How a concubine became the ruler of Egypt - Abdallah Ewis

Get to know the story of Shajar Al-Durr, who was born enslaved and rose to become the ruler of Egypt.

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The year is 1249 CE. King Louis IX is sailing the Nile, threatening to overthrow the sultan and capture Egypt. Egypt’s commanders ask the sultan’s wife, Shajar Al-Durr, to report this news to the injured sultan. But they don’t know the truth: the sultan is dead, and she is secretly ruling in his stead. Who was this impressive woman? Abdallah Ewis details the reign of the Sultana of Egypt.

Lesson by Abdallah Ewis, directed by Elahe Baloochi.

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[NTLuck]

She's not all forgotten, at least not in Egypt. Her story is taught extensively in school and I remember the school book was about 300 pages all about her

[kirbymarchbarcena]

To be head of royalty in that era seems a double-edged sword, you get to stab or be stabbed.

[motoGPxSleeptoken]

The animation makes me feel like I'm listening to a bed-time story

[Jay_l]

Here in Egypt, we had an entire semester all about her in Arabic class . The entire semester was all about the strong women in Egyptian history and I really liked her story .

[edeworabraham]

This puts a whole new meaning to "Yas queen slay"

[halimalnami]

Arabic is a very hard language especially for native English speakers

Which makes her ability to say these Arabic words very well more impressive

[sleepy]

Shajar al-Durr: marries guy as long as he divorces his wife

Husband: *marries someone else*

[ahmody]

As an Egyptian illustrator and animator, I am fascinated by both the representation of our history and this marvelous piece of animation, truly stunning ❤️

[alyssa]

“Tree of Pearls” that’s the most beautiful name

[twilightgardenspresentatio]

She left a place for the impoverished to be clean and welcome. After all her time bathed in wealth, she never forgot her roots.

[ShortHax]

Now I can see why the Shajar al-Durr challenge on Crusader Kings always got out of hand

[alank]

' History isn't just what happens in the past. It is what later generations choose to make of it '
So many of these people are forgotten throughout history.

[MelissaMazza]

The rejected wife seems to have had more reason to team up with Shajar Al-Durr than to have killed her. Interesting dynamics and very sad.

[lonestarr]

Why isn't that a Hollywood blockbuster, yet?! It has all the right ingediences.

[JobKiriaku]

Egypt is so cool. Even in the 1000s AD, Egypt was ruled by under appreciated or secret defacto queens.

[radwahamdy]

I am Egyptian and i want to salute the speaker for the perfect pronunciation.

[destructionuponall]

Oh yes! Her story is taught in Egypt in full detail, as well as As-Salih. Her story is actually very interesting and fascinating. It was probably the best story taught in school throughout my school years.

[whatsinaname]

1:44 Yay, my city's history! Fun fact, the name "Al Mansoura" means "the victorious" in Arabic.

[undeadladybug]

I was low-key obsessed with ancient Egypt as a kid, but I'd never heard of Shajar Al-Durr until I'd first stumbled across this video. The things you miss going to American public school.

[limerence]

Something very common throughout history is even though thrones went almost exclusively to boys there was always a lot of women who managed to take the throne to rule anyway. Often ruling through a puppet king which would be their husband or son.