Slavery is defined as the ownership of humans. It is portrayed in both the Tortallan and Circle Universes by Tamora Pierce.
Slavery in the Tortallan Universe
Slavery is actually quite widespread throughout the Tortallan Universe and is featured as a major social issue in several books.
Tortall
The kingdom of Tortall was a slaveholding country up until 249 HE, upon a decree by King Roger II in response to the kidnapping and near enslavement of Gareth of Conté, his only son.
Slavery was already a problem for the Provost's Guard around 246 HE before it was forbidden as illegal slave auctions were held in the attempt of cheating the Crown out of their taxes. Furthermore the kidnapping of children for selling them as slaves was already prohibited[1]. In the Lower City of Corus the Market of Sorrows was a known place for slave trade.[2]
Carthak
Slaves in Carthak have no rights and there are very few Carthaki laws that protect them from brutality[3]. The whipping and killing of slaves is legal if a free person feels threatened in any way. Carthak used slavery as a way to subjugate new conquered lands and often transported conquered peoples to become slaves in other parts of the Southern Lands. Slave catching was sanctioned by the government in the early part of the 450s, and was allowed by Ozorne Tasikhe in order to terrorize Tortall.
Veralidaine Sarrasri petitioned the new emperor, Kaddar Iliniat, to think of the slaves and to free them or help them. Kaddar said he would but that just freeing the slaves would be tricky as many people would rebel against him in fear of slave uprisings.
Copper Isles
The indigenous people of the Copper Isles faced enslavement in order to subjugate upon the successful Luarin Conquest. The Isles have no protections for slaves under luarin law, especially raka slaves. Luarin slaves are provided with a bit more assurance due to the color of their skin. Brutal jurisdiction kept even free raka subjugated, such as the hateful and brutal Conqueror's Laws.
Before the Luarin Conquest, the raka did practice slavery, and often enslaved beaten members of warring clans[4].
Slavery in other countries
Carthak still has slaves when Ozorne is its Emperor and doesn't seem to be inclined of giving it up.
The Copper Isles are also a slave-holding nation, after the luarin conquest many raka were slaves.
References
- ↑ Terrier, April 2, 246 (p. 79)
- ↑ Terrier, April 2, 246 (p. 92)
- ↑ The first truly brutal depiction of slavery in the Tortallan Universe was in the third book of the Immortals quartet, when Carthak was first showcased
- ↑ Trickster's Queen