The Sultan and The Queen by Jerry Brotton

The book, The Sultan and the Queen: The Untold Story of Elizabeth and Islam by Jerry Brotton covers the embrace of Islamic trading and political alliances by the protestant Queen Elizabeth at the end of the 16th century.  The Catholic dominance of Spain and France limited the trading options available to England and the country sent emissaries to Russia, Persia, Morocco and the Ottoman Empire.

The English representatives attempt to understand the different forms of Islam and the Shia and Sunni officials also attempt to make sense of the divisions between Catholics and Protestants.  Neither one fully understands the other.  The author gently makes the comparison to current circumstances in the world.

The author also covers the cross cultural exchange and its affect on the Elizabethan theatrical productions of Marlow and Shakespeare culminating with Othello. The escapades of the Shirley Brothers (Wikipedia) is also the subject of a play. One brother in particular, Sir Anthony Shirley, is a colorful character who ingratiates himself with many individuals and them proceeds to wear out his welcome leaving a trail of debts behind as he changes his original mission on the fly.

 Jerry Brotton - Islam and Shakespeare - 3 min.

Tsars Sultans and the Shakespearian World - 22 min.