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Globalization is not actually the phenomenon of the last years. Even thousands years ago people wanted to blur out the borders, and this tendency is well seen in dynasty matrimonies. A Russian princess becomes the Queen of France, a Frenchman gets the throne of Poland, and the sister of Napoleon's wife marries a sultan in Istanbul. However, the most interesting matrimony was and is the marriage of the Byzantine princess Mary Draperies. In Istanbul there is a beautiful church, built in her honor.
A travel through the world
Perhaps, if Mary was the legitimate daughter of the Byzantine emperor, she would not marry a man from a far country, Mongolia! However, the girl was the bastard princess (daughter of Emperor Michael Palaiologos VIII and his mistress). In addition, Mongolia was a world power at that time, for Batu khan conquered Russia, China, half of Europe, and reached Paris. The world trembled, hearing the hoof patter of the Mongolian cavalry, and Byzantium was not an exception. When Khan Hulagu showed his wish to become relatives with the ruling dynasty of Constantinople, everyone sighed with relief, for a dynasty matrimony was better than war. Princess Mary was sent to the far and unknown Mongolia.
Widow … before the marriage
The distance between the Bosporus and Mongolia is very big even now, and in the Middle Ages the travel took months to get there, especially taking into account the fact that the bride and her companions, including the patriarch and her personal confessor, moved slowly and solemnly. When Mary reached Mongolia, she found out, that Hulagu died, leaving her a widow before marriage. Following the Mongolian traditions, she had to marry the heir of Hulagu, Abak-khan. Mongols allowed polygamy, and Mary was one of his four wives. By the way, due to Mary there appeared many Christians in Mongolia. When the khan was angry with Christians, Mary did everything to calm him down. As a result, in the headquarters of the Golden Horde there was built a Christian church.
Return
Her husband died in several years, being poisoned by his brother, who converted to Islam and hated the Christian. Mary was asked to go back home, and she joyfully went to Constantinople. Here the widow was going to marry again - in this case her future husband was the ruler of Persia — and even affiancers were sent to the groom. However, the marriage had not take place because of many reasons, and Mary went into convent. She died in the church, which was later named in her honor. The church of St. Mary of the Mongols has been preserved in Istanbul till our days.
