everywhere to listen to the Word of God, though that they chase off the friars as soon as they insult Muhammad. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1098

Categorization

• CANDY: The image of the Sultan asking a friar to pray that God reveal the best religion is a light, quotable medieval vignette.