If my memory does not betray me, this Ibn Fadlan was a spy sent by arabs to the north, through the land of Khazars to the land of vikings (northern Russia). He left one of the best descriptions of viking's customs, especially a highly grafic of that of a viking burial.
On the other hand vikings were massively employed by Byzantine and even Georgian royalty, primeraly in their war against arabs; later Osman army initially consisted of a very large number of western and armenian mercenary troops. One can also find a lot of evidence of mamluks using western made swords (starting with military manuals).
I would greatly recommend another book by David Nicolle - arms and armour of the crusading era, Volume II (the east) - truly fantastic collection of images.
|