The National Library of France is full of books on the Kingdom of Morocco published between the 16th and 19th centuries. Hundreds of works printed first for the pleasure and education of the kings of France and nobles, then intended after the revolution of 1789 for the general public. Here is a brief – too terse – overview of around ten books, the oldest, which evoke Morocco in their pages, or whose story takes place entirely there.
The oldest book that cites the “Kingdom of Morocco”
The oldest literary chronicle on the Kingdom of Morocco is called “Annals of the Minor Brothers” (2 vols. 3 volumes). Written by Luc Uvadinghes in Latin, it covers the years 1208-1250. It was translated into old French and published by Sylvestre Castet in Toulouse as soon as so-called “mechanical” printing appeared in France in the 16th century. We discover in particular that Pope Innocent III in Rome commissioned the famous Francis of Assisi, founder of the order of Friars Minor, to send Christian bishops to Morocco. In the 13th century, Christians, like the Jews discussed in other BNF books, lived in harmony in Morocco and had representatives at the courts of the sultans: “Brother Elie and Brother Gilles, who were only milk brothers, left with several others for Africa to the Kingdom of Morocco, and a month after their departure, Saint Francis had them followed by Brother Vital (…) and by the good brother Lamb who has since been bishop of Morocco» (p.156). However, the Infante of Spain, jealous of Rome’s interest in this great African kingdom, dispatched his men to lead the delegation of monks back to Spain, but it “deceived his leaders and returned to Morocco, so much so that the infante had them summoned a second time to the lands of the Christians, but they deceived their guides a second time and returned to Morocco» (p.391). Innocent III, considered one of the greatest popes of the Middle Ages, “wrote to the faithful of Morocco in these neighborhoods to order them to receive Brother Lamb and to honor him as their true pastor. The Pope wrote again to the King of Morocco to thank him» (p.403).
A great nation in the world
The “Chronicles of Monstrelet”, published in Paris by the knight Monstrelet, in 1572, relate historical episodes between the years 1400 and 1467 and we learn that the Strait of Gibraltar was named in the 15th century “Strait of Morocco » (quoted on several pages). Likewise another book, “The great roadman, pilotage and sea anchoring”, written at the end of the 15th century by Pierre Garcie and published in 1579 in Paris, evokes this appellation: “Trefalguar and the Strait of Morocco» (p. 20).
In “Françoise Academy, in which the institution of morals is treated”, published in 1581 in Paris, the author Pierre de la Primaudaye promotes the saline monarchical law (the legacy of royal power is always from father to son , and never from father to daughter) and evokes the great kingdoms of the world which practice it, such as that of Naples, Sicily, France and also he specifies the Kingdom of Morocco whose capital was Fez: that “fact that the Kingdom is not referred by virtue of the law without having regard to the daughters, nor to the male descendants of these, as is done by Salic law in the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, in France as well as the Kings of Fez in Morocco, and as it was initially practiced by the King of England Henry VIII» (p.191).
“The universal cosmography illustrated with various figures of the most remarkable things seen by the author (Volume 1)”, published in Paris in 1975 by André Thevet, describes the Moroccan land as being the most “beautiful and rich” in the West: “beautiful kingdom, it is the very land of Morocco and the Ducal province (read Doukalla) all maritime and the most beautiful and rich of all» (p.9).
In “The great annals and general history of France, from the arrival of the Franks in Gaul until the reign of the very Christian king Henry III (Volume 1)” published in Paris in 1579, the author François de Belleforest speaks of Morocco as follows: “(…) Tingitane which is now called the Kingdom of Morocco, which is the richest in Barbary since the reign of King Dagobert (Dagobert lived in the 7th century, Editor’s note))” (p.119).
Travel reports and stories from ambassadors
From 1600 and throughout the great French century, with Louis XIV, a diligent diplomatic relationship was established between France and the Kingdom of Morocco. Travel reports from explorers and reports from diplomats and ambassadors established in Morocco are multiplying at an increasing rate. The titles of the books now mention Morocco by name.
“Relation of the origin and success of the Chérifs, and of the state of the Kingdom of Morocco, in Fez and Tarudant, and other provinces”, was published in 1636 posthumously by Diego de Torres (died in the 1580s), translated from Spanish by Charles de Valois, Duke of Angoulême. The translator comments on his enterprise as follows: “This story is rare and as new, because there are few people who have spoken about the affairs of Fez and the Kingdom of Morocco during the last century. Its material is ample and excellent, because it includes all the success (…) and especially recounts the actions of the Sharifs, the greatness of their conquests, the happiness of their armies, the good management of their fortune , and their solid establishment in the Kingdom of Morocco» (p. 19). It is also said: “Since the year of our Lord 1260 it has been proven that the Sharifs enjoy notoriety among their fellow Mohammedans, that they fulfill the virtues of religion and benefit from attention from the king of Morocco» (p. 57).
In “Adrien Matham’s Journey to Morocco (1640-1641); travel journal”, written by this Adrien Mathan who stayed a year in Morocco, the author retraces, in an epic story, the entire history of European diplomacies in our country, and of Western men who come into contact with Morocco in this distant century. This book has the value of an obvious historical diplomatic document. The author warns us: “The first reports of a trip made to Morocco by Europeans date from the middle of the 16th century. It was on May 2, 1552 that the English captain Thomas Windham left the port of London, sailing towards the western coast of Barbary. Fifteen days later he arrived in Asfi (Saffia), where however he only stopped long enough to take new provisions in order to be able to continue his journey towards Agader (St. Cruz)» (p.18). The story then recalls the very first official expeditions of the French ambassador Edmond Hogan, to King Moulay Abdelmalek, which took place in 1577, and that of Henri Robert, also a French diplomat dispatched shortly after to the court of Morocco. But we will also discover juicy details on the German, Portuguese and Dutch embassies, and beautiful descriptions. Thus the Dutch ambassador Liedekerke “learned that the Emperor of Morocco, delighted to be able to renew the alliance with the States-General, was preparing a very favorable welcome for him (…) a guard of honor made up of 200 Moorish horsemen, formed his procession during his route to Asfi to the capital. On March 11, 1611, the Dutch embassy entered the city, and four days later, Liedekerke with all his retinue had an audience with Sultan Moulay El Oualid» (p.21).
“Present State of the Empire of Morocco” published in 1694 in Paris by Pidou de Saint-Olon, was commissioned by King Louis XIV who was closely interested in the Kingdom of Morocco. Charged by the French monarch with concluding a Peace Treaty with Morocco, this is how Ambassador Saint-Olon to the court of Morocco presents his book, upon his return from his successful mission: “However, Sire, the obedience and attention that I owe to the execution of the orders of Your Majesty, to what she made me prescribe in my instructions, having engaged me during my stay in the State of the Emperor of Morocco, to more new and less known remarks, I dare to hope that Your Majesty will be kind enough to accept my story» (p.2). Admiring the Moroccans, the author will praise “the quality of the commerce of this empire, the character, morals and genius of those who have the most share in its government» (p.3). He describes with tact and a nostalgic look the situation of the country, the social customs of Moroccans, the daily habits of the inhabitants, etc.
Printing in Morocco from the end of the 16th century
In “The origin of the Paris printing press. Historical and critical dissertation”, published in 1694 in Paris by André Chevillier, doctor and librarian, the author asserts twice that printing was already in use in the Kingdom of Morocco from the end of the 16th century:
“We know that there were printing works in the State of Morocco in Barbary, they were first established there, undoubtedly by the Portuguese and the Spanish, who are neighbors.» (p.274). And further: “There were printing presses in the Empire of Morocco» (p.436).
At the BNF, one observation stands out over the centuries: the Kingdom of Morocco has been perceived by French historians, geographers, travelers and diplomats as a powerful state, with flourishing trade, arable land, a proud army and with the proven influence in the concert of great nations.
