Having initially set out to find a North-East passage and a market for English wool and cloth, Richard Chancellor stumbled upon Russia in 1553. Shortly after, he met the Russian Tsar, Ivan IV and managed to secure a number of important trading privileges. One of the most important rights granted in the 16^th century was the right to use Russia as a transit route to Persia, and numerous merchants of the English Muscovy Company were keen to exploit this opportunity. The focus of this work is to shed light on a memorandum entitled ‘a note to give ocacion of a certeyne consideracon to be had in tyme purporting matters of russia and of percia’ (hereafter ‘the notes’) written by Arthur Edwards, a merchant and member of the Muscovy Company who travelled to the Shah’s territories in 1579. The memorandum has been given some scholarly attention before, most notably by T.S Willian, who drew attention to the economic benefits of trading with Persia. However, it is also possible to read ‘the notes’ slightly differently, not only as a work of economic advice and information, but as an interesting document that sheds light on a 16^th century merchant’s positive perception of Persia and The Islamic World.

Throughout his work, Edwards frequently draws attention to military equipment that is both used and produced in Persia, including ‘Turkey Blades’ that are ‘the best of the world’ to ‘a kind of light armour’ and ‘bowstaves.’ Whilst Edwards does bring attention to the economic benefits of military equipment, arguing they can bring ‘private benefit’ and ‘common profit’, we can still detect a sense of admiration for Persian arms and prowess. He refers to ‘Turkey Blades’ that can be used to ‘cleave a round skull and disarme an armed man.’ England was not unaware of military developments in the Islamic world - after all, information on the Battle of Chaldiran between the Ottomans and the Safavids, as well as reports of Tatar attacks on Muscovy had been frequently reported back to London and other major cities across Europe. However, a closer reading of Arthur Edwards’ notes goes beyond a simple report of the Persian army and economy - it illustrates a sense of respect and even admiration for Islamic equipment and military craftsmanship.

Moreover, whilst ‘the notes’ talk at great length about other items and skills that can be purchased and developed in Persia, including ‘a feltmaker to learne the making of felte for cloakes’ and ‘learning the art’ of weaving a ‘Turkey Carpete,’ they also refer to the positive impact learning from the Persians could have back in England. Edwards strongly believes sending English metal-workers to the Safavid Empire to learn about the ‘forging of daggers and knyves’ could help bring about employment in England, whilst also giving Queen Elizabeth a ‘noble commodity’ to furnish ‘all of Protestant Europe.’

It is important to stress Edwards was not alone in his admiration for Islamic military prowess. Other early modern diplomats, envoys and travellers, including Anthony Jenkinson, often commented on the military might of the Ottoman Empire and other Islamic polities. But by bringing attention to Edward’s memorandum, we can highlight how merchants, whilst mainly being concerned with trade and economic matters, also sometimes showed a deep respect for certain elements within Islamic societies. This makes us reconsider Europe and England’s relation with the Islamic world outside the black and white binaries of hostility and mutual distrust. Whilst both sides did engage in frequent conflict and viewed each other with suspicion, there were also moments of understanding.

Shahid Hussain is a current MPhil research student hoping to complete his PhD at University College London (UCL) on the patronage and networks of British Ambassadors to Muscovy in the 17th century. He completed his Undergraduate and Master’s degree at UCL, where he investigated various aspects of Russian History in the Early Modern Period, including the military relationship between Muscovy and the Ottoman Empire during the reigns of Ivan the Terrible and Suleiman the Magnificent. A strong interest in diplomacy and the interplay between The West, Russia and The Islamic World has also culminated in a number of articles on contemporary diplomatic affairs for journals including The Diplomat and Modern Diplomacy. He can be reached on LinkedIn here, or by email at [email protected].

University College London

Select Bibliography:

E.Morgan and C.Coote ‘Early Voyages and Travels to Russia and Persia by Anthony Jenkinson and other Englishmen’ (London: Hakluyt Society) 2017  

T.S. Willan ‘The Early History of the Russia Company’ (Manchester: Manchester University Press) 1956