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Jews under the Spanish Kings : Oran 1509-1669
Publisher
:
Hachette Littératures
Parution date
:
1999
EAN
:
9782012354036
Description
Les juifs du roi d’Espagne: Oran 1509-1669 chronicles the unique story of the Jews in North Africa who were called upon by the Catholic kings of Spain to act as mediators between the Christians and the Muslims.
As the Spanish Fleet swept through the Algerian region of Oran in the early 16th century, the armies of the King of Spain sought assistance setting up a veritable Spanish state. The Archbishop of Toledo, conqueror of the city of Oran, authorized the installation of seven "Jewish houses" in the center of the city, and the Hebrews became precious diplomatic and commercial intermediaries between the Muslims and the Christians. Their fluency in both Castilian and Arabic made them indispensable interpreters. This unusual arrangement lasted for more than a century, until the regent queen expelled all Jews from the city in 1669 in the name of Charles II—an expulsion reminiscent of 1492.
In his well-researched account, Jean-Frédéric Schaub makes sure the story of the Jews of Oran—from their great influence on the politics of Catholic kings to their eventual expulsion—is never forgotten.
Author
Schaub Schaub : A specialist in modern Spanish history, Jean-Frédéric Schaub is a professor at l’Ecole des Hautes Etudes en sciences sociales.
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