Moroccan diplomats #9 : Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali, an ambassador who loves science and art

In the 1720s, Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali was sent to England as Moulay Ismail’s ambassador to the English court. Once in London, he attended arts events and visited the country’s prestigious educational institution.

Moroccan diplomats #2 : Mohamed Ben Hadou, Royal Society’s honorary member

To free Tangier, seized by King Charles II of England, Moulay Ismail sent Ambassador Mohamed Ben Hadou to London. The latter became a popular figure in England and was invited to universities and honorable institutions.

History : Zaydana, Moulay Ismail’s manipulative wife

Behind every strong man is an even stronger woman, a saying that applies to Zaydana. Known as a black, tall and manipulative woman, Lalla Aisha Mubarka was the chief spouse of Moulay Ismail who managed to sow seeds of mistrust between the sultan and his favorite son.

The Atlas lion that nearly devoured Sultan Moulay Ismail of Morocco

Sultan Moulay Ismaïl of Morocco was nearly killed by a lion in his royal park, reportedly slaying the beast himself with a dagger in a dramatic show of courage. Whether true or embellished, the tale served to reinforce his image as a powerful ruler both at home and abroad.

Did a Marinid sultan surpass Moulay Ismail as Morocco’s most fretile ruler ?

Moulay Ismail is famed for fathering over 1,000 children, but a lesser-known claim suggests Marinid Sultan Abu Hasan may have surpassed him with more than 1,862 offspring, according to a 15th-century historian. 

Did Sultan Moulay Ismail of Morocco truly propose to King Louis XIV's daughter?

In 1699, Morocco's Sultan Moulay Ismail reportedly proposed marriage to Louis XIV's daughter, sparking a diplomatic mystery that continues to captivate historians and romantics alike.

Rare Moroccan peace treaty letter up for sale in Austria

An Austrian company is offering a historic handwritten letter by Sultan Moulay Ismail for 28,000 euros. Dating back to 1720, the letter holds significance for Moroccan history, as it relates to a peace treaty signed between Morocco and the United Kingdom.

Moroccan diplomats #6 : The Toledano brothers, Sultan Ismail’s most powerful Jewish emissaries

Sent by Moulay Ismail to the Netherlands, England and Spain, the Toledano brothers were members of a well respected family the Sultan relied on to maintain good diplomatic relations with Europe.

History : When Moulay Ismail forcibly enslaved Haratin to establish a «black army»

By the end of the 17th century, sultan Moulay Ismail decided to forcibly enslave all «blacks» in the Kingdom, including those who were free. Inspired by the Saadi dynasty, the sultan wanted to create an army based on slavery which angered Muslim scholars in Fez.

History : When Moulay Ismail put Christian slaves to hard labor in Meknes

In the seveteenth century, sultan Moulay Ismail grouped Christian slaves in Meknes to build him a palace that would outshine «Louis XIV’s at Versailles». Trying to escape hard labor, these slaves paid smugglers to flee the powerful Alaouite sultan.