Nobody knows her real name. But this “Uncontested Pirate Queen of the Western Mediterranean” certainly earned her title: the Sayyida al Hurra, the Free and Independent Woman. From child refugee fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, to ruling Governor of Tetouan, to the Sultana of Morocco – Sayyida was never one to follow the path society had laid out for her.
Author Laura Sook Duncome helps us uncover the mystery of this one and only actual Pirate Queen.
photo by Uwe Aranis
photo in the Rijksmuseum
photo by Robert Brands
photo by Yotut
image in the public domain
Laura Sook Duncombe is the author of A Pirate’s Life For She and Pirate Women. She is also a licensed attorney in the state of Massachusetts, although she doesn’t currently practice law. She lives in Oklahoma with her incredible husband, amazing sons, and a betta named Nemo.
Music featured in this episode included
“Lament for al-Andalus,” “Al-Fiyyashiyya” and “Jadaka al-Ghaithu” by Farya Faraji
“Oud Dance” and “Swinging With the Sultan” by Doug Maxwell
“Society’s Dream” by the Mini Vandals
“Growing Space” by Astron
“Seclusion” by The Tides
and “The Battle of 1066” by Patrick Patrikios
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