The events in “A Handful of Earth” take place in the XIII century in what is now Russia. At the time Russia was a collection of city-states ruled by princes (knyazia in Russian). When the Mongols led by Batu Khan attacked Russia (Rus at the time), the princes were unable to mount a meaningful defense because of the old rivalries and territorial disputes. One by one Russian city-states fell to the Mongol invaders, some after long sieges, others very quickly. For the next 200 years Russia would be under the Mongol rule.

Not much is historically known about Batu Khan. He was a grandson of Genghis Khan and a son of Juchi whose paternity was not completely certain, since his mother was abducted and briefly held in captivity by a tribe rival to that of Genghis Khan. Although Genghis Khan recognized Juchi as his son, Genghis Khan’s descendents expressed their doubts, which is why Batu Khan could never win the title of the Great Khan.

Because so little is known about Batu Khan, I took certain liberties in creating his character.