Medieval Ethiopian Kingship, Craft, and Diplomacy with Latin Europe by Verena Krebs

Author:Verena Krebs
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Two months later, a version of this letter had already been printed in Rome, testifying to the considerable Latin Christian excitement about this first Solomonic mission to Europe in decades. In late February 1514, Ǝleni’s envoys Mateus and Yaʿǝqob finally arrived at the court of Manuel I of Portugal.211 The Portuguese humanist Damião de Góis,212 then a page in royal employ, witnessed their reception as a young boy.213 Nearly 20 years later, he described the events in a letter to a friend as follows:214 the two ambassadors were escorted to the royal residence in Santos-o-Velho in Lisbon by the nobles and notables of the town, where the Portuguese king descended from his throne to greet them. The presentation of their letter of credence, written in the ‘Lusitanian’ and ‘Chaldean language’,215 as well as a subsequent audience with the royal family, was conducted with reverence. Only after three days of celebration were the ambassadors Mateus—whom Góis identifies as an Armenian by origin—and Yaʿǝqob invited to deliver Ǝleni’s nearly five-year-old message.216

Portuguese documents on the embassy match many parts of Ǝleni’s letter to Manuel I. Treasury lists, as well as Góis’ descriptions, confirm that Mateus and Yaʿǝqob had indeed brought a cross, round in shape, that was understood as having been made from a piece of the True Cross. It was kept in a box of pure gold. They had also brought five gold medals inscribed in the abexim—‘Abyssinian’—language. According to Góis, the Portuguese king received the cross kneeling, tears of joy in his eyes, and fervently thanked God for the gift.217 In the Latin Christian perception, these presents identified Ǝleni as a ruler of a literate and cultivated society deeply committed to the word and work of the Gospel.218 We must assume that her offer of marriage to cement the ties of the two royal houses consequently also received serious attention at the Lusitanian court. The Portuguese had all reason to harbour hopes for a future successful military alliance with Solomonic Ethiopia.

To demonstrate his appreciation for this precious, newly established connection, Manuel I commissioned an astounding list of gifts to be sent to Ethiopia in July 1514.219 The variety of items is extraordinary: Manuel had chosen to send ornate, inlaid and gilded tables, velvet-covered chairs trimmed in gold, riding gear, fashionable golden armour trimmed in crimson satin, beautiful arms and no less than 1433 books.220 The vast majority of the gifts, however, were fine fabrics and finished textiles, often embroidered with religious iconography: cushions, tablecloths, cloaks, carpets, curtains, door hangings, tapestries, drapes depicting ornate courtly scenes, or the Virgin and Child with an archbishop seated at her feet. These garments and fabrics came in all colours and were made from silk, brocade, damask and other types of cloth from Granada, Holland and Brittany.221 A wealth of ecclesiastical items was also assembled: illuminated books, religious jewellery, liturgical bells, censers, chalices and candlesticks alongside everything necessary to prepare the Eucharist as well as framed images of Jesus and Mary of different sizes, and two full organs.

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