Casper Van Senden

Born in the German city of Lübeck, he eventually moved to the English capital of London, a major port at the time.

Working as a merchant in Hanseatic League, he rose to prominence in 1596 by ensuring the safe return of 89 English subjects who were detained in the Iberian Union.

While at the English court, Van Senden requested to transport "Blackamoores"[1] out of the country and sell them in Portugal or Spain to compensate for the money spent freeing the 89 detainees.

[3] Elizabeth subsequently issued a royal warrant to Van Senden, granting him the right to transport the "Blackamoores" out of the country and sell them in Portugal or Spain.

[2] The warrant stated (in part): Casper van Senden a merchant of Lubeck did by his labor and travell procure 89 of her Ma[jesty's] subiectes that were detayned prisoners in Spaine and Portugall to be released, and brought them hither into this Realme at his owne cost and charges, for the w[hi]ch his expences and declaration of his honest minde towardes those prizoners, he only desireth to have lycense to take up so many Blackamoores here in this Realme and to transport them into Spaine and Portugall.