Tomar lengua. La información de los corsarios en el Mediterráneo (siglo XVI)

Abstract

During the 16th century, the war between the House of Austria and the Osmanli dynasty transformed the Mare Nostrum. Traditional relations within the Mediterranean were subject to a new context that referred to the struggle in progress. All activity carried out at sea was forced to evaluate the progress of the conflict. The merchant networks, the physiognomy of places and the language codes were modified in the face of a struggle between two empires, capable of incorporating any phenomenon developed within their scope. However, piracy was the most classic form of war that the coastal peoples had practised, in the 16th century corsairs experienced a true golden age: the loot became the economic pillar of key areas such as Algiers or Malta. At the same time, the presence of the Turk and His Majesty imposes a regulation of piracy. Free navigation along the internal routes of the two empires will be paid for by the corsairs with loyalty to one of the two titans, thus granting legitimacy to pillage against enemy populations and ships. The following paper will present reserved writings from the viceregal chancelleries in Naples and Sicily, now kept in the General Archive of Simancas. Indeed, while official propaganda publishes victories and heroic models through proclamations and chronicles, the courts of the viceroys encourage the raids of corsair fleets against the neighboring shores, which provide the Mediterranean market with a considerable flow of slaves.