Podcast Summary: "British Barbary Slaves"
Not Just the Tudors
Release Date: August 4, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "British Barbary Slaves" from the podcast Not Just the Tudors by History Hit, Professor Susannah Lipscomb delves into the often-overlooked history of British individuals enslaved by North African Barbary Corsairs between the early 1600s and late 1700s. The discussion is enriched by the expertise of Professor Bernard Capp, Emeritus Professor at the University of Warwick and author of British Slaves and Barbary Corsairs, 1580-1750.

The Plight of British Captives

Susannah Lipscomb sets the stage by highlighting the 400th anniversary of the 1625 Mounts Bay raid in Cornwall, where 60 men, women, and children were captured. These captives faced brutal conditions, including forced labor, religious conversion, and constant violence. Lipscomb emphasizes the deep psychological impact on Britain, sparking national fear and igniting debates over Britain's vulnerability and moral standing.

Quote:
[01:22] Susannah Lipscomb: "Between the early 1600s and the late 1700s, thousands of Britons... were captured and enslaved by North African pirates known as Barbary Corsairs."

Historical Neglect and Reasons Behind It

Professor Bernard Capp discusses the surprising lack of historical focus on Barbary slavery, noting that many historians were unaware of the extent of British enslavement. He attributes this neglect to the humiliating nature of the events, which conflicted with Britain's self-image as a burgeoning seafaring and naval power.

Quote:
[05:40] Bernard Capp: "We like to think of ourselves as a great power... yet the story for the early 17th century was rather a humiliating one."

Captivity Narratives and Their Significance

While only about 20 accounts of captivity exist, with half published in the 17th century, these narratives provide a visceral glimpse into the horrors faced by captives. Capp compares these stories to North American Puritan captivity narratives, highlighting themes of resilience, survival, and the clash of civilizations.

Quote:
[06:45] Bernard Capp: "They were fascinating narratives... a mixture of horror and fascination for the readers discovering these were happening to their own countryfolk."

Perceptions of the Barbary World

Contrary to the simplistic portrayal of Barbary societies as savage, Capp reveals a more nuanced reality. Under Ottoman suzerainty, the Barbary States were powerful and sophisticated, challenging European perceptions of superiority. This complexity influenced how contemporaries viewed their captors—not merely as pirates but as formidable adversaries.

Quote:
[07:56] Bernard Capp: "The Barbary States were technically under the authority of the Ottoman Empire... It's a more mixed picture."

The Rise of Barbary Captures

The increase in British enslavements correlates with the expansion of English maritime trade into the Mediterranean. As English merchant ships grew in number and wealth, they became prime targets for Corsairs, leading to more frequent and severe raids.

Quote:
[10:09] Bernard Capp: "English trade with the Levant grew rapidly... Corsairs found England was now sending lots of merchant ships which were very rich prey."

Impact on British Society and Politics

The inability of the British Crown to protect its citizens from Barbary Corsairs contributed to national humiliation and may have influenced political instability, including the English Civil War. Failed rescue missions and mounting slave numbers underscored the government's inadequacy in safeguarding its populace.

Quote:
[11:24] Bernard Capp: "It was extremely humiliating for the Crown not to be able to defend its own people... Parliament and Cromwell built up a huge fleet."

Scale of Enslavement

Of the estimated one million Europeans captured by Barbary Corsairs, approximately 20,000 were British. While a small fraction of the total, this number was significant relative to England's population at the time, equating to the size of a major city like Norwich.

Quote:
[13:37] Bernard Capp: "Figures of British people were in the order of perhaps 20,000... similar to the population of a city at the time."

Regional Vulnerability and Public Perception

Regions like Cornwall, Devon, and small fishing communities were disproportionately affected, leading to localized fear and economic hardship. In contrast, urban centers like London also felt the impact through their maritime activities, making Barbary slavery a national concern despite its uneven geographical distribution.

Quote:
[15:32] Bernard Capp: "Different parts of England were much more affected than others... it becomes personal."

Comparing Barbary Slavery to African Slavery

Capp addresses the misconception that Barbary slavery was less severe than African slavery in the Americas. He emphasizes that while the scale differed, the brutality and dehumanization were comparable. However, European captives had a higher chance of ransom and return, unlike African slaves who faced lifelong enslavement without hope of liberation.

Quote:
[16:33] Bernard Capp: "Slavery has taken a multitude of different forms... you could be flogged almost to death."

Life Under Slavery: Treatment of Captives

British captives endured harsh treatment from the moment of capture, including beatings, starvation, and public humiliation in slave markets. Men were typically forced into labor, while women became domestic slaves or, in rare cases, entered harems. The constant threat of violence and uncertainty about fate took a profound psychological toll.

Quote:
[20:54] Bernard Capp: "They were often beaten and thrown into the hold... paraded through the streets to the slave market."

Resistance and Survival

Escape attempts were exceedingly rare and perilous, with most captives accepting their fate due to the overwhelming power of the Corsairs. Those who did attempt to flee faced near-impossibility, with most efforts ending in drowning or recapture.

Quote:
[34:29] Bernard Capp: "Very few people did escape... most of them probably drowned."

Ransoming and Redemption

Ransom efforts were primarily successful for those of higher social status, such as merchants and nobility. Local communities and institutions like Trinity House played crucial roles in raising funds through parish collections and voluntary donations, enabling the state to negotiate for the release of captives.

Quote:
[29:21] Bernard Capp: "Parliament came up with a system of nationwide church collections... that proved to be quite effective."

Cultural and Religious Implications

The captivity experience led to complex shifts in faith. Some captives converted to Islam, finding solace or favor in their new religion, while others clung to Protestant beliefs, drawing strength from their faith to endure captivity. These religious dynamics further complicated the captives' identities and their relationships with both their captors and their homeland.

Quote:
[22:00] Bernard Capp: "Some of them agree to become converts... it became almost impossible to think of going back to being English and Christian again."

The Decline of Barbary Threat

The eventual decline of the Barbary Corsairs' threat to British maritime interests was due to the expansion and strengthening of the English navy. Enhanced naval capabilities allowed England to defend its ships and negotiate treaties, effectively reducing the incidence of kidnappings and slavery.

Quote:
[42:32] Bernard Capp: "The growth of the English navy... England now had a naval force that could operate in the Mediterranean for long periods."

Legacy and Historical Oversight

Despite the significant impact of Barbary slavery on British society, its legacy is not as prominent in historical narratives as African slavery. This oversight is attributed to prevailing racist attitudes and a failure to equate the suffering of European captives with that of African slaves, illustrating a selective memory and moral disconnect in historical reckoning.

Quote:
[46:08] Bernard Capp: "The English recognize the Ottomans as a civilization equal to theirs... but they don't make equivalences with black Africans."

Conclusion

Professor Bernard Capp's exploration of British Barbary Slavery reveals a deeply scarred chapter of British history that intertwines themes of naval warfare, national identity, and the human spirit's resilience. The episode not only sheds light on the personal tragedies of those enslaved but also critiques the broader historical neglect and racial biases that have obscured this critical aspect of Britain's past.

Closing Quote:
[47:16] Bernard Capp: "I hope the subject does become better known in general. It really deserves to be and needs to be, perhaps."

Key Takeaways

• Historical Neglect: The severe impact of Barbary slavery on Britain is often overlooked due to national humiliation and complicity.
• Human Experience: Captivity narratives, though limited, provide essential insights into the horrors and resilience of the enslaved.
• Comparative Slavery: Barbary slavery shares similarities with African slavery but differs in scale and the potential for captives' return.
• Naval Power: The strengthening of the English navy was pivotal in mitigating the Barbary threat.
• Racial Bias: Historical narratives have inadequately addressed the suffering of European captives compared to African slaves, revealing deep-seated racial biases.

For those interested in exploring this topic further, Professor Bernard Capp's book, British Slaves and Barbary Corsairs, 1580-1750, offers a comprehensive examination of this poignant historical period.