Slavery
Much talk yesterday about Blair's semi apology for slavery.
I, and Penny, spent a week in Malta recently and on a visit to the Church of St Lawrence to view the famous painting of the eponymous martyr being barbecued, we met a local historian who gave us a new insight into slavery. He pointed out the small chapels within the church, each of which was endowed by local guilds or artisans, such as stonemasons and carpenters. Each guild member had to subscribe to a fund for the ransom of any guild member who was captured into slavery by muslim marauders or corsairs.
In the 16th century there were acredited agents who sailed about the Mediterranean arranging such ransoms; a habit which ensured that kidnapping remained a lucrative business even if a plentiful supply was not required for the Sultan's galleys, which it was.
Later I read that these corsairs had even raided the east coast of Britain for slaves, and in the 17th century totally depopulated an offshore island of Iceland, dragging those unfortunates off to a short but desperate life at the oars.
Now what I want to know is, who's apologising for all this? And the ongoing slavery being practiced in parts of Africa to this day? Perhaps Blair will apologise for it as well, after all, he has the same responsibility as he had for Britain's part in the trade - absolutely none.
Incidentally, the Maltese historian remarked that there was no known case of a female slave being ransomed; spoiled goods he opined. Now that really is shameful.
It's a bit wet on the allotment, but the Broad Beans are well up and the purple Broccoli has begun to sprout. The digging is completed, but at these temperatures the weeds are still growing and there are even a few strawberries to be seen.