The short and tragic life of Prince Alemayehu writes like a quintessential 19th century colonial story. His father, Emperor Tewodros II, wanted an alliance with the United Kingdom, but got no response from the British Queen Victoria.
To attract attention, Tewodros II took a number of Europeans hostage, including the British consul. Whereupon a large-scale rescue operation was mounted – reportedly involving 13,000 British and Indian men (who afterwards plundered eagerly). The Emperor would rather shoot himself than surrender. Tewodros’ wife, Empress Tiruwork Wube, and son were transferred to London.
But Tiruwork did not survive the journey. The 7-year-old Prince Alemayehu ended up in the United Kingdom as an orphan. Queen Victoria then decided to take care of him and entrusted him to captain and explorer Tristram Speedy, the man who had accompanied him from Africa.
2023-05-23 06:36:00
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