- ARCHIVE - Sultanate Court of the Mamelukes

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Sultanate Court of the Mamelukes

Mamelukes
General Information
HoS-Barsbay

Past HoS's-
BAHRI LINE

1250, 1252-1257
Aybak al Turkumani First of the (usually) Turkish Bahris.
1257 - 1259
Ali I
1259 - 1260
Qutuz al Muizzi
1260 - 1277
Baybars I al Bunduqdari
1260
Defeats Mongols.
1277 - 1279
Baraka / Berke Khan
1279
Salamish / Suleymish
1279 - 1290
Qalawun al Alfi
1290 - 1293
Khalîl
1291
Fall of Acre. End of Outremer.
1293
Baydara(?)
1293 - 1294
Muhammad I
1294 - 1296
Kitbugha
1296 - 1299
Lachin / Lajin al Ashqar
1299 - 1309
Muhammad I Restored?
1309 - 1310
Baybars II al Jashnakir (Burji)
1310 - 1341
Muhammad I Restored?
1341
Abu Bakr
1341 - 1342
Kujuk / Kuchuk
1342
Ahmad I
1342 - 1345
Ismail
1345 - 1346
Shaban I
1346 - 1347
Hajji I
1347 - 1351
al Hasan
1351 - 1354
Salih
1354 - 1361
al Hasan
1361 - 1363
Muhammad II
1363 - 1377
Shaban II
1377 - 1382
Ali II
1382, 1389-1390
Hajji II


BURJI LINE

1382-1388
1390-1399
Barquq al Yalburghawi First of the (usually) Circassian Burjis.
1399 - 1405
Faraj
1405
Abd al Aziz
1405 - 1412
Faraj
1412
al Mustain Assumed Caliphate of Egypt 1406 - 1414.
1412 - 1421
Shaykh al Mahmudi (al Zahiri)
1421
Ahmad II
1421
Tatar
1421 - 1422
Muhammad III
1422 - ? Barsbay

Shagar Al Durr concealed her husband's death for three months until his son returned from Mesopotamia to assume power. But he proved unpopular, so Shagar Al Durr conspired to murder him then proclaimed herself Queen. Social pressure forced her to marry and she became the second wife of Aybek, leader of the Mamelukes - a group of freed military slaves. Aybek soon tired of this scheming woman and planned another marriage. On hearing this, Shagar Al Durr murdered him in a fit of jealous pique. Aybek's first wife retaliated by having the murderess beaten to death with wooden bath clogs. Her body was thrown to the dogs from the walls of the Citadel. To this day her name is synonymous with political intrigue.

Aybek's family seized power and so the Mamelukes began their violent rule. Many of the personalities from this period formed the basis for characters in the Thousand and One Nights stories which are still told today. The line of succession was not heriditary and sultans generally lasted no more than five years before meeting a grisly death at the hands of a rival. the feuding sultans fought for power in the streets of Cairo and the gates of Khan Al Khalili often had to be locked and chained for as much as a week at a time while battles raged outside. Corruption ran rife and justice was awarded to the highest bidder.

Despite this continual feuding among the Mameluke factions, trade and the arts flourished and Cairo boasted a sophisticated culture. Moslem pilgrims journeying to Mecca from North Africa unloaded their carpets, gold and dates and the city grew rich from their trade. Cairo was the centre of a vast commercial empire which stretched from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. These Sultans who lived such violent lives endowed, mosques, schools and hospitals by the score, and it was under the Mamelukes that Cairo grew into the largest city in Africa.

The Mamelukes, a military, landholding aristocracy, long figured prominently in Middle Eastern history. They were originally recruited from non-Arab slaves imported to serve various traditional Muslim rulers as soldiers and officials. Typically, the erstwhile slaves assumed power themselves in time and continued to replenish their ranks by importing more military slaves. Between the 13th and 19th centuries Mameluke regimes appeared throughout the Muslim world, including India, Iraq, and most notably Egypt. Until 1382 the dominant Mamelukes were mostly of Turkish ethnic origin; after that date, the majority was generally of Circassian origin.

The Egyptian Mamelukes emerged to prominence in 1250 when they overthrew the Ayyubid dynasty and inaugurated a line of more than 50 independent sultans. These sultans presided over an unruly but culturally brilliant era . From their capital in Cairo they ruled parts of Syria, Arabia, Libya, and Sudan. An awesome cavalry force when united, the Mamelukes checked the Mongol invasions of Syria, defeated the Crusaders, and suppressed the Assassins. When no outside threats loomed, however, they divided into quarreling factions that seldom cooperated. Most of the sultans had short reigns ending in violence.

Mamelukes, purchased slaves converted to Islam who advanced themselves to high military posts in Egypt. From this class sprang two ruling dynasties, the Bahri , made up of Turks and Mongols, and the Burji , made up of Circassians; both were named for places where the troops who seized power had been quartered. The founding of the Bahri dynasty in 1250 began a succession that brought territorial gains and great prosperity to Egypt.

After 1341 the power of the Bahri sultan passed gradually to troop commanders, and by 1381 the first Burji ruler was able to take over the throne.

 

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A man enters the court, bows before the Sultan and begins to speak.

"Greetings Great Sultan,

I am Omar Valerio, the Genovese ambassador to all african muslim countries. Although relations between Genoa and the Mamelukes have been outright hostile, we would like to change that. I will discuss specifics later, but right now, I will give you a base plan. I would like to sign a trading pact with you, giving our two countries more control of the spice trade and increasing our profits. I would also like to ensure that you continue to allow missionaries into your borders, to prevent any christian countries from warring with you. As I said, I will discuss specifics with you, but now I must go to my residence in Lebanon, to discuss matters with the governor of Syria, the Doge's brother."

Omar bows once again to the Sultan and exits the court.

 

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A man enters the court, bows and hands over a message.

Dear Ahmed Shaikh of the great Mamelukes

I, Charles Angevin of Jerusalem are making proposals to all nearby moslem countries to join me in an alliance against the crusaders that threathen the holy land. I know that the Kingdom of Jerusalem being a crusader state itself and once belonging to your empire, but i am willing to give up my vassalisation to my sister, Queen Giovanna II of Naples and surrender a temporary sovereignity to you if you consider joining my alliance. Also i will raise mosques in honour to those moslems willing to fight with me against the crusade.

Charles Angevin - King of Jerusalem and defender of the United Church

 

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Omar reenters the court, bows before the Sultan and begins to speak.

"Noble Sultan,

My apologies for my absence. I have been trying to work out the conditions of the Trade Agreement, but I have received no response from my liege until now. Apparently, he is very busy with his travels, but, at last, I have the treaty and we can begin to discuss it.

I have discussed this with the Doge's brother as well as the merchants and we have decided on these terms.

Mediterranean Spice Agreement

The Sultanate of the Mamelukes shall control all of the spice flowing from the Red Sea. All caravans in the Arabian lands shall be diverted to travel solely through the Red Sea and Egypt.

Genoa shall be the sole transporter of the spices from Alexandria and the rest of Egypt.

A set price shall be decided by the Sultanate and the Genovese.

Should Genoa or the Sultanate come under attack by any other Mediterranean country, the other member of this agreement shall come to her aid, if asked.

This Agreement will become void should either party go to war with another.

_______________________________________

These are the terms, if you wish to change any, please inform me and I will do what I can."

Omar then awaits the Sultan's response.

 

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A response arrives from Tunis:

"Heathen,

You will have your answer on the edge of my sabre.

Burn in hell, shiite.

Abdul Raman Al Aziz,
The Dragon of the Desert, the Lion in the West,
Emir Of Tunis and Tripoli"

Zoupa

 

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Omar enters the court, bows before the Sultan and begins to speak.

"Your Majesty,

I have been sent here on a different assignment today. I have heard news about your impending war against the Tunisians. This will be frowned on greatly by my Doge, as the Tunisians are very tolerant towards christians. This could also lead to massive waves in the Sunni world. Your entire population is Sunni and they may revolt. Also, since you trade with Sunni Muslims, this will disrupt the trade, which will affect Genoa. This is something Genoa will not accept and we will intervene if the trade stops flowing. I ask that you reconsider your actions, so as not to destroy the delicate healing process between us."

 

[driftwood]

A missive is sent by way of a Venetian trading vessel bound for Alexandria. It carries a message from Yunus Emre of Karaman, scribed from the Devout Conclave in Konya.

Heathen fool!

Is it not enough that you blaspheme against the Revealed Word of Allah throughout the day each and every time you make a mockery of true Muslim prayers? Is it not enough that we must hear your perfidious claims to possess the hidden Mahdi, if only so that we might better refute them? Is it not enough to see lands of the Caliphate since the 7th century fall into the control of the infidel due to your own incompetence and the wrath of Allah you call down upon yourselves?

But now, to actually declare war upon an orthodox and devout nation like Tunis, at a moment when the Greeks and their mercenary allies are sorely pressing Muslims throughout the world! Even Satan himself would recoil from such actions.

I would rather see all my sons for a thousand generations dead and all my daughters for ten thousand generations sold as whores to the Christians than to suffer the existence of your universally-offending "sultanate" another moment.

Until such time as the armies of Islam can be brought to bear against you, consider all relations and trade with Karaman to be severed.

Yunus Emre, devout Muslim

 

[LUDWIG]

A senior general enters the throneroom his face filed with doubt and shame.
"Your Excellency the soldiers are starting to worry about our call to war. Many feel we have not upheld the honour of our ancestors and have mocked the very traditions we have practised for generations.
I urge you Excellency to re-think our warplans as the troops believe we could be acting most shamefully. Already several hundred deserters have had to be killed for deserting, we fear many more wil follow themif we do not rethink our strategy. Please Excellency consider our options once more and ensure that we keep our honour."

Tears quietely drip down the scarred warrior's face, the weight of emotions boiling within must be unbearable.

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Due to a poor declaration of war the Mamluk army is hit by a wave of low morale. -2 Morale for 2 years ending 1424.

 

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Omar reenters the court, a big smile on his face.

"Your highness, I am most pleased to hear the news. The coming war between Tunisia and the Mamelukes has ended before it began. My liege has sent me to give you the revised treaty, with your proposed addition. Here it is, signed by my Doge.

Mediterranean Spice Agreement

The Sultanate of the Mamelukes shall control all of the spice flowing from the Red Sea. All caravans in the Arabian lands shall be diverted to travel solely through the Red Sea and Egypt.

Genoa shall be the sole transporter of the spices from Alexandria and the rest of Egypt.

A set price shall be decided by the Sultanate and the Genovese.

Should Genoa or the Sultanate come under attack by any other Mediterranean country, the other member of this agreement shall come to her aid, if asked.

This Agreement will become void should either party go to war with another.

This Agreement may be changed at any time, if agreed to by both parties.

Signed:

 

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A letter arrives from Tunis. It reads:

"Heretic,

We laugh at your alliance proposal, you who just a fortnight ago would have wanted us subjugated. In the future, refrain from issuing threats you cannot make happen, and I might just not come and piss on your grave.

with disdain and pity,
Abdul Raman Al Aziz,
The Lion in the West, the Dragon of the Desert,
Emir of Tunis and Tripoli"

Zoupa

 

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Omar enters the court, bows before the Sultan and begins to speak.

"Your majesty, it has come to my attention that there was some fighting between the border guards at Cyrenaica and the Tunisian army. Although this has come as a shock to you, there is an explanation for it. If the Tunisian Emir sent his army the moment the two of you declared war upon each other, his army would have been in Cyrenaica at about the time when you agreed to a peace, meaning, that his army and your garrison would have had no idea of the peace, and would have engaged in conflict despite the peace. I ask you to reconsider your recent actions to renew the conflict, for no damage was done, and there is still time to prevent your armies from meeting on the field."

 

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A letter arrives from the fields of battle, in the province of Cyrenaica.

"Heathen,

I was riding back to my good city of Tripoli when I learned of your renewed declaration of war. Make up your mind already! Either we meet in battle, or we coexist peacefully, if not in friendly terms.

Know that without further information very soon, my armies will be heading back to Cyrenaica to finish the job we started.

Abdul Raman Al Aziz
Emir of Tunis and Tripoli."

Zoupa

 

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“Greetings Sultan of the Mamelukes,

I have been sent here by my master Abu Abdallah Mohammed III, son of the muslims, prince of the belivers and by the grace of Allah ruler of Algier. He wish me to represent his will in your court. My master has listened to your words about an alliance and he will take it under consideration. How ever... my master feels troubled about the hostility betwen the Mamlukes and the Emirate of Tunis and Tripoli. Until this mather is solved he will under no circumstances join an alliance with the Mamlukes. The Emir of Tunis and Tripoli is my masters most thrusted friend and my master will never make an alliance that could hurt his relationship with the Emirate of Tunis and Tripoli. My master does however feel that there is some questions that could be worth discussing. Like a non-agression-pact or the fight against the infidels.”

 

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An ambassador from Fez enters. His name is Muhammad-el-Berdi.

“Great Sultan of the Mamlukes,

The Sultan of Fez thank you for your invitation. He hopes that my presence here, as representative from Fez, is to your satisfaction. We would be glad if you send an ambassador to our court. The Sultan of Fez is also very honored by your invitation to an alliance. He hasnt however decided yet how to respond to your invitation. He admit that he, for the moment, knows to little about whats going on in the world. Until Fez relize who there true friends are, Fez will stand neutral. However, the Sultanate of Fez wishes for the best relations with the great mamlukes.”

 

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The ambassador from Fez enters.

"Great Sultan of the Mamlukes,

I thank you, in the name of Uthman III sultan of Fez, for sending an ambassador to Fez. Let us hope that this will be the begining of a new peacefull era of friendship and cooperation in our realm of the world."

 

[Guest]

Ambassador of Cyprus

All Hail the Great Sultan of the Memlukes.

Into the throne room enters four Cypriot Knights. They are dressed in their traditional red cloaks, with the large circular shields that are embalzoned with the Lambda of the Order of Laconia.

One of them steps forward, my lord, I am the Cypriot Knight Derkiyldes, the Ambassador to the Memluke Court of Egypt.
It is with Great pleasure that the twin Kings have opened this diplomatic innitative with you.

You are, my lord a great man and lord of a Great Kingdom. It is our belief that closer cooperation between Cyprus and the Memluke Empire can achieve a fundamental stability tothe Middle East.

Cyprus sees that you have many enemies, and Cyprus too is threatened by the apparent exapansion of some Kingdoms.

Cyprus would like to offer you a Treaty that would ensure our mutula self defence. This pact would ensure that if teh Memluke Empire, or the Kingdom of Cyprus is unjustly attacked by potential agressors that the other will give military support.

Furthermore, this will serve as an increase incentive to open lending in offensive wars.

I hope you find our offer compelling, and we offer you this etreasure chest of gold, and jewels to show our good will.

 

[Guest]

Details of the Treaty

The Cypriot Knight Derkiyldes has been reading and re-reading the Treaty that has been sent to him by the Twin Kings. He is not sure if it will be agreed to but he calculates it is worth a shot.

Derkiyldes enjoys Cairo, it is a week away from Faramgusta by ship, making it one of the closest diplomatic posts for the Cypriots. Given the proximity of the two kingdoms an agreement seems fruitful, and there is no need to have bad relations.

Derkiyldes puts on his unifrom the white tunic, red cape, and black sash with the white cross, the new symbol in the Order of Laconias uniforms to symbolize their new found relationship to Cyprus.

After taking a walk across town he comes to the Palace, the mix of Arabic and Egyptian influensces are impressive and each time he sees the gates the seem to show the power of the Memluke Empire.

With Treaty in hand he appreaches the Sultan's Foreign Minister.
After the pleasentrys the two get down to business to go over the final copy of the potential treaty before it is presented.

"Treaty of Mutual Defense between Cyprus and the Memluke Empire.

A) Cyprus (as well as vassals) and the Memluke Empire (hereto referred to as the partners) will agree to the terms of mutual defense in case of extrenal attack.
i) The partners will defend each other militarily
ii) support each other diplomatically
iii) support each other economically.
B) The partners will be a state of non-agression.
i) Freedom of movement between the states
ii) Free access to ports
iii) Free access to merchants

C) Partners will support each other legitimacy to rule, their territorial integrity and the territories which are rightfully theirs which have been seperated and need to be reunified.

D) If a partner attacks a third country, partners are requiers to maintain part B of the agreement. If the attack lacks a legitimate CB then the partner is not obligated to intervine. If a partner is going to attack a 3rd party the attacking partner needs to inform the other within one year of the anticipated attack. At this time the other partner needs to determine if and any action it will take.

E) Exception: Cyprus is the historical ally of Genoa. Cyprus does not support any attack by any other partner on Genoese territory, any said attack will lead to the immediate termination of the alliance. If the said partner is attacked lacking a CB by Genoa then Cyprus will remain neutral. If Genoa has a CB and lacks to inform Cyprus, Cyprus will remain neutral.

F) Any additional thrid party treaties that become ratified need to be notified to the other partner

 

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Duchy of Genoa

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A messenger enters the court, hands the Sultan a message and exits.

"Sultan of the Mamelukes,

We have recently had reports of acts of piracy near Jerusalem. We have observed the aggressors, and we have noted that they carry Egyptian currency, and are probably using Egyptian ports.
We have concluded that you are harbouring these pirates, and we shall not allow this. We now see that you are incapable of ruling Egypt, and we now see our wrong in letting you maintain your rule. So, we will make you an offer, no, an ultimatum.

You will hand the province of Cyrenaica over to Genoa, as a port in which Genoa may help guard the Mediterranean from the pirates in the West.

You will swear fealty to Genoa, so that we may send in advisors to help you rule your realm, and maintain control over these pirates.

You will swear allegiance to Genoa and offer your military to our cause should we deem it necessary.

If you do not meet these demands in 3 months time, we shall march upon Egypt and force these demands upon you. Do not make us regret that we spared you four years ago.

Written by his own hand at Beirut,

Governor Geraldo Grimaldi,
Governor of Genovese-Syria."

 

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A messenger arrives in Egypt:

Mighty ruler of Egypt and Damascus,
I leader of Moskva to the far north have not speaken to your majesty before, however, we are at war with the heretic Horde, and it presents a good opportunity for your grace's correct way of Islam to make a debut. We ask of your highness to please give us your support, afterall, surely you would like to get back at your enemies some how?
Most humbly yours,
Princess Alexandra of Moskva

 

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A letter arrives from Astrakhan

Sultan of the Mamelukes

I have heard of your troubles. Know that should you be willing to embrace the true word of Allah, that all of Dar-as-Islam would stand together to aid you in your time of need. Know that the Caliph wants only peace with all of the world, so that men may come to know the true word of God, with none of this unholy warmongering.

Grand Caliph Majid Hassan