April 02

Ruy González de Clavijo served as an ambassador of King Henry III of Castile to the court of Timur (Tamerlane) in Samarkand from 1403 to 1406. His travel memoir provides one of the most detailed European accounts of Central Asian court life, customs, and geography during the early 15th century. Clavijo described the opulence of Timur's court, elaborate ceremonies, and the artist's workshop. His narrative includes observations on languages, religion, and military organization across the Silk Road. Published posthumously, his work became a valuable source for historians and inspired later explorers. Clavijo died in 1412, leaving behind a legacy as one of the first European writers to describe Central Asia in depth.