10 European Kings, Monarchs & Emperors Who Were Black But They Decided To Hide It!

Summary

This video reveals the hidden history of Black kings, queens, and leaders who rose to power in Europe, challenging the erasure of their African heritage. It explores the stories of remarkable figures like Septimius Severus, Queen Charlotte, Saint Maurice, and Prince Henry the Navigator, showcasing their significant contributions to European history and the complex intersections between Africa and Europe. Despite the suppression of their African roots, these figures made lasting impacts in politics, religion, exploration, and military strategy, highlighting the often-overlooked role of African ancestry in shaping Europe's past.

Takeaways

• 😀 Septimus Severus, a Roman Emperor of African descent, led military campaigns and legal reforms that reshaped the Roman Empire and left a lasting impact on both Europe and Africa.
• 😀 Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III, is believed to have African ancestry, which has sparked renewed interest through her portrayal in popular media, such as the series *Bridgerton*.
• 😀 St. Maurice, a black African saint, was revered across Europe, particularly in Germany, as the patron saint of soldiers and knights, symbolizing Christian virtue and tenacious faith.
• 😀 Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal, possibly of African Berber descent, played a key role in European exploration and the establishment of the transatlantic slave trade.
• 😀 St. Benedict the Moore, born into slavery in Sicily, became a respected Catholic saint and spiritual leader, demonstrating that African descent did not preclude positions of religious authority in Europe.
• 😀 Ibrahim Hannibal, a military leader in Russia of African descent, became an influential figure under Peter the Great, modernizing Russia and leaving a legacy through his great-grandson, poet Alexander Pushkin.
• 😀 Queen Philippa of Hainault, wife of King Edward III, may have had Moorish ancestry, and her diplomatic work and contributions to English society marked her as a powerful historical figure.
• 😀 Dido, the African queen and founder of Carthage, played a pivotal role in Mediterranean history, and her story is central to understanding the complex interactions between Africa and Europe in antiquity.
• 😀 Prince Gaspar Yanga, an African prince in Mexico, led one of the earliest successful slave rebellions against European colonization, eventually negotiating freedom for his people.
• 😀 Mehmed II, the Ottoman Sultan, known for conquering Constantinople, is speculated to have African ancestry, and his reign shaped both European and African history through military and political influence.

Q & A

Who was Septimius Severus and why is he significant in the context of African history?

Septimius Severus was a Roman Emperor from 193 to 211 AD, born in Lepus Magna (modern-day Libya). His African heritage is significant as it challenges conventional narratives about race in ancient Rome, demonstrating that leadership in the Roman Empire was not determined by ethnicity but by political and military skill. Severus' reign influenced both Roman law and military strategy, especially through his campaigns in Britain and North Africa.

What is the debate around Queen Charlotte's ancestry?

Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, is speculated to have African ancestry through her connection to the Portuguese royal family, particularly through Alfonso III and his relationship with a Black Moorish woman named Madragana. Though the evidence is inconclusive, contemporary descriptions of her features and portraits have fueled debates about her possible African heritage.

What role did St. Maurice play in European religious history?

St. Maurice was the commander of the Theban Legion, a group of Christian soldiers from Egypt. His refusal to renounce Christianity led to his martyrdom and he became one of the most celebrated saints in medieval Europe. St. Maurice is often depicted as a Black African in European art, symbolizing the importance of African figures in shaping European religious and cultural life.

How did Dom Henrique of Portugal's African ancestry influence European exploration?

Dom Henrique, also known as Prince Henry the Navigator, played a pivotal role in advancing Portugal’s maritime ambitions. His possible African heritage, potentially linked to the Berbers of North Africa, may have influenced his deep interest in exploring and establishing trade routes along Africa’s western coast. His efforts contributed to the expansion of European knowledge about Africa and its eventual exploitation through the transatlantic slave trade.

What makes St. Benedict the Moore's life remarkable in European religious history?

St. Benedict the Moore, born to enslaved African parents in Sicily, rose to prominence in the Franciscan Order due to his spirituality, humility, and charitable works. Despite racial prejudices of the time, he achieved high religious authority and became a significant figure in Italy and Spain. His canonization reflects the important role of African-descended individuals in European religious traditions.

What was Ibrahim Hannibal's impact on Russian history?

Ibrahim Hannibal, an African-born prince brought to Russia as a child, rose to high military and courtly positions under Peter the Great. His contributions to Russia's modernization, particularly in engineering and military strategy, were significant. Hannibal’s African heritage also contributed to his legacy, influencing the cultural and social dynamics of 18th-century Russia, with his great-grandson being the renowned poet Alexander Pushkin.

What are the theories surrounding Queen Philippa of Hainault's African ancestry?

Queen Philippa of Hainault, wife of King Edward III of England, is thought by some historians to have had Moorish ancestry. This speculation stems from her potential connections to the Spanish and Portuguese royal families, who intermarried with the Moors, North African Muslim rulers. Chroniclers from her time described her as having darker skin, which has led to debates about her African heritage.

Who was Dido of Carthage, and what is her significance in the context of African-European relations?

Dido, also known as Alysa, was the founder and first queen of Carthage, a powerful city-state in North Africa. Her rule connects African and European histories as Carthage engaged in frequent interactions with ancient Rome. Although her African heritage isn’t explicitly highlighted in historical sources, her legacy as a powerful African queen symbolized the complex relationships between Africa and Europe.

How did Prince Gaspar Yanga's leadership challenge European colonialism in Mexico?

Prince Gaspar Yanga, believed to be of royal West African descent, led one of the first successful slave rebellions in the Americas in the 1570s. After escaping slavery, Yanga formed a maroon colony in Veracruz, Mexico, where he resisted Spanish colonial forces for decades. His eventual negotiation of a peace treaty in 1618 granted his people freedom, marking a significant moment in the history of African resistance against European colonization.

What role did Mehmed II play in European and African history?

Mehmed II, known as Mehmed the Conqueror, was the Ottoman Sultan who famously conquered Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire. His reign significantly impacted both Europe and Africa, as the Ottomans expanded their influence in the Mediterranean, bridging the gap between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Though there is debate about his African ancestry, his empire included diverse populations, and his military campaigns extended into Africa.