The People of Gibraltar
 2020 - Once upon a time in Islamic Gibraltar

Anonymous: Libro del Conoscimiento de todos los rregnos (1300)
Also known as the Book of All Kingdoms, the Libro an anonymous late 14th-century illuminated book written by somebody who appears to be a Castilian mendicant friar. 

A page from the “libro” – the illustrations are supposed to have been created by a miniaturist from Aragon.

The style is that of a travelogue of what appears to be the entire world. The bit about Gibraltar and surrounding area is very short and somewhat odd. The quotes below are from a transcription by Marco Jiménez de la Espada published in 1877 translated into English by Sir Clemens Markham

Thence I went to a town in the Kingdom of Castille . . . which they call Tarifa. It was founded by a very powerful Arab named Tarif. Near this town Albuacen, King of all the land of the west, was defeated and conquered by the very noble King Alfonso of Castille, who pillaged all his tents, and took his treasures, his women and his horses. p13/14

Notes: 
“Tarif” is Tarif ibn Malik Abu Zar 
“Abuacen” is the Marinid Caliph Abu al-hasan 

A note by the English translator reminds the reader that the King of "Castille", Alfonso XI, defeated Abu l-hassan King of Morocco on 28th October 1340 - which corresponds with most other versions of the battle, although Afonso IV of Portugal also intervened as an ally of Alfonso XI. That means that the good Friar must have been there after 1340 when Gibraltar was still in Muslim hands.  The translation continues.

I departed from Tarifa and went to the city of Aljezira where is the Rock of Gibraltar, being places in the dominions of the Kings of Castille. Thence I went to Malaga. p14

Notes: 

 “Aljezira” is modern day Algeciras which became a Castilian possession when it was taken from Granada in 1344 by Alfonso XI. It was retaken by Islamic Nasrid forces in 1369. It was subsequently completed destroyed on the orders of Mohammad V of Granada to avoid having it retaken by Castile.

Algeciras in the early 18th century – still a ruin (1726 – J. Breval)

As regards Gibraltar, apart from a short interlude from 1309 to 1333, it never became part of the “dominions of the Kings of Castille” until the 15th century. 

I arrived at the strong city of Çepta. Know that Çepta is opposite Algezira and Gibraltar, places of the King of Spain. The gulf of the sea called the Strait of Azocaque passes between Çepta and Gibraltar. The King of this city has for his design a red flag with two white keys. p26/27

 

Ceuta coat of arms as shown in the book

Notes: “Çepta” is Septa or Ceuta.
The “Strait of Azocaque” is a corruption of the Arabic al-Zukak - the Strait of Gibraltar


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