by Anne Gracie
The rest of Thomas’s experience (and that of his men) was also typical of what happened to many people taken by Barbary Corsairs.
Here’s how historian Prof. Robert C. Davis explained it: “These freebooters took their captives from merchant ships, fishing boats and any village they could sack, selling them in the slave markets of Salé on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, or in Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, on the Barbary Coast. Some captives—the very wealthy and many women—were bought by dealers who specialized in ransoming and were often well treated, more as hostages than as slaves.
“The great majority were properly enslaved, though, worked hard by their masters, regularly beaten and sold when they were no longer fit or profitable.
“At least an eighth of the captives were allocated to the state, its share in recompense for supporting the corsairs. They were set to work on state projects—building the harbor, or fortifications, digging in quarries, serving as longshoremen; or rowing in the galleys.
“Those sold to private masters were either used as house servants or farm laborers or rented out to potters, tanners, construction bosses or water sellers. A lucky few managed to run shops or taverns, paying their masters a monthly fee for the privilege. Women not suitable for ransoming generally ended up in the harem of wealthy corsairs or the ruling pasha, either as serving maids or concubines.”
(Robert C. Davis, https://publicdomainreview.org/2011/10/03/slavery-in-north-africa-the-famous-story-of-captain-james-riley/)
WILLIAM WILLSHIRE
At age twenty-four, Englishman William Willshire was sent to Mogador as an agent of an English trading company. Shortly afterward he was appointed the British vice consul in Mogador. He made a success of his business, but his name is remembered today because he redeemed, cared for and helped repatriate hundreds of Christian sailors—not only Englishmen—who were enslaved in the sultanate of Morocco during the early part of the nineteenth century. The town of Willshire in the U.S. state of Ohio was named after him, in thanks, by Capt. James Riley.
The fictional character of Wilmott in my story, though he organized the care and repatriation of Thomas’s men and his name sounds similar to Willshire, is not based on any real historical character. I often like to include characters of mixed background, especially since there was a lot of travel and interaction between people of different nationalities, races and cultures in historical times, as well as now. Also, Wilmott was one of those characters who simply sprang to life and refused to be relegated to a quiet corner of a novel.
If you want to know more about this background history, simply search for Barbary pirates, Capt. James Riley, William Willshire, Barbary slavery or galley slaves on the web, and you’ll find masses of fascinating information. But be warned—it’s an endless warren of rabbit holes.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Next in my “convenient marriage” series is George’s story. As you will no doubt have guessed, she’s about to lead a certain cold-eyed duke on a merry (or possibly quite grumpy) chase . . .
Thanks again for reading Marry in Secret.
Anne Gracie
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Gracie is the award-winning author of the Chance Sisters Romances, which include The Summer Bride, The Spring Bride, The Winter Bride and The Autumn Bride, and the Marriage of Convenience Romance series, including Marry in Scandal and Marry in Haste. She spent her childhood and youth on the move. The roving life taught her that humor and love are universal languages and that favorite books can take you home, wherever you are. Anne started her first novel while backpacking solo around the world, writing by hand in notebooks. Since then, her books have been translated into more than eighteen languages and include Japanese manga editions (which she thinks is very cool), and audio editions. In addition to writing, Anne promotes adult literacy, flings balls for her dog, enjoys her tangled garden and keeps bees. Visit her online at annegracie.com. You can also subscribe to her newsletter.
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