The Cremona elephant was a gift presented to Holy Roman Emperor Frederick IIbySultan of Egypt Al-Kamil, in 1229. Frederick used the elephant in his triumph parades.
The elephant is mentioned in the context of the visit of Frederick's brother-in-law Richard of CornwalltoCremona in 1241, in the Chronica MaioraofMatthew Paris. The presence of the animal is also recorded in the Cremona city annals, in 1237.
This elephant was the first of its species reported from first-hand experience by European sources since the days of Abul Abbas owned by Charlemagne. Another 13th-century individual was owned by Louis IX (attested for 1255).
