The People of Little Egypt, the lovely Gypsies,  and Cours des Miracles.

Dear Ones, a word on our Sisters of the Caravan,

Official records first noticed Gypsies in Europe about six hundred years ago as the Byzantine Empire was collapsing. They called themselves the ‘Lords of Little Egypt’. It is quite likely that Little Egypt is the area of the world we still call Asia Minor (Little Asia) which was the first part of Byzantium to fall to the Ottoman Turks. These exotic refugees were therefore called Egyptians, which in English has become Gypsy, a name which has stuck to many of their descendants throughout the world today.

First Appearance of Gypsies in the West

-~Gypsies in Paris~

Courtesy of the Liverpool Museum, Sudley Collection

In the year 1417 the inhabitants of the countries situated near the mouth of the Elbe were disturbed by the arrival of strangers, whose manners and appearance were far from pre-possessing. These strange travelers took a course thence towards the Teutonic Hanse, starting from Luneburg: they subsequently proceeded to Hamburg, and then, going from east to west along the Baltic, they visited the free towns of Lubeck, Wismar, Rostock, Stralsund, and Greifswald.

These new visitors, known in Europe under the names of Zingari, Cigani, Gipsies, Gitanos, Egyptians, or Bohemians, but who, in their own language, called themselves Romi, or gens mariés, numbered about three hundred men and women, besides the children, who were very numerous. They divided themselves into seven bands, all of which followed the same track. It is reported by some (and sadly quoted, I might add) that they were very dirty, excessively ugly, and remarkable for their dark complexions, these people had for their leaders a duke and a count, as they were called, who were superbly dressed, and to whom they acknowledged allegiance.

Some of them rode on horseback, whilst others went on foot. The women and children travelled on beasts of burden and in waggons If we are to believe their own story, their wandering life was caused by their return to Paganism after having been previously converted to the Christian faith, and, as a punishment for their sin, they were to continue their adventurous course for a period of seven years. They showed letters of recommendation from various princes, among others from Sigismund, King of the Romans, and these letters, whether authentic or false, procured for them a welcome wherever they went.

They encamped in the fields at night, because the habit they indulged in of stealing everything for which they had a fancy, caused them to fear being disturbed in the towns. It was not long, however, before many of them were arrested and put to death for theft, when the rest speedily decamped.

I, Karima Hurrem, have had many friends who came of the Tribe of the People of Little Egypt, and finding them uncommonly entertaining, and pleasing well my senses, recommend their companionship to all. In my travels to Andalusia and the region now known as the Basque the richness of the music and culture can only be attibuted to the influence of the “Gypsies”. My stories are many, and time is short dear reader, but soon, I shall join you by the campfire, and tell you of my gypsy loves. For Now, if you are a gypsy in your heart, make sure to view our Caravan of lovely gypsy garments, most elegantly finery for the lady and the courtesan.

~ Karima, Sultana and Traveler of Renown

Tags: Andre Duke of Egypt, gypsies, gypsy, Sigismund