Set in Negroland, the engraving addresses way in which the King dealt with disobedient subjects, or "any man who keeps away from his duty." As Ogilby explained, when any nobleman proved disobedient, or failed to comply with a summons, the King sent his Koredo, or shield. The shield was brought by two drummers (shown here in the foreground), who began beating their drums "as soon as they came near the Offenders Habitations." Upon receipt of the shield, the offender was required, without the slightest delay, "to speed away to the Court, carrying the shield with him." After presenting the shield to the King, the offender was expected to "beg forgiveness of his miscarriages," and to "take up Earth before the King, humbling himself." (p. 399), Illustration in John Ogilby's Africa: Being an Accurate Description of the Regions of Aegypt, Barbary, Lybia, and Billedulgerid: the Land of Negroes, Guinee, and Aethiopia, and Abyssines, with all the Adjacent Islands, either in the Mediterranean, Atlantick, Southern, or Oriental Sea, Belonging Thereunto (London: Printed by Tho. Johnson, for the author, and are to be had at his house in White Fryers, M.DC.LXX [1670]), p. 399., Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Africa: Images, Maps, and Geography.
Date
[1670]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare *Wing O163 14.F p 399, https://digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/Islandora%3A2955
