Latest news with #Saracen
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Fraxinet, a 10th-century Muslim trading post in Saint-Tropez
In the 10th century, Saint-Tropez was home to a Saracen trading post following a Muslim conquest around 890, likely led by sailors from Al-Andalus. This historic land, situated at the crossroads of maritime, commercial, and military routes in the Mediterranean, witnessed the evolution of civilizations due to its proximity to Sardinia and Sicily. Over the centuries, the French commune absorbed these influences. At the turn of the 9th century, the territory experienced Muslim raids and incursions in southern Europe, where Al-Andalus and the Italian islands endured centuries of caliphal rule. Fraxinet emerged amid numerous armed power struggles. Alongside the Three Sacks of Rome in 846, 849, and 876, raids targeted Provence, including attacks on Marseille in 838 and 846. Simultaneously, Muslim forces established bases in Camargue (France), Bari (Italy), and Crete (Greece) during the 9th century. More than a corsair outpost in Saint-Tropez, Fraxinet became a significant economic and political landmark, though historical records remain scarce. Some accounts link Saint-Tropez's Muslim past to these incursions, leaving a lasting mark on the commune. The 10th-century Muslim chronicler and geographer Mohammed Abul-Kassem ibn Hawqal mentioned Fraxinet in his travel writings. Known for his journeys between 943 and 969, the author of the famous Configuration of the Earth describes an island at the Rhône's mouth, near Al-Andalus, reminiscent of the Balearics. An Autonomous Muslim Stronghold Historian and chronicler Ibn Hayyan al-Qurtubi (987–1076) refers to an Umayyad «peace treaty» sent around 941 to affiliated territories, including Fraxinet's leader. According to this scholar from Córdoba, the border area primarily served a military function, acting as a fortress and launch point for offensives. Despite its distance from the caliphal center in Al-Andalus, the trading post was managed by leaders who maintained significant autonomy. This collection of historical clues suggests that Fraxinet's warriors founded their Saint-Tropez outpost for defensive purposes, reinforcing border Muslim raids. Political instability in the region facilitated the rapid conquest of southern European lands. Additionally, the fertile land fostered agricultural and economic prosperity, even as the Fatimids (909–1171) rose in Egypt, North Africa's Ifriqiya, and Sicily before the Norman conquest in the 11th century. In The Saracens of Fraxinetum in the 10th Century, published in Islamic Lands and the Latin World (Presses universitaires de Lyon, 2000), medieval historians Pierre Guichard and Denis Menjot confirm these insights. They note that «Provence suffered from Saracen raids since the mid-9th century, similar to southern Italy». However, these repeated attacks mainly affected the western region and did not quickly lead to lasting settlement. The second wave of invasions, however, brought about deeper changes «for nearly a century», as testified by Bishop Liutprand of Cremona (920–971/972), cited by the authors. «A familiar of Otto I, whom he served as ambassador to Byzantium, Liutprand lived for a long time at the court of Hugh of Arles and had good knowledge of Provence. In his main work, dedicated to Bishop Recemund of Elvira, the Antapodosis ('Reprisals' against Berengar II of Ivrea), he recounts the events in Provence from the Saracens' arrival to their final defeat», the researchers explain. They add that the Saracens' settlement «may have begun with a fortuitous event: the shipwreck of a marauding boat from Umayyad Spain». A Military Base for Northern Incursions Guichard and Menjot further explain that the new conquerors «were reinforced between the late 9th century and early 10th century» to «take over the forested scrubland of the Maures and fortify themselves on the Fraxinet peninsula, in the Gulf of Grimaud (Var)». From this base, «they devastated eastern Provence, raided deep into the Alps, and created a genuine climate of insecurity», the historians emphasize. The Saracens' raids intensified alongside escalating political struggles in the Kingdom of Arles. The authors note that «King Hugh secured the Byzantine emperor's support, whose troops blockaded Fraxinetum in 942, but Hugh's rival Berengar of Ivrea engaged the Saracens, angering Liutprand. Emperor Otto unsuccessfully negotiated with the Caliph of Córdoba to recall the Muslim bands. The capture of Abbot Mayeul of Cluny at the Great Saint Bernard Pass provoked a strong reaction, leading to military operations — primarily by Count Guillem of Provence against Fraxinetum — resulting in the Saracens' final expulsion in 972». In Fraxinetum: An Islamic Frontier State in Tenth-Century Provence, Mohammad Ballan describes the Andalusian colony of Fraxinet as an «Islamic frontier entity» developed into a significant economic and military center in Provence. Serving as an advanced post of Al-Andalus, Fraxinet had the dual purpose of defense and community enrichment, as Ibn Hawqal described. Thus, the Saracens proclaimed their emirate of Fraxinet to invest in the territory and use it as a base for larger-scale northern military expeditions. Notably, they controlled western Alpine passes and dominated trade routes between France, Italy, and Switzerland, parts of which were under their control. Between 890 and 972, the Saint-Tropez peninsula was an Arab-Muslim colony known as Jabal al-Qilâl («Mountain of Peaks«) or Farakhshinit — the Arabized form of the Gallo-Roman fraxinetu. The region was governed by Nasr ibn Ahmad, appointed caïd around 940. The Saracens were definitively expelled in 976 by Guillaume I, Count of Provence (960–993) and Lord of Grimaud, who fortified the city by building a tower on the current site of the Suffren in 980.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Portofino's Hotel Splendido Has A Stunning Villa To Book This Summer
The Villa Beatrice, a short walk from the Splendido, was originally designed by Gino Coppedè, a renowned and prolific architect in early 20th-century Italy. Courtesy of Belmond Portofino has long been a gliterrati playground and its desirability shows no sign of diminishing after more than 60 years in the jet-set spotlight. Each season superyachts compete for one of the limited number of berths in its tiny harbor; reservations at dining hot spots Cracco, Chuflay and Da Puny are snapped up the moment temperatures begin to rise, and for decades the village's artisan and specialty boutiques have been sought after by visitors who could shop anywhere—style icon Gianni Agnelli liked to purchase loafers at Mingo Portofino. where you can do the same today. This summer there'll be another reason for deep-pocketed travelers to stop by when the Hotel Splendido Belmond debuts a new property, a private one-key villa, which will be a first for the luxury travel company. The seaside palazzo, called Villa Beatrice, is a five-minute walk from the hotel, and sits on a private spit overlooking the sea. The hills around Portofino are home to some of the most exclusive private homes in the world, including the estate owned by Dolce & Gabbana, the fashion designers. The Dowager Duchess of Westminster owns a vineyard here that produces the local white, vermentino. The Villa has three floors and an additional Torretta, or tower level. COURTESY OF BELMOND For decades the most famous place to stay in Portofino has been the aptly named Hotel Splendido, a Belmond property since 2014, and owned by LVMH since 2019. Winston Churchill, a connoisseur of many things and someone who knew how to pick his Riviera resorts, stayed here as did Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Vivien Leigh, Ava Gardner and more recently, George Clooney. British actress Vivien Leigh at the Hotel Splendido in 1954. Photo by Mario De Biasi/Mondadori via Getty Images Mondadori via Getty Images Centuries before Portofino became a requisite A-list stop, it was a coveted prize for power players on the Italian peninsula. The Romans were thought to use Portofino as a harbor; in the 1500s Saracen pirates, determined to wangle a foothold in the area, attacked a strategically placed Benedictine Abbey so often the beleaguered monks had to flee from their home with the heavenly panoramas. (The abbey eventually became a private residence, then in 1902 the site of the Splendido.) Napoleon stationed troops at Castello Brown, a medieval castle with Roman roots perched high above the village. Later European aristocrats came to holiday; in the 1920s, Elizabeth von Arnim's best-selling novel, Enchanted April, gave the burgeoning resort a widespread renown. The English actor Rex Harrison vacationed in Portofino and helped put it on the celebrity map during Italy's dolce vita heyday, where it has remained every since A view over the Gulf of Tigullio. Courtesy of Belmond The Hotel Splendido's Villa Beatrice, which will open this summer, overlooks the mesmerizingly beautiful Gulf of Tigullio, and offers exceptional views and private access to the sea. This former family home, built for a Ligurian shipbuilding magnate, Attilio Odero, spreads out over three levels (with a Torretta, or tower floor) and includes four suites, a rooftop terrace, and a separate cottage called La Casetta with an additional suite. The villa was originally designed by Gino Coppedè, a renowned and prolific architect in early 20th-century Italy, whose buildings in a Rome neighborhood blending Art Nouveau and other distinct architectural styles, turned it into one of the Eternal City's cultural attractions, subsequently called Quartiere Coppedè. A sitting area. Courtesy of Belmond A terrace overlooking the sea. Courtesy of Belmond. Martin Brudnizki, an architect famous for his sleekly glamorous interiors and luxury hospitality design, oversaw the the multi-year renovation of the villa. The palazzo's external Coppedè frescoes were restored, marble bathrooms revamped, and the decor styled with antiques, contemporary pieces and artwork with connections to the region. Brudnizki said in a statement that the goal for Villa Beatrice was to create a space that blends modern sophistication with the history of the Ligurian coast 'where guests feel as though they've been welcomed into a cherished family villa.' Amenities at the property include butler service, a plunge pool with sun deck, a pavillion for yoga or spa treatments, gym, and a terrace for outdoor dining. Guests can also arrange for a private chef. The hotel will introduce its renovations to the main buiding this summer. Courtesy of Belmond The Splendido itself, which has also been undergoing a multi-year update under the direction of the Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, debuts its renovated main building this summer. In addition to new rooms and suites, the hotel will have restyled guest areas including cocktail, lounge and coffee bars, a refreshed breakfast space, and a permanent Dior Spa with a roof terrace. Splendido updates completed in 2023 include the stunning (saltwater) pool where you can swim and take in views of the Portofino coast, and the redesigned La Baronessa Suite, fashioned as if it were a sumptuous retreat in a Ligurian palazzo. It has its own garden and provides direct access to the pool.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nine bolters with a shot of making the Lions squad
Bolter: Noun, Australian informal - an outsider in a contest or race. Perhaps it was a term picked up on a previous tour down under. For whatever reason, in the northern hemisphere at least, the concept of a bolter has become synonymous with Lions squad selection. It refers to the inexperienced, overlooked and out of favour. Players propelled from leftfield to centre stage and on to the plane with the best of Britain and Ireland. Back row Sam Simmonds, who had not been chosen for England in three years, was that pick when the Lions toured South Africa in 2021. Some bolters have blossomed into Lions greats. Jeremy Guscott and Martin Johnson had each made just one appearance for England before playing for the Lions. Jason Robinson was still learning the game after switching from rugby league. Other gambles have not paid such dividends. Here are nine potential picks, all less than probable but the right side of impossible, to listen out for when Wales great Ieuan Evans announces the squad on Thursday. "I'd pick Owen Farrell. Who do you want in there when the going gets tough? Test-match animals." Back in October when he was asked by the Times who should start at fly-half for the first Test against the Wallabies, Johnny Sexton was retired from playing, working for a glass company and publicising his autobiography. Now, intriguingly, Sexton has been signed up as a coach for the tour. The fallout would be substantial, but head coach Andy Farrell might judge selecting his son worth it. With little Lions Test experience among other potential 10s, three-time tourist Farrell brings an accountability and intensity few can match. Even as a 21-year-old tour rookie in Australia in 2013, his communication and leadership were picked out as an example to the rest of the squad by captain Alun Wyn Jones. Farrell has endured a difficult, injury-interrupted season with French club Racing 92, though he and his team have come into some welcome form recently, winning five out of seven matches since the former Saracen's comeback from a groin problem in March. However, his final chance to press his case ended early when a head knock forced an early exit from Sunday's European Challenge Cup semi-final loss to Lyon After a wretched run of 17 successive Test defeats and with no Welsh voice among Andy Farrell's support staff, representation from The Dragons could be at an all-time low. Wales have never supplied fewer than five players for a Lions squad. If they are to get up towards that figure again, then Blair Murray could be on the plane. The Lions do not have huge depth at full-back. Ireland's Hugo Keenan will likely tour, but Scotland's first-choice 15 Blair Kinghorn suffered a knee knock recently and would be a late arrival on tour with Toulouse destined for Top 14 play-offs. England have shuffled between George Furbank, Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith over the past year. Murray, all scampering pace and jagging sidesteps, would be a crowd-pleasing pick. The sort of player who might revel on midweek hard grounds against Australia's Super Rugby sides. Debuts do not come much more imposing than away and at altitude against the world champion Springboks. Add playing in a position you have not started a game in for nearly two years and you understand the extent of Jamie Osborne's Test baptism. However, the 23-year-old scored a try, kept his place and was part of a team that shared the series spoils in South Africa. Osborne is a slight but rangy runner, with deft hands, aerial ability, a kicking game and an understanding with the Leinster and Ireland team-mates who will make up a large touring contingent. The clincher though could be his versatility. Covering full-back, wing and centre is useful on a hectic tour and would potentially give Farrell more licence to load the bench with forwards. Another with the ability to fill a few backline vacancies. Jordan was playing semi-professional rugby with Ayrshire Bulls until 2021 and only made his Scotland debut in November. He has seized the chance opened up by an injury to Sione Tuipulotu though, and was integral to Scotland's sharp backline in the Six Nations, with clever support lines, a step and a good offloading game. With England's Ollie Lawrence out through injury - one of the favourites for a midfield role in Australia - Jordan could benefit from another's misfortune once again. Bound for Bristol next season, the New Zealand-born Glasgow star can also back up fly-half and full-back. Can a bolter come with 99 Test caps already to their name? George Ford has slipped down the England fly-half pecking order, with first Marcus Smith and then Fin Smith steering the ship. But Ford has been in dazzling club form for Sale, playing close to the line and easing open holes for himself or runners. His one cameo in the Six Nations - a 25-minute replacement appearance against Wales - featured more sublime touches. He has never toured with the Lions and, at 32, is unlikely to if he misses out this time. Ford's composure and experience could be an ideal counterfoil to the more extravagant 10s under consideration. Cummings' injury absence attracted fewer headlines than the loss of captain Tuipulotu, but arguably was just as damaging to Scotland's Six Nations campaign given his front-five heft and nous. The 28-year-old second row is only just back from his broken arm, making an appearance off the bench in Glasgow's loss to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship (URC). However, his excellent work alongside Grant Gilchrist in Scotland's engine room prior to his lay-off will stand him in good stead in a position likely to be dominated by English and Irish options. The mid-Six Nations bounce that stand-in coach Matt Sherratt coaxed out of Wales included drafting in an all-new front row. Nicky Smith was one of those promoted and his scrummaging provided a platform for a vastly improved showing against Ireland. Signed by Leicester last summer, he has also been key to Tigers' push towards the Premiership play-offs under Michael Cheika. With Ellis Genge and Andrew Porter expected to fill two of three loose-head spots, he would likely have to edge out Scotland's Pierre Schoeman to get a squad slot. Might Wales' final-round trouncing at the hands of England count against him in the final reckoning? Could the Northampton flanker's soaraway season finish on Lions duty? There has been no sign of opposition taming the 20-year-old's dynamism and energy in his breakthrough campaign. An Under-20 World Cup winner with England last summer, he has become a mainstay in Saints' back row, offering a turnover threat at the breakdown and massive metre-making in the loose. He scored two tries as he made his England debut off the bench in the Six Nations and another in a hugely impressive victory over Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-final on Saturday. Back row is fiercely competitive as ever, with exiled Englishman Jack Willis, playing at French side Toulouse, also in contention. Pollock attempting to defend the team's stuffed-toy mascot from his team-mates - a traditional duty for the tour's youngest player - would provide plenty of morale-boosting amusement for the party however. Appointed Toulon co-captain after just a year in France, David Ribbans has acclimatised fast to life in the Top 14. There is even a banner at Stade Mayol, with his face, a St George's cross and the slogan 'God Save Ribbans'. The 29-year-old second row, who won 11 England caps before moving to France, has been in fantastic form, leading with physicality. The Top 14 play-offs, with semi-finals on the same weekend the Lions play Argentina in Dublin, pose a logistical problem, but perhaps not an insurmountable one. Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Martin Scorsese's 'The Saints' returns to Fox Nation for Lent spotlighting Francis of Assisi, other legends
Fox Nation will roll out part two of its hit docudrama series 'Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints' beginning on Friday, April 4 and through the Easter season. Hosted, narrated and executive produced by celebrated Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese, the exclusive docudrama from Lionsgate Alternative Television explores the remarkable stories of men and women who risked everything to embody humanity's most noble and complex trait — faith. Part two of the popular docudrama series returns with episode one, now streaming exclusively on Fox Nation, centering around Francis of Assisi. The episode details his journey from the horrors he faced in war to his later dedication to Jesus Christ during the Fifth Crusade. Martin Scorsese Illuminates History's Boldest Saints In Fox Nation Series He Didn't Believe Could Be Done' Part 2 Of 'Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints' Returns On Fox Nation For Easter Season During the beginning of the 13th century, Francis of Assisi was captured and held as a prisoner of war during a war between Assisi and Perugia. Scarred by the experience, Francis put aside his old life of frivolity and searched for new meaning. He found it in a command from Jesus himself – to "rebuild my church." As the new episode explores, Francis spent the rest of his life following that command—in the process starting a brotherhood, preaching on how to live like Christ, and even ending face-to-face with the Saracen leader, Sultan Al-Kamil at the height of the Fifth Crusade. Ancient Religious Relics Recovered After Church Robberies Now On Display In New Exhibit Read On The Fox News App "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints" originally premiered in November 2024, releasing episodes throughout the Christian season of Advent that centered around the lives of other famous figures such as Joan of Arc, John the Baptist, Sebastian, and Maximilian Kolbe. This Lenten season, the focus of the series shifts to three more historical figures, including the aforementioned Francis of Assisi, Moses the Black and Mary Magdalene. The themes remain focused on these "extraordinary figures" and their brave acts of 'kindness, selflessness and sacrifice', per the official show description. Scorsese himself has explored religious themes throughout his storied career, including the 1988 film, "The Last Temptation of Christ." In November 2024, he said during a panel discussion after an exclusive screening of the show that he "didn't believe it could be done," referring to the show's existence, previously saying he's "excited" to be working with Fox Nation on his lifelong passion learn more about the story of Francis of Assisi as only Scorsese can tell it, subscribe to Fox Nation. Click Here To Join Fox Nation Fox Nation programs are viewable on-demand and from your mobile device app, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite Fox Nation article source: Martin Scorsese's 'The Saints' returns to Fox Nation for Lent spotlighting Francis of Assisi, other legends
Fox News
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Martin Scorsese's 'The Saints' returns to Fox Nation for Lent spotlighting Francis of Assisi, other legends
Fox Nation will roll out part two of its hit docudrama series 'Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints' beginning on Friday, April 4 and through the Easter season. Hosted, narrated and executive produced by celebrated Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese, the exclusive docudrama from Lionsgate Alternative Television explores the remarkable stories of men and women who risked everything to embody humanity's most noble and complex trait — faith. Part two of the popular docudrama series returns with episode one, now streaming exclusively on Fox Nation, centering around Francis of Assisi. The episode details his journey from the horrors he faced in war to his later dedication to Jesus Christ during the Fifth Crusade. MARTIN SCORSESE ILLUMINATES HISTORY'S BOLDEST SAINTS IN FOX NATION SERIES HE DIDN'T BELIEVE COULD BE DONE' During the beginning of the 13th century, Francis of Assisi was captured and held as a prisoner of war during a war between Assisi and Perugia. Scarred by the experience, Francis put aside his old life of frivolity and searched for new meaning. He found it in a command from Jesus himself – to "rebuild my church." As the new episode explores, Francis spent the rest of his life following that command—in the process starting a brotherhood, preaching on how to live like Christ, and even ending face-to-face with the Saracen leader, Sultan Al-Kamil at the height of the Fifth Crusade. "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints" originally premiered in November 2024, releasing episodes throughout the Christian season of Advent that centered around the lives of other famous figures such as Joan of Arc, John the Baptist, Sebastian, and Maximilian Kolbe. This Lenten season, the focus of the series shifts to three more historical figures, including the aforementioned Francis of Assisi, Moses the Black and Mary Magdalene. The themes remain focused on these "extraordinary figures" and their brave acts of 'kindness, selflessness and sacrifice', per the official show description. Scorsese himself has explored religious themes throughout his storied career, including the 1988 film, "The Last Temptation of Christ." In November 2024, he said during a panel discussion after an exclusive screening of the show that he "didn't believe it could be done," referring to the show's existence, previously saying he's "excited" to be working with Fox Nation on his lifelong passion learn more about the story of Francis of Assisi as only Scorsese can tell it, subscribe to Fox Nation. Fox Nation programs are viewable on-demand and from your mobile device app, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite Fox Nation personalities.
