Not Just the Tudors The Elizabethans and Islam
May 5, 2025
Professor Jerry Brotton, a Renaissance Studies expert at Queen Mary, University of London, dives into England's unexpected connections with the Islamic world during the Elizabethan era. He discusses how Elizabeth I's excommunication spurred diplomatic ties with Muslim powers against Catholic Spain. Fascinating exchanges with figures like Moroccan ambassadors and the impact of commerce are revealed. Brotton highlights hidden histories of women, the cultural exchanges reflected in Shakespeare's Othello, and the intricate dance of trade and diplomacy that reshaped national identity.
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Elizabethans' Islamic Alliances
- England had a significant diplomatic relationship with Islamic powers, like Morocco, against Catholic Spain during Elizabeth I's reign.
- This engagement influenced culture, including Shakespeare's plays such as Othello, showing Anglo-Islamic connections.
Victorian Bias Hid Islamic Links
- Victorian cultural nationalism obscured the rich Elizabethan engagement with the Islamic world, focusing instead on English elites and ignoring cross-cultural trade.
- Merchants played a crucial role in maintaining diplomatic and commercial ties with Muslim states, which were largely overlooked historically.
Language Masks Elizabethan Islam
- The terms "Muslim" and "Islam" entered English largely after the Elizabethan period, obscuring contemporary understanding of Islamic worlds.
- Elizabethans used catch-all terms like Moors or Ottomans, reflecting a complex but imprecise knowledge of Islamic cultures.
