SAHLE SELASSIE

born 1795 or 1801 died 1847 ruler (181347) of the kingdom of Shewa (Shoa), Ethiopia. He was the grandfather of Emperor Menilek II (reigned 18891913) and the great-grandfather of Emperor Haile Selassie I. His name means Clemency of the Trinity. A member of the Amhara royal family, Sahle Selassie ruled the feudal, semi-independent kingdom of Shewa after his father's assassination and a brief period of anarchy. A strong but kindly ruler, he expanded and consolidated Shewa, attempting to extend his rule over the Oromo peoples in the south. He was interested in Western technology and signed trade and friendship treaties with France and Great Britain.