Algerian-Moroccan Strategies and Redemption Mechanisms (1659–1727): Cross-Mediterranean Captivity

Abstract

The issue of captivity constitutes one of the most critical topics defining relations between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. This issue gained heightened gravity due to the historical conditions that dominated the region during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. With the escalation of European incursions—particularly French and Spanish—against Algerian and Moroccan coasts, the intensification of naval Jihad, and the prevalence of privateering practices pursued by both Muslims and Christians, numerous individuals were captured on both sides. Consequently, the prisoner question emerged as a pivotal element in stimulating diplomatic engagement between the opposing powers. Redemption orders played a significant role in securing the release of Christian captives, especially as the ransom process provided a substantial source of revenue and served as a vital factor in stimulating local economies, particularly that of Algeria.