Madeira in the African strongholds
Original title: Madeira nas Praças de Africa (A)
A short note on Madeirans who fought in the Portuguese strongholds of Morocco and on the relief expeditions sent from the island, pointing to sources on the subject.
In the ‘Longing for the Homeland’ (Saudades da Terra), in various articles and chronicles and in many books of genealogy, there are countless references to Madeirans who distinguished themselves in the strongholds of Morocco in the assaults against the Moors. Particularly deserving of honourable mention is the prompt and valuable relief sent from this island when those same strongholds were threatened and in danger of being destroyed by the warlike followers of Muhammad. The donataries of Funchal organised several expeditions, some of them well equipped and supplied and at no cost to mainland Portugal, which rendered the most notable services to the Fatherland. Various items of information bearing on this subject can be found in scattered articles of this work, and especially in the pamphlet A Madeira e as Praças de Africa by Colonel Alberto Artur Sarmento.
In this article
Place
Places mentioned · 02
Abroad
- Funchal
Its captains-donatary organised relief expeditions to the African strongholds.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Morocco
Site of the Portuguese strongholds where Madeirans fought the Moors.
Morocco is recorded as the scene of the Portuguese strongholds where Madeirans, including Zarco, fought the Moors, and where Zarco won his knighthood. Moorish captives brought from its coast carried their tales to Madeira. It was also the country of origin of the Moroccan princesses.
People
People mentioned · 01- Alberto Artur Sarmentob. 1878
Colonel and author of the pamphlet «A Madeira e as Praças de Africa», cited as a main source on the topic.