Abu al-Fadl Hasdai (1040-) was a noble of Axum who was made Chancellor in 1077 and Master of the Hunt in 1080.
Biography[]
Abu al-Fadl Hasdai was born in 1040 to the Sephardic Jewish House of Hasdai, and he became a courtier of Axum. Dawit II of Axum made him a commander, and he defeated Maya'ir Makhzumi of the County of Assab at Yeha on 7 March 1076. On 13 March he petitioned that he should be the Marshal of the Petty Kingdom of Axum, claiming that he would do a better job than Count Sheshet of Akordat. However, King Dawit told him to give Sheshet a chance, increasing Sheshet's opinion of him. In 1077 he was made Chancellor of Axum by Dawit due to his skills, however. On 15 December 1080 King Dawit gave him a stern talking about his slothfulness, and he decided to amend his ways and work harder. Glad about his transformation, Abu al-Fadl was happy about this for two years, and he was grateful to his king; he was also made Master of the Hunt. In a political marriage, Dawit arranged for Baron Desta of Adigrat's daughter China to be betrothed to Abu al-Fadl, as she was just one year old. In 1093 he fought against Count Sheshet of Akordat's rebellion (his second time), and he defeated his old rival several times.
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