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Africans have been present in Europe from classical times. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries Roman soldiers of African origin served in Britain, and some stayed after their military service ended. According to the historians Fryer, Edwards and Walvin, in the 9th century Viking fleets raided North Africa and Spain, captured Black people, and took them to Britain and Ireland. From the end of the 15th century we begin to see more evidence for the presence of Black Moors in the accounts of the reign of King James IV of Scotland, and later in Elizabethan England.
After their marriage, the king's Lord High Treasurer's accounts provide numerous entries to show how much he enjoyed lively entertainment, employing foreign minstrels from Italy and elsewhere. King James was generous to all kinds of people, including Black Moors, as the following entries from the Treasurer's accounts demonstrate:
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To celebrate Shrove Tuesday in 1505, several Africans including a 'taubronar' (drummer) and a choreographer were present in Edinburgh. Twelve dancers (including Italians) performed in specially made black-and-white costumes costing 13 2s 10d. Was this the origin of Morris (Moorish) dancing? In 1504-5 the 'Moryen' taubronar was paid 28 shillings to allow his taubroun (drum) to be painted. James bought a horse at a cost of 4 4s for this drummer, who accompanied him when he toured his northern domains.
Moor women were also mentioned in the Treasurer's accounts. It is clear that they were not servants, since they were showered with items such as gowns of satin, ribbons, slippers and gloves, paid for by the king. Entries that refer to Moor women include:
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'Blak Elene' or 'Elen More' was given five French crowns in 1512. A 'blak madin' who attended Queen Margaret was given four-and-a-quarter ells (just over five yards) of French russet. 'Blak Margaret' was given a gown costing 48s in 1513. 'Two blak ladies' staying at the Scottish Court were presented with 10 French crowns as a New Year gift at a cost of 7. In 1527, one item simply said ' to Helenor, the blak moir - 60 shillings' .
After James IV's death at Flodden in 1513 during the Franco-Scottish invasion of England, fewer references to Africans appear in the accounts. Interestingly, however, in 1594, during the reign of James VI, a richly attired Black Moor was paid to help pull the chariots during celebrations to mark the birth of James's eldest son, Henry Frederick. Nothing more is known about this man except that he lived in Edinburgh.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/early_times/moors.htm
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http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/early_times/moors.htm
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