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Ameisen t1_jajci2n wrote

Reply to comment by absolutelyshafted in TIL that Crusaders granted safe passage to Mamluk armies to fight Mongols in 1260. by MimirHinnVitru

Hungary defeated the Mongols the second time, and after their initial incursions into Germany, the Emperor put into place fortification plans to beat them, but the Mongols never returned.

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absolutelyshafted t1_jajcnx9 wrote

True but also the mongols never sent a real army (only raiding parties) and they retreated on their own after the emperor died to elect a new one.

I think if the mongols pushed hard into Europe like they did with Persia and China, it would’ve been over. The mongols had no issue with adopting new technology like siege engines and whatnot. China actually had better forts than Europe at the time

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Ameisen t1_jajr3u4 wrote

Mongols would have had a lot of difficulty with central European terrain, and the sheer density of fortifications - Europe had a lot of castles, forts, and fortified cities, since they were constantly at war. Fortifications in Europe and Asia were also quite different.

It would have been a very difficult campaign for the Mongols.

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AnselaJonla t1_jajsvms wrote

> Mongols would have had a lot of difficulty with central European terrain, and the sheer density of fortifications - Europe had a lot of castles, forts, and fortified cities, since they were constantly at war.

Isn't this the "Dothraki wouldn't do well in Westeros" argument? Which makes sense, given the influences GRRM drew from.

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Ameisen t1_jajvqo0 wrote

Germany alone today has tens of thousands of castles (though not as many in the 13th century). It would have been a strange place for the Mongols, especially as the Emperor's orders were to heavily stock the castles and cities, avoid direct engagements, and force the Mongols into sieges.

This AskHistorians reply goes into more detail aa well., including other, more important factors.

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