Freedom and Bondage among Muslims in Southern Italy during the Thirteenth Century

Abstract

This article examines the status of Muslims living under Christian rule in southern Italy during the Middle Ages. Outside the Iberian peninsula, the Muslim community at Lucera, in northern Apulia, was the largest in medieval Europe. For almost 80 years, the Muslims of Lucera enjoyed a considerable degree of autonomy and a protected status. While they bore a heavy tax burden, they were allowed to practice Islam and manage their internal affairs. From a legal standpoint, they were not free subjects, however. They were considered to be the property of the king. The unique status of the Lucerine Muslims is contrasted in this article with the positions of free Muslims and slaves in medieval Italy. Muslims visited the kingdom as ambassadors, scholars, and merchants, particularly during the reigns of Frederick II and his son, Manfred. As slaves, Muslims were brought to farm lands and perform domestic labor. Enslaved persons were not afforded the same privileges as were the Lucerine Muslims. Topics such as the status of Muslim converts to Christianity and bondage among Christians are also addressed in this article.