Sayyida al-Hurra (1485-1561) was a remarkable and historically significant figure, known as a pirate and ruler of the 16th-century Islamic world. Her name means “venerable lady” or “noble lady” and was a title that emphasized her high status.
Background and ascent
Sayyida al-Hurra was born as Lalla Aicha in Granada. After the reconquest of Andalusia (Reconquista) by the Christians, his parents, like many other Muslims, fled to North Africa. She moved with her family to Tétouan (now Morocco), where her future husband, Muhammad al-Mandri, was a local leader.
After her husband’s death, she regained control of Tetouan. She became the last Muslim woman to officially bear the title of ruler (al-Hurra), demonstrating her political and administrative power.
Piracy and the Barbarossa alliance
Sayyida al-Hurra is particularly well known for her pirate activities. From its base in Tetouan, it carried out attacks on Christian ships and towns along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts. She worked closely with the famous Ottoman corsair Hayreddin Barbarossa, who dominated the western Mediterranean. This alliance made her the feared ruler of the seas, and played an important role in the power struggle between the Christian and Muslim powers of the Mediterranean.
