Mouette

Histoire des conquestes de Mouley Archy connu sous le nom de Roy de Tasilet; et de Mouley Ismael ou Semein son frere & son Successeur A present Regnant. Tous deux Rois de Fez de Maroc de Tafilet de Sus &c. Contenant une description de ces Royau.

1683 · 60587 — Paris Edme Couterot 1683. 12mo 160 x 100 mm. In contemporary full calf with five raised bands and richly gilt spine. Small paper label pasted on to top of spine indicating the inventory number in a estate library. A fine copy. blank 34 469 18 blank pp. <br/><br/><em>Rare first appearance of Mouette’s account of Morocco and Fez in particular based on his observations during his eleven years of captivity in Morocco. Mouette is regarded as being one of the few chroniclers of Moroccan captivity. Germain Mouette also known as Sieur Mouette faced misfortune during his journey to the French colonies in the Americas. While aboard the warship La Royale in October 1670 he encountered the corsairs of Salé and became a captive of Moroccan pirates. Following his capture Sieur Mouette like other foreign captives was transported to Salé often characterized as the "pirate capital of Morocco" Throughout his eleven-year sojourn in Morocco Mouette meticulously documented and remembered his experiences. Initially sold into captivity in Salé where he toiled alongside fellow slaves in the renovation of the city walls he was eventually sent to Fes. "It may nevertheless be objecte that being a captive or slave he had not leisure to see and inform himself as travelers do : But a man that has anything of curiosity though in the depth of misery never fails to observe what is remarkable" Mouette wrote. </em> hardcover