Rus

Ibn Fadlan 1: From Baghdad with Very Cold Beards

Ahmad ibn Fadlan travels from early 10th century Baghdad on a diplomatic mission to the Volga Bulgars. There is a Viking funeral in his future, along with unfamiliar cultures and extremely cold weather. It's not The 13th Warrior, which it loosely inspired, but it is a good story.

To See the Mongols 1: Giovanni Carpine Goes East

In 1241, Latin Christendom awoke to a nightmare. The horror wasn’t “on its doorstep” so much as it was kicking in the door and smashing the windows having first slaughtered the neighbours, burned down their homes, and taken their livestock.