Dr Kat and the Elizabethan Trade in "Bell Metal"

Today I'm exploring Elizabethan England's response to various disruptions in European trade... sound familiar? Elizabeth and her England began to look east; eventually, they started to trade in something known as "bell metal". Let's look at what this means and how these new trading relationships also inspired the cultural output of the period.I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!
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Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
Images:
Portrait of Sir Francis Walsingham, attributed to John de Critz (circa 1585); held by The National Portrait Gallery.
Anonymous image of Murad III (date unknown)
Anonymous portrait of Elizabeth I of England, The Armada Portrait (circa 1588); held at Woburn Abbey.
Anonymous image of Abd el-Ouahed ben Messaoud ben Mohammed Anoun, Moorish Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I (1600); held by Shakespeare Institute in Stratford Upon Avon, part of the University of Birmingham.
Quoted texts:
Bernadette Andrea, Women and Islam in Early Modern English Literature (2008).
Translation of Elizabeth I’s letter to Murad III from Richard Hakluyt, The Principall Navigations, Voiages and Discoveries of the English Nation, Made by Sea or Ouer Land, to the Most Remote and Farthest Distant Quarters of the Earth at Any Time within the Compasse of These 1500 Yeeres: Deuided into Three Seuerall Parts, according to the Positions of the Regions Wherunto They Were Directed … Whereunto Is Added the Last Most Renowmed English Nauigation, Round about the Whole Globe of the Earth (London: Bishop, Newberie and Barker, 1599-1600), Vol. 2, p.139.

[@hamsternerd]

I love hearing about the connections and correspondence between the east/west, or different parts of the Tudor-age world. It's so easy to forget multiple historical events happening at once across the globe, and the communication between monarchs who must have known of each other. I'm watching some historical Turkish tv shows, and have been super interested in the beginning of the Ottoman empire, so I really loved hearing about this connection. Any more videos on correspondence between monarchs across the globe, or little-known friendships between east and west would be appreciated! It's so tough to find the same information that you would about a monarch in Europe for a monarch or leader in Turkey/Anatolia, African nations, or other parts of the world. The wikipedia pages on them are mostly blank, while the English monarchs and their relations are documented in SO MUCH detail.

[@kateh2007]

I love the way that you bring us unexpected aspects of our history. Even as a Roman Catholic I had never heard of Bell Metal. Whatever one's personal opinion, one has to admire Elizabeth and her counsellor's political manoeuvres and nouse when aligning herself with the ruler of Turkey. Very canny!!! Stay safe x.

[@claireconolly8355]

Super fascinating! Just further reminds me how clever E1 really was...

[@pat412pear]

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure... Our dear Mr Shakespeare was not above pandering so it makes sense for him to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to him by Elizabeth’s trading with new partners. It certainly opened up avenues to some interesting characters.

[@mesamies123]

It is certainly possible, even likely, that Shakespeare is influenced by this image or by the man himself because the nation, and especially the Queen and Council, is interested. I wonder, then, what is Shakespeare's inspiration for creating Aaron of *Titus Andronicus or Caliban and Sycorax of *The Tempest? I wonder if Shakespeare was always looking East and in any direction for inspiration. The Bard seems to know where and how to look and listen for what he needs both to construct a well-made play and to please all the audiences. Thank you, Dr. Kat, for this excellent reading of Othello's possible origins; I had no idea of this important political and religious connection! ❤

[@marypatton5136]

I think it’s pretty common for the arts to reflect current events. I think Mozart was inspired to write “The Abduction from the Seraglio “ by the Turks at the gates of Vienna.

[@chrismurray2237]

How much access would Shakespeare actually had to internal decisions related to English-Turkish trade plans? Would he have been mixing in those rarified circles enough to get a good read of someone like he Turkish Ambassador?

[@bkathrynbladgett8274]

History does repeat itself. That is why it is so important to teach, teach, teach, history! No revisionist history. Truth.

[@R08Tam]

I've always admired Elizabeth for surviving in a dangerous world. Sadly I'm disappointed to learn that she appears to have started the ignoble practice of this country supplying arms to despotic régimes.

[@wendygerrish4964]

Imagine the chatter of traders merchants travellers soldiers, aides, servants and wealth that would go on in court, Westminster, markets, pubs and coffee houses.