ABSTRACT

Mulay Zidan declared there were records showing that in El Mansur's reign alone the Sudan had consumed 23,000 Moorish troops. El Mansur became generally known as El Dzehebi, the Golden, and it is nowhere suggested that the name was not well deserved. The gold was mostly tibar from the Sudan, but through the medium of Moroccan Jews great quantities of Moorish sequins were sent to London where they were reminted into coin of the realm. In 1562, roused by a reverse in Morocco, the Portuguese vigorously protested against the iniquitous trade which long since had been banned by the Popes. On representations being made by the Portuguese, who had heard with concern of the proposed extension of the nefarious traffic, the Privy Council took steps to prevent English seamen entering the Hansa service for African voyages. The capture of the gold trade was the great inducement.