Mohammed ben Hadou facts for kids
Mohammed ben Hadou (also known as Mohammad bin Hadou or Muhammad ben Haddu al'Attar) was an important person from Morocco. He served as an Ambassador for his country. An ambassador is like a special messenger or representative from one country to another. Mohammed ben Hadou was sent to the English court of King Charles II in 1681–82. He was sent by the Moroccan ruler, Muley Ismail. Some historical records suggest his mother might have been English.
His Important Visit to England
Mohammed ben Hadou arrived in England on December 29, 1681. He stayed for about six months, leaving on July 23, 1682. His visit was a big deal and many people talked about it. News of his visit was even shared in the London Gazette, which was a newspaper at the time. Some poems were also written about him!
During his time in England, he visited famous places like Oxford and Cambridge universities. He also became a member of the Royal Society in April, which is a very old and respected group for scientists.
A famous writer named John Evelyn said that Mohammed ben Hadou was "the fashion of the season." This means he was very popular and everyone wanted to see him. Evelyn described him as a "handsome person" with a "wise look." He also noted that the ambassador was very polite and calm, even when watching plays at the theater. He looked very grand when riding his horse in Hyde Park.
What Happened Next?
When Mohammed ben Hadou returned to Morocco, he brought with him a plan for a peace and trade agreement. This agreement was meant to help England and Morocco get along better and trade more. However, the Moroccan ruler, Muley Ismail, did not approve the agreement. This was because there were still disagreements about English soldiers in Tangiers and about English people who were being held captive in Morocco.
Even though the agreement wasn't signed, Mohammed ben Hadou's visit was the start of a long relationship between England and Morocco. For the next 40 years, the two countries often worked together. They dealt with issues like European conflicts, trade, and the exchange of captives.
During his stay, Mohammed ben Hadou had an interpreter named Lucas. Lucas apparently married an English servant. However, Lucas later stole money from the ambassador and ran away. He was caught and put in prison. But Mohammed ben Hadou showed kindness and forgave him. He even allowed Lucas to return to Morocco with him.
See also
- Anglo-Moroccan alliance
- Islam and Protestantism
