You probably know that the reference to "the shores of Tripoli"in the Marine Corps hymn refers to the naval expeditions sent to chastise the Barbary pirates of North Africa. When you dig into piracy's long history, it seems that was one industry which always did well everywhere. A fascinating part of that history is an unlikely combination of factors and peoples in the 17th century leading to the rise and fall of the Corsair Republic, based in Sale' across the bay from Rabat on the Atlantic coast of Morocco.
The story begins in Spain around 1609. The Moriscos were the Muslim population stranded in that nation after the 700-year long reconquest by the Christian kingdoms. At first they were treated with liberality, but as the advancing kingdoms grew in size, power and numbers they were encouraged to convert and finally required to. Although many did to survive, they were not trusted, and the Inquisition was loosed on them until their expulsion from the Iberian peninsula altogether by Philip III -- and that was 4% of the population! With the Jewish inhabitants forced out earlier, Spain thus lost many productive and skilled people.
The Moriscos went south to the port of Sale' and brought enough money with them to get reestablished, as well as a burning desire to exact revenge from Spain. English and Dutch black marketeers, smugglers and pirates arrived, sensing an opportunity, bringing expertise in sailing and shipbuilding. At first they paid the Sultan a tithe of 10%, but as he was embroiled in a civil war that would bring his dynasty down, the motley band declared independence in 1624. The rascal pictured above organized this small republic with a Council of 16 members and served as President. A Dutchman named Jan Janszoon, he adopted a new name, Murad Reis, and a dashing corsair mien. They attacked Spanish ships for years, and anyone else too, even to the Channel coast of England (thus the Anglicized name Sally Rovers).
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| The pirates' defenses |
Pirates did the same around the world in establishing successful full-freedom anarchist city-states: in Jamaica, Madagascar and even the Breton port of St.Malo far back in 1144. Sale' lasted longer than most, until 1668, when a strong new Sultan took control. Turkish privateer Hayreddin Barbarossa was a powerful state unto himself -- a century before the Moriscos' exile, he raided Spain's east coast relentlessly and transported 70,000 muslims safely out -- quite a feat.
If you're feeling like taking to the seas for some adventure and treasure like these rogues, or just need an idea for next Halloween, you can order online and certainly look the part:
I wasn't expecting the Spanish Inquisition!
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