African Knights and Men at Arms in Medieval History: Fact or Fantasy?

Many popular TV series and movies feature African knights and men at arms in medieval settings, which some viewers argue is politically correct and inclusive. But did any such figures actually exist in history?

From Fantasy to Reality: Historical Evidence

While it's easy to dismiss the presence of African knights and men at arms in medieval Europe as mere fantasy, history reveals that such individuals did, indeed, exist. The German novel Parzival, for instance, describes a character with an African mother and a European father, suggesting that such genetic diversity was not entirely unheard of.

According to A Black Presence in Early Modern Britain by Miranda Kaufmann, there were significantly more black people in England during the Tudor period than commonly assumed. Kaufmann's research compiled stories of a dozen or so black individuals who lived in Britain during this time, offering compelling evidence of the presence of African individuals in the medieval and early modern periods.

Archaeological Evidence from Northumbria

A key piece of archaeological evidence comes from an excavation in Northumbria during the 8th century. Researchers unearthed the remains of a Saxon warrior who appeared to be a veteran, evidenced by healed and non-healed wounds on the skeleton. Surprisingly, DNA analysis of his teeth revealed a West African origin, contradicting the common assumption of a primarily Caucasian population.

Similarly, archaeological findings from major European port cities provide further evidence. For example, the 15th-century shipwreck Mary Rose included one African and two mixed-race individuals among its crew. Roman legions from North Africa were also well-documented, as were black musicians at the court of Elizabeth I.

Trade, Desertion, and Human Curiosity

It is important to recognize that Africans in medieval Europe were not uncommon due to trade, desertion, and human curiosity. European sailors often engaged in trading with African ports, leading to occasional desertions and the creation of small communities. Records of prizefighters, paintings of page boys, and descriptions of large African communities in the Atlantic ports of Britain further support this claim.

While the medieval period is often less well-documented compared to other eras, there is substantial evidence indicating the presence of Africans in Britain several hundred years ago. The middle ages might be less detailed in terms of historical records, but the assumption that no Africans lived in Britain during this time is incorrect.

In conclusion, the presence of African knights and men at arms in medieval history is neither purely fantasy nor entirely absent from historical records. The integration of diverse characters in modern media reflects an appreciation for the true historical diversity of the past and a celebration of our rich shared heritage.