Le lion barbaresque

Abstract

In 1760 a warship brought a lion, a gift from the Dey of Algiers, to the Netherlands. It was a Barbary lion that, after being bought by a fairground operator, probably spent the rest of its life in a cage. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Barbary lions, along with other exotic animals such as tigers and ostriches, were regularly sent from North Africa to Europe as a sign of friendship. This article focuses on the Barbary lion. Elements discussed include its character, the best way to capture it and its fights against people and dogs. In addition, attention is paid to the ambassadors from North Africa who brought them to European capitals and the fate that awaited them there. The information comes from travel reports, stories of enslaved people, archive and newspapers of that time.