It’s Black History Month! Black People in European History #26

It's Black History Month! Every day I will post something that shows the deep and rich history of Black people in Europe, so no one ever again questions why Black actors should be cast in all the films, plays, and shows about European history or based on fictionalized European history like Lord of the Rings and The Witcher.

This image is almost certainly not Jaquoah, but it's the image writers have been using in pieces about him. If someone knows more about this image, please let me know!

February 26: Dederi Jaquoah. Dederi Jaquoah lived in London from 1610-1612. The son of Caddi-biah, King of the River Cestos (now in Liberia), Jaquoah, at the urging of his father, departed home aboard a vessel called the Abigail, owned by a wealthy merchant called John Davies. The Abigail had been on a trading voyage, during which the ship’s captain, Roger Newse, met the king and his family and negotiated a trade deal that included rice, ivory, and meleguetta pepper– luxury commodities at the time in England– from River Cestos for British silks, satins, metal goods, and wines. After arriving in England, Jaquoah lived with Davies and his wife in London for two years. During his time abroad, Jaquoah learned fluent English and was baptized Christian. Cast Black actors!