Sultana: A Novel of Moorish Spain

by Lisa J. Yarde

  While Faraj directed his steward, Fatima took their son to a point halfway between their new home and Al-Jabal Faro. The entire city spread across the plains in a semicircle. Lamps and lanterns set it aglow with brilliant colors in the evening. Ismail babbled happily, while she pointed out various parts of the wide, remarkable vista.

  Faraj joined them. “Dearest, there’s more to see.”

  Fatima took his hand. “Let’s stay here a little longer.”

  They stood side by side with Ismail between them.

  Faraj sighed. “It’s a remarkable view, an evening in Malaka, much as I remember it.”

  “It is a beautiful sight. One, which I hope, may greet us for many evenings to come.”

  “So, beloved, you can be happy here?”

  “I intend to be happy here, my love.”

  Fatima kissed their son’s hair and whispered in his ear, “Behold, the city of your future.”

  THE END

  Author’s Note

  I wrote Sultana after many years of research into the lives of the last dynasty to rule the southern half of the country, the Moorish family of Banu’l-Ahmar, alternatively known as the Nasrids in a later period.

  The Moors

  The Moors were Islamic people of Arabian and Negro descent, who invaded the Iberian Peninsula, which encompasses modern-day Portugal and Spain, beginning in the Christian eighth century. They called the conquered land al-jazirat al-Andalus, but in later years, the term referred only to the south of Spain and became Andalusia in modern times.

  The Moors penetrated the interior and brought three-fifths of the peninsula under their control. They gave their unique culture, rich language, and the religion of Islam to a land that welcomed them at first, for the valuable riches and social order they brought. Where superstition and ignorance once pervaded all elements of life, the Moors brought intellectual pursuit and reasoning. Their blood mingled with that of the Visigoths and produced a mixed race of individuals.

  By Islamic law, Muslim men could marry or have relations with non-Muslim women. Periods of zealous anti-Christian and anti-Jewish views occurred and resulted in forced conversion, but mostly, Christians and Jews enjoyed religious tolerance under Moorish rule. Some families chose to convert willingly, for all the requisite benefits including as the avoidance of certain taxes and the gains of political and social advancement, while others practiced their former religion in secret.

  Spurred on by religious fanaticism, bigotry, and jealousy of the Moorish achievements, the people of the northern half of the peninsula began the Reconquista, a determined struggle against the Moors. Beginning in the Christian tenth century, the rebellion spread slowly southward, until only one Moorish kingdom remained, Granada, nestled within the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The various ruling houses of Christian Spain employed capricious strategies against this last bastion of Islam in the peninsula.

  The Hud Dynasty

  At the dawn of the thirteenth century, others vied for control of Andalusia before the rise of the Nasrids. The Hud family, which originated in northern Spain, controlled the southeastern portion of the country from the 1100’s onward. In AD 1228, an alliance between the Nasrids and the Ashqilula threatened Hud control over the region. With their new allies, the Nasrids encroached on the domain of their enemies, and aided the Castilian Kings in wresting control of the last significant Hud stronghold at Seville.

  The Ashqilula Family

  The Ashqilula family formed an alliance with the Nasrids against their mutual enemy, the Hud, but that allegiance lasted nearly thirty years. The two families had inter-married for several generations, until Sultan Muhammad I married his granddaughter Princess Fatima to her cousin Prince Abu Said Faraj, orphaned son of the Sultan’s brother Ismail. The Nasrids and Ashqilula warred over the balance of power for the next decade.

  The Nasrid Dynasty

  The Nasrid family allegedly arrived in the peninsula during the early stages of the establishment of Moorish rule. They claimed descent from Sa’d ibn Ubadah, a chieftain of the Khazraj tribe in Arabia, a contemporary of the Prophet Muhammad. Ibn Ubadah’s descendants settled in the Arjuno region and served in the army of the Umayyad Caliphate, distinguishing themselves in their military leadership as officers and generals.

  Sultan Muhammad I

  The first ruler of the Nasrid Dynasty was Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Nasr ibn al-Ahmar and his people hailed him as Muhammad, “victorious through God” (al-Ghalib bi-llah). Sultan Muhammad I was born in Arjuno, part of the Andalusian province of Jaen during the Muslim year 587 AH, equivalent to AD 1191. He was a son of Yusuf ibn Nasr ibn al-Ahmar and his wife, Fatima. Muhammad’s brothers included Ismail, Yusuf, and Faraj.

  At the time of Muhammad’s birth, the territory of Islamic Spain encompassed the lower half of the peninsula. A loose confederation of emirates, known as the Tai’fa states, had evolved after the collapse of the Almohade Empire. Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Yusuf of Hud controlled the province of Gharnatah.

  Muhammad became governor of his home region of Arjuno (628 AH or AD 1231). Later, Muhammad revolted against Abu Abdallah Muhammad of Hud and began his quest for political dominance in al-Andalus, beginning with his base in Arjuno (27 Ramadan 629 AH or July 16, AD 1232). He extended his influence only as far as Cordoba after its political and spiritual leaders rejected his claim.

  Focusing on other areas under Muslim control, Muhammad soon conquered the following principal cities: Guadix (630 AH or AD 1232), Granada (634 AH or AD 1237), Almeria (635 AH or AD 1238), and Malaga (637 AH or AD 1239). With the aid of his allies among the family of Ashqilula, other Islamic leaders in the provinces recognized Muhammad as ruler. Muhammad maintained his expanding territory by ceding nominal control to Ashqilula governors and members of his own family. He appointed his brother Ismail as the governor of Malaga. Ismail retained that post until his death (655 AH or AD 1257). However, early attacks on Muhammad’s power base eroded his jurisdiction over portions of Andalusia. Christian armies reclaimed the following territories: Murcia (642-643 AH or AD 1243-1244), Arjuno (643 AH or AD 1244) and Jaen (644 AH or AD 1245).

  Muhammad began construction on his palace in Granada, over the foundations of an Islamic fort from the Zirid period in Spain (635 AH or AD 1238). It would become one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the West, the Alhambra or “the red fortress” named for its red, brick walls.

  At various periods throughout the majority of his reign, Muhammad paid tribute to the kings of Castile (Castilla-Leon), who considered the Nasrid kingdom a vassal state (beginning in 645 AH or AD 1246). The estimated tribute was forty thousand dinars or gold coins. Although Muhammad submitted to the Castilian demand for aid, particularly in the conquest of Muslim Seville (Ramadan 646 AH or December AD 1248), he did not always accept the terms of vassalage. The initial period of vassalage only lasted approximately 20 years. Muhammad began openly inciting or aiding the Mudejar populations of the Jerez and Murcia regions to revolt against Castile’s rule (beginning 662 AH or AD 1264).

  After his brother Ismail’s death, Muhammad gave dominion over Malaga to Abu Muhammad of Ashqilula, who was also his nephew by marriage. Muhammad raised his orphaned nephews Abu Said Faraj and Muhammad, sons of the former governor Ismail, at the Alhambra. Muhammad had at least four sons of his own: Nasr, Yusuf, Faraj, and Muhammad. The latter would reign as the Sultan Muhammad II, born Abu Abdallah Muhammad.

  The first Sultan died after he accidentally fell from his horse while raiding the frontier town of Martos (1 Rajab 671 AH or January 22, AD 1273). Muhammad I was approximately 78 years old at his death.

  Sultan Muhammad II

  The second Nasrid Sultan, Muhammad II was born in the Arjuno region shortly after his father declared his suzerainty (634 AH or AD 1237). His people called Muhammad II al-Fakih, “the jurist” or “Lawgiver” for his swift justice. During his reign, he added to his father’s work at the Alhambra. Feuds with the Castilians, the Marinid rulers of Morocco, and an enduring civil war wit
h the Ashqilula plagued his reign. His young cousin, Abu Said Faraj ibn Ismail, became a trusted and loyal advisor. Abu Said Faraj also married the Sultana Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad II (664 AH or AD 1265).

  Muhammad II accomplished the overthrow and exile of the Ashqilula. Under pressure from the Sultan and his allies, the majority of the Ashqilula clan fled to Morocco (678 AH or AD 1279). The date is not fixed; some historical records indicate the exile occurred ten years later. The earlier date seems correct, given that the Ashqilula fought on the losing side with the Castilians against the Nasrids in two subsequent battles (11 Muharram 679 AH or May 12, AD 1280 and 2 Muharram 680 AH or April 22, AD 1281). It seems unlikely that the Nasrids would have tolerated their presence in Spain after these defeats. Muhammad II claimed the city of Malaga and installed his cousin and son-in-law, Abu Said Faraj as the new governor (677 AH or AD 1278).

  I chose to end this novel at the moment of the Ashqilula defeat and the rise of Abu Said Faraj as the governor of his birthplace, because it was a pivotal moment for the historical figures. The latter half of Fatima and Faraj’s adventures continues in Sultana’s Legacy, the sequel to Sultana.

  Thank you for purchasing and reading this book. I hope you found the period and characters fascinating. Please consider leaving feedback where you purchased this book. Your opinion is helpful, both to me and to other potential readers.

  If you would like to learn more about the Alhambra and Moorish Spain during the Nasrid period, visit Alhambra.org. You may also email me at lyarde1175@gmail.com. I love to hear from readers.

  Islamic Regions and Modern Equivalents

  Al-Bayazin Albaicin

  Al-Hamma Alhama de Granada

  Al-Jaza’ir Algiers

  Al-Jazirah al-Khadra Algeciras

  Al-Jazirat al-Andalus Spain

  Al-Maghrib Northern Africa

  Al-Maghrib el-Aska Morocco

  Al-Mariyah Almeria

  Al-Qal’at ibn Zaide Alcala la Real

  Arsiduna Archidona

  Aryuna Arjuno

  Fés el-Bali Fez

  Gharnatah Granada

  Ishbiliya Seville

  Jabal Tarik Gibraltar

  Jumhuriyat Misr Egypt

  Lawsa Loja

  Madinah Antaqirah Antequera

  Makkah Mecca

  Malaka Malaga

  Mayurqa Majorca

  Munakkab Almunecar

  Naricha Nerja

  Qumarich Comares

  Tarif Tarifa

  Wadi-Ash Guadix

  Glossary

  -A-

  · Abu: father of

  · Al-Andalus: the southern half of Spain

  · Al-Ghuzat: the Volunteers of the Faith, the Moroccan soldiers billeted in Granada

  · Al-Hisn: fortress

  · Al-Jabal Faro: Gibralfaro citadel, which protected Malaga

  · Al-Laylat al-henna: traditional henna night for brides, where their guests gather to feast and decorate their bodies with henna

  · Al-Murabitun: the Almoravid Empire, which ruled North Africa and southern Spain, AD 1062 - 1150

  · Al-Muwahhidun: the Almohade Empire, which ruled North Africa and southern Spain, AD 1145-1269

  · Al-Qal’at al-Hamra: the Alhambra, a complex of palaces, residences, shops, mosques, etc. that served as the royal residence in Granada. Captured in AD 1237 by Sultan Muhammad I, each of his successors made improvements, especially Muhammad III, Isma`il I, Yusuf I, Muhammad V and Yusuf III

  · Al-Quasaba: the citadel within the royal residence in Granada

  · Al-Qur’an: Muslim holy book

  · Al-Shaykh al-Ghuzat: commander of the Volunteers of the Faith

  · Amin: Amen

  · Ashqilula: one time allies of the Nasrids until AD 1266, known as the Escayola among Christian states

  -B-

  · Bint: daughter of

  -C-

  · Cortes: the rudimentary Castilian parliament

  -D-

  · Dinar: coin bearing a religious verse, commonly made of gold or silver, or rarely, copper. They were minted in Granada with the Sultans’ motto, “none victorious but God” and could be round or square shaped. Gold dinars weighed 2 grams, contained 22 carats of gold and were widely used for internal and external trade. Their value fluctuated over the centuries. Silver dinars were square and had a fixed value. Copper dinars were used for internal trade in the Sultanate and had a fixed value

  · Dirham: coin bearing a religious verse, commonly made of silver or other base metal. In Granada, they were minted with the Sultans’ motto, “none victorious but God” and weighed 2-3 grams

  · Diwan al-Insha: the Sultan’s chancery of state

  -E-

  · Eid mubarak: traditional greeting celebrating the end of Ramadan

  -H-

  · Hadarro: modern-day river Darro that flows through Granada

  · Hajib: Prime Minister

  · Hammam: bath house

  · Harrira: a Moroccan soup of mutton, couscous and spices

  · Hijab: a veil

  · Houri: virgins in Paradise

  · Hud: enemies of the Nasrids

  -I-

  · Ibn: son of

  -J-

  · Jahannam: Hell

  · Jarya: concubine, plural jawari

  · Jihad: the struggle; to personally maintain the Islamic faith, to improve Islamic society and to defend Islam and an Islamic way of life against its enemies

  · Jubba: floor-length robe with wide sleeves, opening at the neck, worn by both sexes of the nobility

  -K-

  · Kaaba: the most sacred site of the Islamic religion in Mecca, which Muslims circumnavigate during pilgrimage

  · Kadin: favored concubine, who has also had children for her master

  · Kasatan: wooden, bowl-shaped percussion instruments

  · Khamsa: the Hand of Fatima, an amulet in the shape of a hand, meant to convey patience, abundance, and faithfulness to the wearer, attributed to the daughter of Prophet Muhammad

  · Khanjar: dagger

  · Khassa: collective Moorish nobility

  · Khil’a: ceremonial floor-length robe with wide sleeves, opening at the neck, decorated with tiraz bands, worn by courtiers on special occasions

  · Kohl: black eyeliner

  -M-

  · Madina: a city

  · Madrasa: school of higher education

  · Maravedies: Castilian gold coinage, originating with the Islamic conquest. When the Castilians incorporated the coinage in their use, it eventually fell in value from silver to copper coinage. The Castilian government stopped issuing maravedies in the 1850’s when the Spanish currency changed to the decimal system

  · Marinids: rulers of modern day Morocco AD 1248-1548

  · Mashwar: the council chambers of the Sultan’s chancery

  -N-

  · Nasrids: rulers of Granada AD 1232-1492

  · Nauar: a Gypsy

  -P-

  · Purdah: room divider or screen

  -Q-

  · Qamis: long shirt of white cotton or linen, worn as an undergarment by both sexes, in all social classes

  · Qaysariyya: the central marketplace in Granada

  · Qiblah: the wall of a mosque facing the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia

  -R-

  · Raïs: provincial governor

  · Rawda: cemetery

  -S-

  · Sabika: the hill where the Alhambra was built

  · Salat al-Asr: third prayer time, obligatory at afternoon

  · Salat al-Fajr: first prayer time, obligatory at sunrise

  · Salat al-Isha: fifth prayer time, obligatory at nighttime

  · Salat al-Maghrib: fourth prayer time, obligatory after sunset

  · Salat al-Zuhr: second prayer time, obligatory at noon

  · Shashiya: skullcap

  -T-

  · ‘Tharid: dish of crumbled pieces of bread served in a meat or vegetable broth

  · Tiraz: richly broc
aded bands of cloth decorating the upper sleeves of a ceremonial garment, often bearing symbols, geometric motifs or script

  -U-

  · Ummi: my mother

  -W-

  · Wadi al-Kabir: modern-day Guadalquivir River that flows through Seville

  · Wadi Fes: modern-day river that flows through Fez

  · Wudu: partial ablution

  -X-

  · Xenil: modern-day Genil River

  -Z-

  · Zaggats: brass, finger cymbals

  About the Author

  Lisa J. Yarde writes fiction inspired by history. She is the author of On Falcon’s Wings, a medieval novel chronicling the star-crossed romance between Norman and Saxon lovers. She has also written the medieval novels, Sultana and Sultana’s Legacy, both set during a turbulent period of thirteenth century Spain. Born in Barbados, she currently lives in New York City.

  Lisa is also an avid blogger and a regular contributor at Unusual Historicals and the Historical Novel Reviews. Her personal blog is The Brooklyn Scribbler.

  You can find more information about Lisa and her writing on the website www.lisajyarde.com. Discover bonus content on the website, including maps, genealogy tables, and photos of the Alhambra.

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