“Neglect! The defences of the city are poor, and its walls and forts would easily be destroyed by mining and explosives. You English will need to spend a fortune to strengthen these basic defences. Secondly the garrison is largely manned by local militia, not by royal troops. This militia keeps itself supplied with essentials by raiding the surrounding countryside. The English navy will be essential not only to the transfer of power, but as an immediate defence against Ghailan.”
– an excerpt from the book
Author Reputation Press is honored to publish “Trouble In Tangiers: Islamic Incursions, Portuguese Perfidy? 1661” by Geoff Quaife. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
“Trouble In Tangiers: Islamic Incursions, Portuguese Perfidy? 1661” by Geoff Quaife is centered around the complex political dynamics in Tangiers during the 17th century, particularly focusing on the interactions and conflicts among European powers and Islamic states. The book details the historical context, including significant events and figures involved during this tumultuous period.
Author Geoff Quaife, born and educated in Melbourne, Australia, has been a university lecturer, historian, and academic administrator, spending most of his working life in Armidale in regional NSW. He is the author of academic works on witchcraft and sexuality and the fifteen earlier Luke Tremayne adventures.
The book is set in 1661, a time when Charles II was engaged in diplomatic negotiations to solidify alliances through marriage. Specifically, he proposed to marry the sister of an Islamic ruler, which had significant implications for the political landscape of Europe and the Islamic world at that time.
In 1661, Charles II put an end to the diplomatic wrangle between European powers to provide him with a wife. He announced he would marry the sister of the disabled King of Portugal, Catherine of Braganza. As part of the marriage treaty, Portugal ceded the strategic north African port of Tangiers to England in return for three thousand English troops to assist Portugal in maintaining its independence from Spain.
The instability of both Portuguese and Moroccan politics and conflict within the city itself forced Charles to send his agent Colonel Luke Tremayne to investigate the general situation and forestall any attempts by Moroccan warlords to undermine English influence. Their possession of an emerald and silver ring becomes crucial to such an end.
A notable aspect of the book is its focus on Islamic incursions into territories affected by European colonial ambitions. These incursions are portrayed within the broader context of the cultural and military rivalries that characterized the period, emphasizing the complex relationships between different entities.
Geoff Quaife’s work is significant for its exploration of a relatively underexplored period in early modern history. It sheds light on the dynamics between Islamic and European powers, providing insights into the geopolitical strategies that shaped the future of the region and influenced subsequent historical developments.
The book contributes valuable knowledge to those interested in history, diplomacy, and the interplay of cultures in the 17th century.
“Trouble In Tangiers: Islamic Incursions, Portuguese Perfidy? 1661” by Geoff Quaife is now available for purchase via ARPress Bookstore: https://authorreputationpress.com/bookstore/trouble-in-tangiers-islamic-incursions-portuguese-perfidy-1661/.