Blacks in medieval armies

[Mike W.]

In the Maciejowski Bible, there is one person who, it appears, is depicted as a black man. Is there any other contemporary evidence of blacks serving in medieval European armies? I'm curious why the artist chose to depict one man, out of all them, this way. Was it artistic styling, or could it be reflective of historical European armies? Any thoughts?

[Sir Edward]

You know, that's a really good question. Outside of the Moores, I'm not too familiar with it.

[Sir James A]

My guess is more likely to be someone Middle Eastern with dark complexion rather than African?

[Sir Douglas]

I don't know too much about it specifically in regards to armies, but check out this blog:
http://medievalpoc.tumblr.com/

It can be a little "preachy" at times, but there's some fascinating stuff there. Some of the images show dark-skinned folks with clearly African features, some are probably Middle-eastern or Moorish (who would have originally been North Africans anyway), and some are still a little dubious to me.

[Aiden of Oreland]

French maybe?

[Sir Wolf]

when my 15thc group went to philly we saw a ton of wood carvings that showed wealthy black men in the 15th century. remember the Ethiopia area was once very wealthy and powerful. i wouldn't say that they would be seen in England too much, but the MEd area, Italy, maybe even lower France you may find them.

[Sir Nate]

Perhaps He is a servant of a Lord, Or a friend in Arms.
This Is a Movie but remember how in Prince of thieves: Robin Hood, Morgan freeman was friends with Kevin Costner and was helping him.

[Lord Dane]

Not unusual I think. Early crusaders from the Iberian peninsula had darker complexions because of their regional intermixing with African invaders who were typically nomadic Moorish tribes who converted to Catholicism after settling this area during 1100-1280 campaigns (and even later) and defeated the Moors from the regional Spanish states. Depictions will vary but I would not rule it out. It was certainly more common in this region than in France or the Holy Roman Empire.   

[Sir William]

Even back then, they had their 'token' Black man.  lol  And looka that, he's wearing our colors, Sir Edward! 

[Sir Ulrich]

My guess is they would either be Ethiopian Christians or Moors who migrated to Europe. I did read stuff about some black knights who migrated to Europe. I also have seen period art of blacks in training manuals and that one St Maurice statue is clearly African in its features. My guess is they'd be more common in the southern parts of Europe rather than the north due to trading and whatnot going on there people would migrate to make money.

[Sir Nate]

I will seriously consider him being from the holy land.
Then again, the artist may have just decided to put it in the picture.  Meaning it may have been more common than we know.

[Sir Edward]

Even back then, they had their 'token' Black man.  lol  And looka that, he's wearing our colors, Sir Edward! 

Well, blue is the superior color.

[Sir Douglas]

Even back then, they had their 'token' Black man.  lol  And looka that, he's wearing our colors, Sir Edward! 

Well, blue is the superior color.

Totally.

[Sir William]

Even back then, they had their 'token' Black man.  lol  And looka that, he's wearing our colors, Sir Edward! 

Well, blue is the superior color.

Totally.

When great minds think alike, we can't all be wrong, right? 

My guess is they would either be Ethiopian Christians or Moors who migrated to Europe. I did read stuff about some black knights who migrated to Europe. I also have seen period art of blacks in training manuals and that one St Maurice statue is clearly African in its features. My guess is they'd be more common in the southern parts of Europe rather than the north due to trading and whatnot going on there people would migrate to make money.

What's that?  Someone call me?  lol

I can get behind what you're saying there Ulrich...not knowing much about it (I never thought to look it up despite knowing I can't be the only Black man in all of history who heeded the call to knighthood) I can't say either way, but it certainly seems plausible enough.  Definitely worth me looking into.

[Sir Nate]

I can get behind what you're saying there Ulrich...not knowing much about it (I never thought to look it up despite knowing I can't be the only Black man in all of history who heeded the call to knighthood) I can't say either way, but it certainly seems plausible enough.  Definitely worth me looking into.


[/quote]

Well there was also the Templar at medieval madness William.