Bencemero, Isaac

Relative of Abraham Bencemero of Azamor, the deliverer of Nuno Fernandes d'Atayde, commander-in-chief of Saffee. When in 1511 this latter city was besieged and surrounded by an army of more than 100,000 men and Atayde was exposed to the greatest danger, Bencemero and a certain Ismael formed the bold plan of bringing assistance to the Portuguese. At their own expense they fitted out two vessels, manned them with co-religionists, and sailed to Saffee. Eluding the sentinels on watch, they entered the city in the darkness of night, and thus saved Atayde and his men.

Bibliography:

  * Hieronymo de Mendoça, Jornada de Africa, p. 89a, Lisbon, 1667;
  * Kayserling, Gesch. der Juden in Portugal, p. 159.



G. M. K.