Alans in China

Before we look at the Alan wandering through Europe and North Africa, it is worth looking at the Eastern extent of their travels.

The office of First Parasol Bearer doesn't immediately conjure up the image of a fierce barbarian, prepared to give his life for his emperor Khan Qubilai (Shizu in Chinese), but that was the title given to the Alan warrior Jiao Hua in the court of the Yuan Mongol dynasty (1299 - 1368) of Chinese Emperors, so perhaps parasol loses a little in translation. As a result of his military prowess, he also acquired his father's titles of Officer of the Imperial Guard followed by Chiliarch [Battalion commander] of the Left Asud guard. He finally finished a distinguished career as Chief Minister of the Directorate for the Imperial Accessories. No, don't ask; perhaps he looked after the Emperor's Jimmy Choo raping and pillaging boots.

The important point is that the Mongols who invaded China took with them a band of Alans that became prominent in the ranks of the imperial army and the Emperor's personal bodyguard, during the Mongol dynasty of 13th and 14th centuries.