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Ibn al-Lihyani: sultan of Tunis and would-be Christian convert (1311–18)

2009; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 24; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/09518960903000744

1743-940X

Michael Lower,

Islamic Studies and History

Abstract The fifteenth century is often seen as a turning point in Iberian Christian relations with North Africa, with the crusading rhetoric of recovery, or recuperatio, giving way after 1492 to the language of conquest and conversion, or dilatatio. In this paper, I consider an earlier example of North African–Iberian relations that brought the dilatatio theme to the fore. In this case, however, it was a Muslim prince who took the initiative. His name was Ibn al-Lihyani, and he seems to have understood the Christian urges of conquest and conversion well enough to turn them to his own advantage. Keywords: North AfricaconversionTuniscrusadeAragon Notes 1. I would like to thank Carol Hakim and Kevin Mummey for their help with this paper. 2. Housley Housley, Norman. 1992. The Later Crusades, 1274–1580: From Lyons to Alcazar, Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar], Later Crusades, 288. 3. Housley Housley, Norman. 1992. 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