- ARCHIVE - Royal Court of Nubia

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After having enjoyed the hospitality of their Nubian host the embassy continue their journey through the exotic land. Some had visited Zanzibar and the trading posts on the southeastern cost of Africa. Others had never seen anything like it and made big eyes at the strange sights they saw.

The Nubian guides, armed with ivory tipped spears, take the Omani over the plains and by flood boat up the Nile. Some days later they stand before and old fortress, a mixture of Egyptian and Greek design, the royal palace of Nubia.

After some waiting Sheikh Ghazi bin Said is allowed audience before the king.
He bows deep before the throne and begins in Arabic.

“Most gracious King, I greet you with God’s peace. May you live for a hundred years. The Imam have heard of your uniting of Nubia and wishes me to give your highness his congratulations. I’m also here to discuss trade possibilities with your lands.”

Sheikh Ghazi pauses not quite sure if the King had understand.

 

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Zakarya, the representative for the Mamelukes, enters.

“King of Nubia,

It pleased our Imam that you where willing to grant his request. He is already setting up a smaller delegation to bring the words of Allah to the people of Batn AL Hajar, so you can expect it reach your borders in a few days now.”

 

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Several men walk in. They appear in a foriegn dress unkown to the Nubians.

"Greetings King Solomon I of Nubia,

I am sure you are wondering how I got here and who I am. So let me begin. I am Qunidi Pergullini and I come from a nation called Genoa in Europe.

These people next to me are Genoan merchants, the best in the world. We Genoans trade heavily with the Mamalukes, including the sole rights to import Indian goods from Egypt west of Sicily.

Egypt is how we learned of this isolated kingdom. Who is Christian like ourselves. My leader, the Doge then got permission from the Sultan of the Mamalukes to send a delegation here to meet you and see what this kindgom is like.

Before I came I and the merchants beside me tried to learn of your kingdom from locals in Egypt. We could not learn much except that your army does not posses the quality of Europes of the muslims, however we were able to learn of your demands and supplies.

I hope that if you accept my party to stay here, I could draw up a favorable treaty to introduce these items you lack in return for the trade from Nubia.

My lands desire Indian goods and Ivory. While we can supply you with books, weapons, and wine. But before anything like that is concluded I must first come to understand this country. Plus I was told not to make any deals with you until your relationship with the Sultan of Egypt was made clear to him.

Im sorry if my presense here was a shock. But I have brought maps if you wish me to show you from were I come. And here is a taste of our wine. Oh and I have brought some books and I happen to have some fine steal weapons as a gift from my leader, Doge John II."

With that the merchants standing next to the Genoan ambassador present the gifts to the King.

 

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King Solomon taps his fingers against the armrest of his throne while the Omani delegation makes its intentions known to the royal court. He stands from his throne and steps over to the head of the Omani delegates. Speaking finally in arabic he replies:

"Many months have passed since I last heard the words of an Omani. Always before the words of the master. Now come the words of a friend. That is very good."

Smiling, he continues.

"I have several concerns that must be addressed before I can allow any large scale Omani operations in my ports. First and foremost:

Omani pirates plague the red sea. This is not your fault of course but perhaps his excellency the Imam could spare a squad of ships to patrol the waters off our coast? My navy is completely inadequate to deal with the advanced Omani ships.

These very pirates I speak of regularly kidnap and enslave my christian people. My armies have managed to kill many slavers in the past years however more direct action is needed. As long as this practice continues I fear our relations will suffer a considerable strain.

As you know, the Kingdom of Nubia does engage in slavery. However as a rule those Nubians who profess to either Christianity or Islam are immune. Only the pagan tribes in our southernmost frontier at times people taken from the Somali coasts have been enslaved in my name. But Nubian christians are being taken from fishing villages all along my coast by both Yemenis and Omanis. I must demand and request we work together to stop this practice immediately.

When these are accomplished, more permanent and beneficial agreements may work out. But you have come before me in good faith, and you shall depart my company with such."

Turning to one of his court helpers:

"Send a message out to all portmasters in all provinces. Any vessel flying the flag of Oman and the Imam are to be charged only a 50 percent tarrif. Watch for slavers. We will be assigning warriors to each major port to search ships we believe are slave ships."

Turning back to the Omanis.:

"Is all this acceptable to you, friends?"

 

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Solomon leaps to his feet excitedly. Addressing the Genoans in a strange but understandable dialect of greek.

"Never in all my years! No where have I traveled have I seen man as pale as you! This is truly a remarkable day!

You said you were Christian? Are you from the Church of Constantinople then?"

Solomon reaches under his gown and pulls a small orthodox cross carved from ivory.

"You must show me your maps and tell me more about this Genoa. My army is quite humble but so far we have managed to keep the muslims out for the most part. Yet, with so many sultanates and caliphates around us, I fear we may not hold out for quite longer.

Our ivory is of quite high quality and has fetched impossibly high prices in India according to some Gujarati men who visited here years ago.

What is a Doge? John. That is a most christian name. Stay here with me a week, my friends. There is much I wish to learn. Tonight dine with me and I shall introduce you to Nubian cuisine."

Turning to the Egyptian Zakarya

"I would ask that you join us as well. The relationship between my kingdom and the Sultan indeeds requires furthur definition."

Solomon claps his hands together, and a small group of Nubian men enter the chambers.

"Servants, see these men to their room and in four hours take them to the dining hall. See to any of their needs."

Turning to the leader of the Genoans.

"Come with me to my chambers please. There are some matters I wish to discuss with you."

 

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Sheikh Ghazi looks maybe just a little shocked by the Kings reply.

“Ah your Highness, you meant half of the current tariffs and not 50% tariffs I am sure.
And I must inform you that Omani vessels are considered Oman territory and are subject to Sharia. Nubian soldiers have nothing to do onboard.”

He calms down a bit.

“Although I’m unaware of any pirate activity I have a suggestion that could eliminate the problem. We have not considered any “large scale operations” in your port. We of the merchants’ guild would like to construct our own havens subjected, of course, to Sharia. The usage of any other port would be prohibited. All ships illegally transporting to and from Nubia will be confiscated. This way only legal slave trade will persist.”

His eyes and voice turn colder.

“Although I hope that none of the Imams subjects in Somalia are mistakenly taken to become slaves. I’m sure his Holiness would become most upset if he heard that the faithful where being used as slaves.”

“I hope you will consider the great possibilities of the trade. We could supply you with quite large amounts of most things you could need.”

His eyes fall upon a guards ivory tipped weapon and he smiles coldly when he continues.

“Your weapons for instance. Our warriors have swords of damask steel, finest Indian quality. I’m sure your ivory weapons would be no match for those.”

"Is all this acceptable to you, friend?"

 

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A group of Egyptian Mullahs, confessing to the Shiite branch of Islam, and their armed escort cross the border to Batn Al Hajar. They bring gifts to the people who lives there and preaches the word of Allah. Apparently they have the King of Nubias permision as they show a royal decre, signed by the Nubian King, for the border guards.

 

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Zakarya enters the Court and asks for a private audience with the King.

 

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Solomon waves Zakarya away angrily. Standing and turning to the captain of his royal bodyguards he thunders:

"Captain. I don't want this slime in my sight again. Have him taken to the border and sent on his way. He is banished from Nubia. Have my ambassador to Cairo recalled. Break all contact with the Sultanate.

On this day, the Sultan not only breaks an age old treaty with my Kingdom, but threatens the integrity and christianity of my realm and her peoples.

Such hostile actions against my kingdom will not be tolerated by me, nor should it be considered any less than the gravest insult to our peoples and our culture.

Zakarya, tell your Sultan he does not dictate terms to me. We may not be able to destroy you, but enter my realms with the eyes of the conqueror and I shall bloody thy lips beyond comprehension.

Your mullahs may continue their work in the north. Unlike your Sultan, I am a man of my word and make no malicious action towards you.

Go now, and do not return."

 

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Discovery By The Hedjaz

A naval force patrolling the red sea stumbled across Nubia, they had always belived Nubia was little more than Mud huts and ruins from the hayday of Eygptions, Captain `Alî Beg was to begin the dipolmatic wheels turning, he began to speak
"It is always nice to meet our neighbors, we hope our negotiations can be peaceful a profitable to both parties. First we would like to say, we want your gold and jewles! Fear not we can offer much in return clothese for example."
The Captain hand the king a robe made in Medina of only the finest material.

 

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Zakarya pack his things togheter and heads for the border.

"It is a sorrow you take it this way, but know this, the Sultan still wishes to see a peacefull solution rather than a violent one."

Zakarya leaves the Court.

 

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In Cairo, the Grand Vizier turns to Abdullah Mulak, the former ambassador from Nubia.

"Your stay here was short, never the less we hope you enjoyd it. Tell your king that the Sultan still hopes for peace, but he feels that your King makes little to promote it. Yet it have only been the Mamelukes who has tryed to established stabil relations by bringing proposals. The Sultan will gladly look into any proposal from Nubia, so that the relations may be settled."

 

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In Cairo,

“He send Zakarya out from Nubia and called his own ambassador home” The Grand Vizier said to the Sultan. “Yes, it is hardly the way to deal peacefully with our common problems” The Sultan replied. “What do we do now” The Grand Vizer asked. “I will try once again, to reason with him. I will write him a letter. Allah knows that I rather wish to have the Nubians as allies than enemies. There can still be peace... it must be...Insha Allah”

 

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A letter arrives from the North.

“Noble Solomon, King of Nubia.

It was sad news to me that you drove our ambassador out from your lands, and that you called for your in Cairo. Even sader have all your rejections to all our proposals been. Still we awaits an constructive proposal from you here, in Cairo. It is well known that the Mamelukes look upon Nubia with great suspicion. A Nubia that isnt with us, can be against us in the future. Look upon the fate of the nation they call the Golden Horde. Maybe you havent heard of it, but I can inform you that in its weak moment, its opponents flocked against it to feast. I will not have that fate upon the Mamelukes.

Swear loaylty to the Sultanate of the Mamelukes, pay 1000 gold in tribute regurlary and pledge to help the Mamelukes in case of an assault upon us. For this you will be free to send diplomats and merchants through Egypt. Even to set up a trade station in Alexandria, so that you may contact other nations in order to make trade agreements. You would also be granted Right of Passage through our lands. Accepting this would also mean that you no longer had to fear an aussault from the Mamelukes. Instead, the Mamelukes would be the first ones to defend your nation. These conditions would also mean that the Sultanate would no longer have to fear warmongering from the Nubians, when a break of vassalage would have serius effects upon your nation. The Nubians dont have to fear an attack from the Mamelukes, as it would have serius effects upon my nation, as your overlord. It would also mean that Nubians and Mamelukes could co-operate togheter to reach common goals. Rejecting this offer, or refusal of even sending a serius counter offer, will mean that the Sultanate will take proper actions in order to secure the stability.

Signed

Yusuf al-Zahiri, Sultan of the Mamelukes.

 

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Solomon seems uneasy. Readdressing the Omanis, he speaks.

"Of course I meant 50% the usual tarrifs I charge. A system I devised from studying Omani ports when I was younger."

Regaining his composure, he leans forward in his throne and smiles.

"Your suggestions to curb slavery are acceptable. I will grant permission for you to build stations and inspect your own ships. As for the somali slave trade, we do not take moslems. Only members of pagan tribes are taken by our ships by penalty of death. They are then sold and eventually become devout christians or moslems. Truly, we are doing the work of Allah. Wouldn't you agree?

Please inform the Imam I would have both a man of religion and a man of politics from Oman in my court. I feel strongly that Oman's position can greatly faciliate our kingdoms imports from India. May our countries live in peace and grow rich, supplying the needs of the other..

Go in peace friends. May Allah bless and take you safely back to Muscate."

 

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Solomon closes his eyes and rests upon his throne a moment. His fingers tip nervously against the armrest. After nearly an hour he reaches into his robes and pulls out a small bound parchment. He snaps his fingers and gives it to one of his servants, with very clear orders of where it is to be taken.

 

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Knesset arrives in the Nubian court and relives the captain of his duties and let him return to his ship Knesset adressed Soloman,
"What do you want great king for your country, we in the Hedjaz wish to know so we can attempt to bring these realizations true."

 

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A letter arrives.


“King Solomon I of Alwah,

Finaly it seems like the Nubian King is willing to join me in my efforts to solve our common problems. I to belive that a renegotiation of our relationship is needed. As I have stated many times before, the Sultanates needs something to protect her from future Nubian agression. Your rejection of join me in finding a solution have nearly brought us into war. Let us find a peaceful way to solve this, so that our nations may co-operate together instead of agitate against eitchothers. My patience does how ever have an end. Let us solve this issue quikly so that our people may rejoice instead of bleeding on the battlefield. Now, tell me what in the Sultanates proposals you dont find acceptable and wich ones you accept, so we may stabilise our relations before it is to late.

Signed

Yusuf al-Zahiri, Sultan of the Mamelukes.”

 

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A letter arrives.

“Noble King of Alwah,

It is very plesing that you have agreed in peaceful co-operation with the Sultanate. We favour your proposal but never the less we did some smaller adjustments, but nothing that changed the basic. Now let us sign this and begin a new great era of mutual trust, understanding and co-operation.

Signed by

Yusuf al-Zahiri, Sultan of the Mamelukes.”


In the letter was also the slighlty adjusted proposal inserted.



Treayt of Soba-Cairo, 1427


* Nubia will pay a symbolic annual tribute of slaves to the Sultan of the Mamelukes, to be delivered the first month in each year.
* The Mamelukes will send grain to Nubia as a friendly annual gift. The grain should arrive the first month in each year.
*The Nubian navy will transport Mameluke soldiers whenever required.
* Nubia will do no business or sign trade agreements with any nation at war with the Sultan of the Mamelukes.
* Should the Mameluke Sultan ask, Nubia will give as much economic support to the Sultan as feasibly possible.
* The Prince of Dongola remains a vassal to the King of Alwah in temporal matters but is a vassal to the Sultan in religious matters.
* Shiite Mullahs will be granted access to Batn al Hajar and Nubia provinces and to preach and promote the faith of Shiites.
* The Mamelukes will be granted military access through Nubia should they ever have need to pass through the lands of the King.
* Egyptian merchants will pay no taxes or tarrifs in Nubia

*The Sultan promises to never threaten the independence of Nubia or demand her territory, unless any of the other agreements of this charter is broken by Nubia.
* Nubia promises to never threaten the independence of the Mameluke sultanate or demand her territory, unless any of the other agreements of this charter is broken by the Mamelukes.
* The orthodox-christian faith in Nubia is secured and recognized by the Sultan.
* All imports to Nubia must pass through Egypt and be approved by the Sultan. They shall also be subject to taxation by the Sultanate of the Mamelukes.
* The main christian church of Dongola shall be converted to a Shiite mosque.
* If ever the Nubian king dies heirless, the Sultan of Cairo has the right to select the new king from the Nubian royal family.

 

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Knesset adressed King Soloman politely,
"It is good that you have chosen a peaceful route as opposed to war and bloodshed, we wish to propose a trade agreement or the Populas agreement. With your plans of peace these should be of great help"

The Populas Agreement
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Section I- A yearly ammount of human cargo of at least shall be sent to Jordan, and Arabia.
Section II- For every human heads to enter these lands, a luxery item will be sent to Nubia for example clothes, jewlry and rugs
Section III- Jo'Var and C`Anol will be new cities founded by these citizens to live in.
Section VI- The Nubian Exploration Army, will be founded a force to discover new trade and slave options in lands of Africa. NEA will act under the commands of King Soloman unless exterme actions are taken. The army will be finaced to the size of roughly 250 heads.
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