THE FREE AND INDEPENDENT WOMAN Sayyida al Hurra

A modern interpretation of Sayyida al Hurra by Oxygene Tetouan

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.

Granada, the city from which Sayyida al Hurra’s family were expelled during the Reconquista, as it appears today
photo by Uwe Aranis

Tetouan, the Moroccan city Sayyida al Hurra helped to build and then governed for 30 years, as it appeared in the 1800s.
photo in the Rijksmuseum

Chefchaouen, the city where Sayyida al Hurra is believed to have died
photo by Yotut

16th century engraving of Moroccan galleys and other ships engaged in battle
image in the public domain

Engraving of the famed Barbarossa Brothers, probably created in the late 16th century

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.