Henry M. Stanley, on the verge of a career as an African explorer, was at Maqdala, working as a journalist. After the fall, he boasted of acquiring a shield, a "royal cap", part of Emperor Theodore's tent and a decorated, be-jeweled saddle.

Stanley sent the following letter to a friend after the fall of Magdala. (There are two links to pictures of the letter below.) Words that are unclear are followed by a question mark. Missing parts of the text are marked by asterisks.

It appears Stanley had to give up his royal shield to the British Museum. Possibly he is talking about this shield, currently on display in the museum's African collection. The rest of his haul apparently went to friends or benefactors as presents.

At the bottm of this page, there is also a link to a sketch of Emperor Theodore by R.R. Holmes, the British Expeditions official archaeologist. It is interesting that the two man were friends. Holmes took large parts of the loot back to the British Museum. He also kept at least one sacred icon for himself. Read all about it here.

Dear Anderson (?),

I had secured the royal shield, the royal Cap of Ease (?) a portion of his majesty's tent with a saddle covered with networks of gold and silver sparkling with jewels. The saddle will be sent by one of the European Captains who is about to start for New York (?) to James Gordon Bennet Snr. It is a most magnificent present and is worth three hundred pounds sterling; the shield after an advance of 16 guineas over what I had, I was obliged to part with because Napier decided it for the British Museum. The Royal Cap, your humble servant has secured for yourself with a buffalo horn, which his majesty used to drink, and a shield **** all from Magdala.****I am about to start immediately for the sea coast and will probably reach Suez by the 20th May.
My love to all
Yours truly
Stanley

Page one of the letter

Page two of the letter

Sketch of Emperor Theodore by R.R. Holmes, given to Stanley

Detail of sketch