New historical research has revealed a shocking chapter in England's past: white Europeans were captured and sold into slavery by Muslim traders along the South Coast during the medieval period.
The findings challenge conventional narratives about slavery in British history, highlighting a largely forgotten era when coastal communities lived in fear of abduction.
The Forgotten Slave Trade
Evidence suggests that between the 16th and 18th centuries, Muslim slavers from North Africa frequently raided coastal settlements, taking captives who would be sold in markets across the Islamic world.
Historical records indicate that:
- Thousands of Europeans were taken from Cornwall to Kent
- Coastal defences were built specifically to deter slavers
- Church funds were used to ransom captured villagers
Rewriting History
The research has sparked controversy among historians, with some accusing the political left of ignoring this aspect of history to fit modern narratives.
"This was Europe's first encounter with systematic slavery," said Professor James Thornton of Exeter University. "The scale was smaller than the transatlantic trade, but the trauma for coastal communities was very real."
Modern Implications
The revelations come amid ongoing debates about Britain's colonial past and how slavery is taught in schools. Some historians argue this earlier form of slavery deserves equal attention in the national curriculum.
Local historians in coastal towns are now re-examining their archives, with several communities planning exhibitions about this dark chapter in their history.
