Letter from Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha to Emperor Maximilian II, Constantinople, 1-10 January 1577

İftiḫārü’l ümerāi’l-ʿiẓāmi’l-ʿīseviyye muḫtārü’l-küberāi’l-fiḫāmi fīʾl-milleti’l-mesīḥiyye muṣliḥü meṣāliḥi cemāhīri’ṭ-ṭāifeti’n-naṣrāniyye ṣāḥibü eẕyāli’l-ḥaşmeti ve’l-veḳār ṣāḥibü delāyili’l-mecdi ve’l-iftiḫār vilāyet-i Beç ve Alāmān ve Nemçe İmparādorı Maksimilyānūş Ḳrāl ḫutimet ʿavāḳibühū-bi’l-ḫayr mā-beynde vāḳiʿ olan muvālāt ve muṣāfāta lāyıḳ ve sezā-vār olan ḫayırlu duʿālar ve s̱enālar taḳdīm olınduḳdan ṣoñra dostāne inhā olınur ki ḥāliyen bu cānibe mektūbuñuz vārid olub bundan aḳdem bu cānibden gönderilen mektūb-i müteʿallunuñ mażmūnı maʿlūm u mefhūm oldı ḫuṣūṣen ʿizzetlü pādişāh-ı gerdūn-iḳtidār ḥażretleriyle mā-beynde olan ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥ üzere olan saʿy ve iḳdāmıñuz iġlāmından ziyāde mesrūr olub lākin serḥadda olan ʿasakir-i hümāyūn ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥa naẓar itmeyüb fitne ve fesāddan ḫālī olmaduḳlarına taʿaccüb olınur bu ḫuṣūṣa devletlü ve saʿādetlü Pādişāh-ıʿālem-penāh ḥażretlerinüñ rıżā-yı şerīfleri olduġına iʿtimādımuz yoḳdur ṣulḥa muġāyir aḥvāller ṣādır olmışdur ve şimdiye degin ḫarāc virmeyen varoşlardan ve köylerden cebr ile ḫarāc ṭaleb iderler ve niçe yerlerimüz güçle tābiʿ itdürdiler ve İslām ʿaskeri Ḫırvāt serḥaddına gelüb ḫalḳ bī-ḫaber iken Bojnā nām ḳalʿamuzı alub ẓabt eylediler ve Bosna serḥaddında Ġuslicek nām ḳalʿayı daḫı muḥāṣara idüb aldılar ve Ostoranca nām ḳalʿayı muḥāṣara idüb iki gün dögüb daḫı iki pāre ḳalʿa alub içine ādem ḳoyub ẓabt idüb ve Sigetvār Begi Ḳanije ḳurbunda olan And nām ḳalʿayı ḫarāb idüb ve cengcisin ḳırub helāk itmişler baʿdehū añ-ḳarīb nām ḳalʿa-yı daḫı yaḳmışlardur ve sene-yi sābıḳada Filek ve Seçen ʿaskeri Oḳçuḳ nām varoşı yaḳub iki yüz nefer ādem esīr idüb eks̱erin ḳatl itmişlerdür ve İlyā nām varoşdan on sekiz ādem esīr itmişlerdür ve Ḳanije içinden on beş pāre köyi urub ġāret idüb ḫalḳın esīr ve ṭavārların ġāret itmişlerdür ve Novīġrād ʿaskeri Abrīʿ nām köyi yaḳub ḫarāb itmişlerdür Budūnda olan Vezīre mektūb gönderdüb alınan ḳalʿalarımuz ve esīrlerimüz ṭaleb olunduḳda aṣlā muḳayyed olmayub ʿahde muġāyir cevāb virüb gönderilen virgü maḥż-i ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥ içün gönderilür virgünüñ irsāli ʿavḳ olınduġı sizüñ cānibiñüzden teʿaddī ve tecāvüz olunmaġla olmuşdur ve hem vilāyetimüzden baʿīd yerde olub ḳadīmden muḳīm olduġımız yerde olmamaġla teʾḫīr olınmışdur ġayrı ḫuṣūṣ mulāḥaẓa olınmaya saʿādetlü Pādişāh-ı ʿizzet-penāh ḥażretlerinüñ mübārek ḫāk-i pāy-i şerīflerine ḥüsn-i taʿbīr ile iʿlām eyleyesiz ki bizüm cānibimüzden noḳṣān oldı diyü fehm itmeyeler lāzım olduġı üzere Budūnda olanVezīre mektūb gönderdük bize vire kāġıdın gönderin ki fī’l-ḥāl virgümüzi irsāl iderüz şimden ṣoñra bunuñ gibi teʿaddī vü fesād ü ẓulm olmaya ve ḫarāc virmeyen köylere daḫl ü tecāvüz olınmaya ve alınan ḳalʿalarımuz girü edā oluna Budūnda olan Vezīr ve sāʾīr begler veʿasker ḫalḳı ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥa riʿāyet eyleyeler ki min-baʿd ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥa muġāyir bir vażʿ ṣādır olmaya ve bir noḳṣānımuz ṣudūr itmeye bizüm elimüz altında olanlar ʿahde riʿāyet itmeyüb tecāvüz iderler ise tedārikleri görilüb ḥaḳḳlarından gelinür ve mektūbuñuzda Leh ve Erdele müteʿallıḳ ḫuṣūṣlar ẕikr olınmış muḳaddemā Şaʿbān Çavuş ile iʿlām olınmış idi bu bābda saʿādetlü Pādişāh ḥażretleri ṭarafında sūy-i ẓann buyurılmaya ve Klis serḥaddında vāḳiʿ olan Senj nām ḳalʿamuzuñ ḳapudanı küllī teʿaddī itmişlerdür bizüm ḫaberimüz yoḳdur ʿasker ḫalḳı itmişlerdür anları ʿazl idüb ḥaḳḳlarından gelürüz bizden olan kimesne ʿahde muḫālif iş itmez baʿzı müfsidler ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥı bozmaḳ isteyüb mübāşeret iderler anlaruñ bize ʿalāḳaları yoḳdur tābiʿ daḫı degillerdür anlar fesād iderler Seg ṭāʾifesi mesʾūl olurlar ol bābda muḥkem tenbīh ve teʾkīd olınmışdur ki ehl-i fesādı memleket içine ḳomayub ele gelenlerin ḥaḳḳlarından gelinür diyü bildirmişsüz ve der-gāhı saʿādet-dest-gāhumuzden ilçiñüz daḫı dīvān-ı hümāyūn-ı saʿādet-maḳrūna mektūb gönderüb bundan aḳdem merḥūm ve maġfūrunleh Sulṭān Selīm Ḫānʿaleyhi’r-raḥmeti ve’l-ġufrān ḥażretleri ʿināyet buyurduḳları ʿahd-nāme-yi şerīflerine muġāyir sene-i sābıḳadan ve işbu sene-i sāʾīr ki islām ʿaskeri Beç vilāyetlerinde ve sāʾīr nāḥiyelerde itdükleri fesād u żarar u ziyān mustaḳill defter olunub irsāl olındı ṣulḥa muġāyir ve mā-beynde olan ʿahde muḫālif ṣudūr iden fesād ve teʿaddī muḳteżāsınca Bosnanuñ virgüsüni ḳrāl muḥibbleri eglendürmek degil aṣlā göndermeyüb el ḳoyub niçe tedārikler görse olurdı zirā eger gendüler ve eger eli altında olanlar ṣuçsuz ve günāhsız iken islām ʿaskeri[ni] ol mertebe rencīde idüb ziyān itmişlerdür ki virgü eglendügine taʿaccüb idecek degildür ehl-i islām ʿahd-nāmede olan şerāʿiṭi riʿāyet itmeyüb tecāvüz itdükleriçün ḳrāl cānibinden daḫı tecāvüz fikrī var idi ammā şerāʿiṭ-i ʿahde riʿāyet ider ḫuṣūṣan Alāmānuñ begleri ḳrāla virgüyi göndermek diyü taḥrīk itmişler iken ḳrāl anlaruñ sözüne baḳmayub Bosnanuñ ve gelecek senenüñ virgüsün göndermege mübāşeret idüb tedārik eylemek üzeredir bu sene bu ḳadar ḥiṣārlar alınub yaḳub yıḳub ḫarāb eyledüklerinden ġayri ḳaryeler ġāret idüb ve ne ḳadar esīr itmişlerdür defter olınmışdur muḳaddemā ḫarāc virmiyen yerlere şimdi ḫarāc teklīf iderler aṣlā şimdiye degin ḫarāc virmemişlerdür ḫuṣūṣen sene-i sābıḳada aḥkām-ı şerīfe gönderilmişdi ḥālen ḫilāf-ı emr-i şerīf ṭaleb iderler ve ḥālen Noviġrād Sancaġıbegi Ḳorponā ve Buḳāniç ve eski Ṣolyunuñ reʿāyāsına ḫarāc virsünler diyü ḫaber gönderür ve Filek ve Seçen begleri daḫı fesāddan ḫālī olmayub ḫaylī zamāndan berü aġaçlar ve ormanlar ile baʿzı yollar ṭutılub baġlanmış iken şimdiki ḫālde begler yolları açub ol cāniblerde olan varoşlara ve ḳaryelere ḫavf virüb ḫarāc virmezseñüz ʿāmmeyi ḳatl iderüz diyü ḫaber gönderürler Dūnī ve Kākūy ḳalʿaları alınmazdan evvel ehl-i İslām hergiz ol yere daḫl itmeyüb ḫizmet teklīf olınmaz idi ve bunlardan māʿadā Ḫırvāt ve İslovīn serḥadlarında olan Bihke Dastıviçe nām ḳurānuñ ḳalʿalarına ḫavf virüb muḥāṣara itmek isterüz diyü ḫaber gönderürler ḳrāl muḥibbleri ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥuñ istiḥkāmı içün virgüyi irsāl ider iken ʿasker-i İslāma icāzet virilür ricā olınur ki dostluḳ eyyāmında ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥa muġāyir iş olmaġı cāʾiz buyurmayalar saʿādetlü Pādişāh-ı rubʿ-ı meskūn ḥażretlerinüñ ʿadāleti ve kimse sözüne taġmayub ḥaḳḳı icrā itmeleri ve ʿahdlerinde s̱ābit olduḳları maʿlūmdur ḳrāl muḥibblerinüñ daḫı maʿlūmı olmışdur böyle iken serḥaddlarda olan fesādlaruñ ve żarar ve ziyānlaruñ menʿ ve defʿ olınmaduġına ḳrāl muḥibbleri teʿaccüb ḳalmışdur ümīzdür ki ḳadīmden ḫarāc virmeyen varoş ve ḳurā ahālīsüine tecāvüz olınmaya diyü Budūnda olan Vezīre ve Ṭımışvār Beglerbegine ve serḥadda olan beglere aḥkām-ı şerīfe gönderilüb muḥkem tenbīh ü teʾkīd olına min-baʿd ol ahālī-yi ḳurādan ve yirlerden ḫarāc ṭaleb itmeyeler ve ehli-fesāduñ ḥaḳḳlarından geleler ve Erdel voyvodasınuñ ve tevābiʿinüñ ḫilāf-ı vāḳiʿʿarżlaruna iʿtimād buyurmayalar gendü ḥālinde olalar ve Alāmān vilāyetlerinde ʿasker cemʿ olınmasınuñ sebebi Frānça ve Filāndreye nām vilāyetlerde maḳṣad-ı sefer olmaġla eger Rīm pāpā ve eger sāʾīr naṣārā begleri her biri leşker cemʿ idüb Frānçaya ve Filāndreye yardıma gönderürler bu ḫuṣūṣ içün sūy-i ẓann buyurulmaya diyü bildirmegin eger sizüñ ve eger ilçiñüzüñ gönderdügi mektūblaruñ mefhūmı cümle iḫrāc olınub ʿizzetlü Pādişāhımuz eʿazzullāhu enṣārahu ḥażretlerinüñ pāye-i serīr-i aʿlālarına gönderilüb cümlesine ʿilm-i şerīf-i ʿālem-şumūl-i ḫusrevāneleri muḥīṭ u şāmil olmışdur eyle olsa devletlü Pādişāhımuzuñ āsitāne-i saʿādet-āşiyāneleri dāʾimā mekşūf olub kimesnenüñ gelüb gitmesine menʿ ve redd olmayub dostluḳ üzere s̱ābit-ḳadem ve rāsiḫ-dem olub iẓhār-ı ṣadāḳat itdüklerüñ iltimāsları redd olınmayub mādām ki naḳż-ı ʿahd ve ḫilāf-ı vaʿd nesne ẓuhūr itmeye der-gāh ʿālīleri cānibinden daḫı ḫilāf-ı merżīleri olmayub dāʾimā bu ʿahd ü emāna riʿāyet iderler lākin şimdiye degin potra ve çeteler bozılub ḳalʿalar alınub ve ādemler esīr olmaḳ ki vāḳiʿ olmışdur mā-beynde olan ʿahd ü emāna muḫālif sizüñ cānibiñüzden olmışdur sizüñ serḥaddıñuzda olan ādemleriñüz gendü ḥāllerinde olmayub ḫilāf-ı ʿahd memālīk-i maḥrūse-i pādişāhīye segirdüb teʿaddī ve tecāvüz itmekle serḥadda olan ʿasker-i İslām daḫı dīn bābında olan ġayret ve ḥamiyyetleri muḳteżāsınca gendülerin ḳoruyub ve ḥiṣārlarun ḥıfẓ itmek içün muḳābele olub bizüm ṭopraġımuzda olmışdur sizüñ ṭopraġıñuzda olan ceng daḫı ṣahīḥdür zīrā sizüñ ādemleriñüz ḫilāf-ı ʿahd memleket ve vilāyete tecāvüz idüb ṭopraġımuza dāḫil olduḳdan ṣoñra ʿaskerimüz irişüb anlar daḫı muḳābele itmege ḳādir olmayub firār itmekle ʿasker-i hümāyūn daḫı taʿḳīb idüb sizüñ sınūruñuza dāḫil olub ceng olmışdur bu degildür ki serḥadda olan ʿaskerimüz ḫalḳı fermān-ı şerīf-i pādişāhīye muḫālif vażʿ ideler ve ḳalʿalaruñ alınması ḫuṣūṣı daḫı minvāl-i mezbūr üzere ḫilāf-ı ʿahd memālīk-i maḥrūse-i pādişāhīye dāḫil olan leşkeriñüzi tevārī ḥiṣāra bile dāḫil olub almışlardur ḥattā Bosna serḥaddında daḫı bu es̱nāda alınan Pojnī ve Jāsīn nām ḳalʿaları daḫı vech-i meşrūh üzere memālīk-ı pādişāhīye dāḫil olan leşkeriñüzi ʿasākir-i İslām taʿḳīb idüb ḥiṣār altına bile varub içerüye girüb almışlardur ḫuṣūṣen mā-beynde olan ʿahde muġāyir ḥiṣār almaġa ibtidā sizüñ ḳapudānlarıñuz sebeb olmışdur zirā geçen senede Ḳupān serḥaddında piyāde ve atlu çete çıḳub Belendvār nām palanḳayı iḥrāḳ idüb ve yine sene-i māżīde Esterġon serḥaddında segirdüb Cigerdelen palanḳasınuñ altına gelüb ḳumpāre atub ādem irişmekle ḫalāṣ olub ḫaylī ṭavār sürüb ve ādem alub gitmişlerdür bunlardan ġayrı Filek serḥaddına segirdüb Ṣupanḳa altına gelüb ādem alub baʿzını şehīd itmişlerdür ve Gūla o cihette Pekeş palanḳasın yaḳub yıḳub ve Budūn altında yigirmi biñ miḳdārı ḳoyūn bozmuşlardur ve Rāḫsene ucunda Makurçuḳa ḳalʿasın alub yaḳub içinde olan ehl-i islāmı esīr itmişlerdür ve Ġrāniçe nām ḳalʿayı daḫı iḥrāḳ idüb ehl-i islāmdan baʿzını esīr itmişlerdür ve ṭopla Ḳuka nām ḳalʿayı daḫı iḥrāḳ idüb içinden yetmiş beş nefer müslimānı esīr itmişlerdür ve Ostoniçce ḳalʿasınuñ altında Septerlaḳa nām knezüñ taṣarrufunda olan ḳaryelerin urub fesād ve teʿaddī itmişlerdür maʿa-hāẕā şimdiye degin Seg cānibinden ve Budūn serḥaddından ve Bosna ve Sigetvār ṭarafından ve Pojeġadan alınan kefereden ve der-gāh-ı saʿādet dest-gāha biñ miḳdārı dīl getirilüb ne vechle giriftār olduḳları her birinden suʾāl olınduḳda serḥadd begleri gönderüb var ki memleket urub ādem alak diyü taḥrīk iderler anlaruñ iġvāʾ ve taḥrīkleri ile gelüb memālīk-ı pādişāhīye tecāvüz iderüz diyü taḳrīr iderler bu taḳdīrce ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥa muġāyir iş ḳanġı ṭarafdan olmış olur ve vilāyet-i Erdel Voyvodyası ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥa muġāyir Ḫost ḳalʿasınuñ alınmasına sebeb budur ki ḳalʿa-i mezbūr evvelden üç ḥiṣṣe olub bir ḥiṣṣesi Ḫılmaş Ḳaraşotuñ ve bir ḥiṣṣesi Bolozār elinde ve bir ḥiṣṣesi daḫı Bekeş Ġaşpār elinde olub mezbūr Bekeş Ġaşpār sizüñ cānibiñüze varduḳda mā-beynde olan ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥ mūcebince size lāyıḳ ve lāzım ve muhimm olan meẕkūruñ ḥaḳḳından gelmek idi eger meẕkūruñ ḥaḳḳından gelinmiş olaydı böyle iḫtilāfa bāʿis̱ olmazdı müfsid-i mezbūruñ taḥrīki ile ḳalʿa-i mezbūrenüñ üzerine gelüb almaḳ murād olınduġı müşārün ileyh voyvodanuñ maʿlūmı olıcaḳ rıżām tedārik idüb almışdur müfsid-i mezbūruñ Macār cinsinden olmaġla ol ṭāʾifeden çendān vefā olmaduġı maʿlūmuñuzdur vücūd-ı ḫabās̱et-ālūdeyi ṣaḥīfe-i rūzgārdan ḥaksār-ı nā-būd olmaḳ ṭarafeynuñ muvālāt ve muṣāfātuna sebeb ve bāʿis̱dur ve Pilāz Yanoş oġlınuñ ḥiṣārı olan Gögöy? ve Şamuşūḳa ve Deraȳīn ḳalʿalarını Budūnda olan Vezīr Muṣṭafā Paşa muḳaddemā alduġına bāʿis̱ meẕkūr Pilāz Yanoş oġlınuñ ʿiṣyānı sebeb olub cezasın bulmışdur ve Sek eṭrāfında ḫilāf-ı ʿahd memālīk-ı pādişāhīye gelüb ceng olub Venediklüden aṣlı suʾāl olınduḳda ḳalʿa-yı mezbūr imparādora tābiʿdür deryāda ve ḳarada ʿahde muġāyir vażʿ anlardan ṣādır olur diyü cevāb virürler maʿlūmuñuz ola ki irsāl olınagelen virgüñüz teʾḫīr olınsun diyü ilgā iden Alāmān begleri gendü hevālarına tābiʿ olub bu maḳūle ifādelere cürʾet eyleyeler ʿaceb degildür zīrā mā-beynde olan ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥ bozılub daḫı ʿasākir-i İslām memleke ve vilāyetiñizi ḫasārāt eyleyeler anlar çekilüb ḳadīm ʿādetleri üzere size muʿāvenet eylemeyecekleri mukarrerdür anlaruñ bī-hūde kelimātlarına uyub reʿāyāyı pāy-māl itdürmek münāsib degildür eyle olsa saʿādetlü ve devletlü Pādişāhımuz eʿazzullāhu enṣārahu ḥażretlerinüñ aṣlā ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥa muġāyir iş olduġına rıżā-yı şerīfleri yoḳdur siz serḥaddıñuzı oñat ẓabṭ itmeyüb suʾāl olınduḳda “bize tābiʿ degildür bizüm anlara ḥükmümüz geçmez müstaḳil ḳalʿayı münāsabeleridir” diyü cevāb virüb taʿallül itmeñüz ile serḥadda olan eger sizüñ cānibiñüzdedür ve eger bu ṭarafdandur mutaṣaddī fesāddan ḫālī degildür bu maḳūle ḫuṣūṣ ṣulḥa ve ʿahd ü emāna muḫālifdür siz serḥaddiñüzi oñat ẓabṭ u ḥıfẓ idüb ḫilāf-ı ʿahd iş itmeseydiñüz bizüm serḥaddımuzda olan beglerbegi ve sancakbegleri ve sāʾir ʿasākir-i nuṣret-meʾās̱ir-i pādişāhī daḫı mā-beynde olanʿahd ü emānı dāʾimā merʿī ṭutub mādām ki sizüñ cānibiñüzden memālīk-ı maḥrūse-i şehinşāhīye daḫl u tecāvüz olınmaya bu cānibden daḫı naḳż-ı ʿahd itmezler idi ve şimdiye degin virilügelen virgü[ñü]z şimdiye degin teʾhīr olunmaḳla ġayrı mülāḥaẓa olınmuş imdi ḥālen vārid olan mektūbuñuzuñ mefhūmında virgü tedārik olınub teʾhīr itdürilmeyüb gönderilür diyü işāret olınmaġla gelmesi muḳarrer olunmaġın muḳaddemā münʿakid olan ʿahd ü emān kemā-kān muḳarrer olub ol bābda serḥadda olan düstūr-ı mükerrem Vezīr Muṣṭafā Paşa edāmallāhu teʿālā maʿālihīye ve sāyir beglerbegi ve sancāk beglerine müʾekked aḥkām-ı şerīf gönderilüb tenbīh ve teʾkīd olınmuşdur mektūb-ı muḥabbet-üslūb vuṣūl bulduḳda meʾmūldur ki saʿādetlü Pādişāh-ı ʿālem-penāh ḥażretlerinüñ āsitāne-yi saʿādet-intimāʾlarıyla muḳaddemā münʿakid olan ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥ ve ʿahd ü emān riʿāyet olınub şimdiye degin gönderilügelen virgüñüz mā-beynde olan ʿahd-nāme-i hümāyūnları mūcebince tedārik olınub irsāl olınmaġla iẓhār-ı mürüvvet ü muṣāfāt olınub min-baʿd ṭarafeynden naḳż-ı ʿahd olur ḫuṣūṣa irtikāb olınmaya serḥaddıñuzda olan beglerbegüze ʿahd ü emānuñ istiḥkāmı ḫuṣūṣın iʿlām idüb muḥkem tenbīh ve teʾkīd idüb ḫilāfına cevāz gösterilmeye bu tafṣīlden murādımuz muḳaddemā iʿlām olınduġı üzere ʿizzetlü Pādişāh-ı gerdūn-iḳtidār ḥażretleriyle mā-beynde olan ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥ ve ʿahd ü emān ḫuṣūṣı muʿazez ve mustaḥkem olub naḳż-ı ʿahd olmaġla reʿāyā rencīde olmamaḳdur āsitāne-i saʿādetde olan Davīd Uṇgnād nām ilçiñüz daḫı mā-beynde olan ḳavāʿid-i ṣulḥ u ṣalāḥa riʿāyet idüb ilçilik edāsın yirine getürmekde ḳuṣūrı olmaduġı maʿlūmuñuz ola taḥrīren fī evāsıṭ-ı şehr-i Şevvāl-i aʿẓam sene erbaʿ ve ѕemānīn ve tisʿa-miʾe Be-maḳām-ı Ḳosṭanṭiniyye ḫafī allāhu ʿan cemīʿ-i’l-beliyye

Laudable pride of the great commanders of Christendom, the elite of the illustrious magnates in the community of the Messiah, arbiter of the universal affairs of the community of the Nazarene, possessor of the trains of majesty and glory, possessor of manifestation of splendor and laudable pride, the emperor of the province of Vienna, Germany, and Austria[Nemçe], King Maximilian – may he end his days propitiously. Following the presentation of auspicious prayers and praises that are worthy of true mutual friendship, confidence, and reliance between us, here is the friendly communication: Your letter that was sent to us has arrived. You stated that the contents of the sublime letter sent from our side were understood. We are very glad to hear about your efforts and perseverance in maintaining peace and amity with our honorably majesty under the heavens’ protection. Then, you wrote the following: “However, we are astonished that the Sultan’s troops along the frontier do not respect peace and amity, and they continue to cause disorder and mischief. We do not believe that his most excellent and prosperous majesty , who is the refuge of the universe, has his noble consent in this matter. Many violations of the peace have occurred: Villages and suburbs that never paid tribute are forced to do so and many places that belong to us were coerced to obey. The troops of Islam raided the borders of Croatia and, while no one expected it, they [Ottoman army] seized our fortress called Bojná. Along the Bosnian frontier, they laid a siege to Gospić and captured it. Additionally, they besieged Ostrovica Fortress, bombarded it for two days, captured two other fortresses, and deployed men inside them. Furthermore, the Beg of Szigetvár attacked and destroyed a fortress named And, near Nagykanizsa. Next, they also destroyed another nearby fortress named []. In the previous year, the troops of Fiľakovo and Szécsény burned down the suburb called Ukçok, capturing two hundred people and killing most of them. In a suburb named Ilya, they imprisoned eighteen men. From Nagykanizsa, they raided fifteen villages, taking prisoners and plundering their herds. Additionally, the troops of Novigrad burned and demolished a village called Abri. We wrote to the Vizier in Buda and requested the return of prisoners and the fortresses taken from us, but he did not attend to the matter and responded in a manner violating the treaty. The tax that we send is sent for the sake of peace and amity. The delay in its dispatch is due to the transgressions and excesses from your side. Besides, we are currently situated away from our land and are not in our usual residence, which is another reason for the delay. Nothing else should come to mind. You shall report this situation with kind words to the blessed foot of his prosperous majesty, the shelter of dignity, so that he should not assume that the tax was withheld intentionally. As required, we have sent a letter to the Vizier in Buda, reported to him that we are about to send our tax, and requested a letter of protection. From now on, there shall be no transgressions, oppressions, and cruelties and no more raids or attacks on non-tribute-paying villages. Our fortresses taken from us shall be returned. The Vizier of Buda, other begs, and troops shall observe the peace and amity so that there shall be no acts contrary to peace or a shortcoming on our end. If those who are our subjects violate the treaty and commit excesses, they will be appropriately punished. In your letter, you also brought up the affairs of Poland and Transylvania. Previously, we informed you via the agent named Şaban. Regarding this matter, let there be no suspicion on the part of his prosperous majesty. Along the Klis frontier, the commander of our Senj Fortress committed severe transgressions, but we were unaware of it; the troops involved will be dismissed and punished accordingly. None of us will act contrary to the agreement. Some corrupt individuals wish to disrupt peace and amity between us and take action, but they have no connection with us, nor are they our subjects; they are the ones who cause disorder. The dwellers of Senj are responsible for this matter. They have been firmly warned and commanded that they should not allow the corrupt individuals into the country and take the necessary actions against the corrupt ones they capture.” Likewise, Your envoy who is situated at our felicitous court submitted a letter to the imperial council and reported the following: “Previously, the damages and disruptions caused last year and this year by the troops of Islam in the provinces of Vienna and in other places, which occurred contrary to the agreement bestowed by the late and forgiven Sultan Selim Khan – may mercy and absolution be upon him – have been independently recorded and sent to you. Considering the disturbances and violations of the peace and agreement between us, it would have been justified for your friend, the King, not only delaying but even withholding the Bosnian tax completely and taking various other measures. While both the King and those under his protection were innocent and blameless, the troops of Islam caused so much harm that the delay in tax should not be surprising. Since the followers of Islam did not adhere to the terms of the letter of agreement and committed transgressions, the King also considered retaliating in kind. Yet the King adheres to the terms of the peace. Indeed, the German princes incited the King, saying “let’s not send the tax.” But the King, disregarding their words, is getting ready to send the Bosnian and the next year’s tax. This year, so many fortresses have been taken from us, burned down, destroyed, and plundered. Many captives have been taken. All of this has been recorded. Tax is being demanded from places that have never paid tax before and, therefore, they did not pay it until now. Even though a [sultanic] noble decree was previously sent to those who demanded that tax, they still make demands contrary to that decree. Currently, the Provincial Governer(Sanjak-bey) of Novigrad is sending messages to the folk living in Korpona, Bukaniç, and Old Solyun to pay taxes. The lords of Fiľakovo and Szécsény are also not free from corruption, and while forests and some roads have been blocked and closed for a long time, now the lords (begs) have opened those roads and are threatening the towns and villages in those areas, saying that if they do not pay taxes, they will kill everyone. Before the fortresses of Devín and Kakuy were taken, the followers of Islam would never interfere with those places and no duties would be demanded from them. Besides these, along the Croatian and Slavonian borders, Bihać is threatening the fortresses that belong to the villages of Dastivice, and messages are sent from Bihać saying they want to besiege those villages. In short, as your friend, the King, is sending the tax to strengthen peace and amity, the troops of Islam are being given permission for these transgressions. We request that during the time of friendship, there shall not be permission for acts that would disrupt peace and order. The felicitous Sultan’s justice and adherence to his word without heeding anyone’s advice and his steadfastness in his promises are known. Your friend, the King, also knows about it. And yet, the failure to prevent the corruption and damages at the border astonished your friend the King. Our expectation from you is that noble decrees be sent to the Vizier, in Buda the Governerl General (beyler-bey) of Timişoara, and the begs at the border, warning them harshly and reiterating previous orders so that they shall not ask for taxes from the inhabitants of the villages and places mentioned above and that they shall punish troublemakers. The false reports of the voivode of Transylvania and his followers should not be trusted. Let them stay as they are. Meanwhile, the reason for the gathering of soldiers in the German lands is the planned campaign to France and Flanders. Both the Catholic and other Christian princes gather soldiers to send them for aid to France and Flanders. Do not harbor any ill thoughts about this matter.” The contents of your letter and the one submitted by your envoy have been translated and presented to the exalted throne of our illustrious Sultan – may God glorify his victories – who comprehended it all with his world-encompassing knowledge. The exalted threshold of our illustrious Ruler is always open. No one is prevented or rejected from coming and going. Those who remain steadfast and resolute in friendship and demonstrate their loyalty will not have their requests denied. Likewise, as long as there is no breach of agreement or violation of pledges, he will not have his consent to the contrary and he will always adhere to this peace and treaty. Yet, until now, raiding gangs have been defeated, castles have been seized, fortresses have been taken, and prisoners have been captured – all of which have indeed occurred. Yet, it is you who violated the agreement and trust between us. Your men at the border are not remaining disciplined and are making raids into the well-protected dominions of the Sultanate, committing transgressions and excesses. The troops of Islam situated along the frontier, driven by bravery and motivated by religious duty, responded to such acts and they defended themselves and their fortresses on our soil. It is true, however, that combat also took place on your soil because, contrary to the treaty, your men raided our land and provinces and crossed into our territory. When our men confronted them, your men could not withstand and they escaped. The Sultanic troops pursued them, crossing into your territory, and a battle ensued between them. This does not mean that our soldiers at the border acted contrary to the Sultan’s noble decree. Regarding the issue of capturing fortresses, as mentioned, our soldiers pursued your soldiers who entered the well-protected domains of the Sultan right up the inside of their fortresses and captured them. The fortresses named Polje and Cazin on the Bosnian border were taken in this manner; our soldiers pursued your soldiers, reached those fortresses, entered them, and captured them. It should be noted that the initial breaches of the fortresses, contrary to the agreement between us, were caused by your captains. For instance, last year a group of infantry and cavalry crossed the Kupán border and burned down the fortification called Belendvár. Additionally, last year on the Esztergom border, your forces crossed into our territory, reached the Párkány/Štúrovo fortification, and fired mortars – but the fort was saved by reinforcements. Your soldiers, while retreating, seized a significant number of livestock and took captives. The Sultanic army pursued them, entering your borders, and there was a battle between them. This does not mean that our soldiers at the frontier acted against the noble and sacred orders of the Sultan. Moreover, regarding the issue of capturing fortresses, as it has been mentioned [that] your soldiers first entered the well-protected domains of the Sultan contrary to the agreement. Then, our soldiers pursued them into their fortresses and captured your soldiers inside their fortresses. In fact, the fortresses named Polje and Cazin on the Bosnian frontier were captured similarly by the Islamic soldiers who followed your troops into those fortresses. Initially, the seizure of fortresses contrary to our treaty was caused by your captains. Last year, an infantry and cavalry raiding party crossed the border at the frontier of Kupan and burned the fortification named Belendvār. Also last year, they crossed the border at the frontier of Esztergom and attacked Párkány fortification with mortars, but reinforcements arrived and saved the fortress. The fleeing soldiers took many cattle and captives with them. Furthermore, men from your side crossed the border at the frontier of Fiľakovo, came to Csobánka, took captives, and martyred some. In the region of Gyula, they burned and destroyed the Békés fortification, killed around twenty thousand sheep in the vicinity of Buda, and captured the Makurçuka fortress at the edge of Rakhsene – burning it and taking the Muslims inside as captives. They also burned Granitza fortress, taking some Muslims as captives. They burned the fortress named Kuka with cannon fire, capturing seventy-five Muslims inside. At the Ostojiće fortress, they attacked villages under the control of the knez named Septerlaka,causing turmoil and aggression. Furthermore, up to now, around one thousand captives have been brought to the imperial court from the direction of Senj, from the Buda frontier, from Bosnia and Szigetvár, and from Požega. When asked how they were captured, they said: "Our border commanders sent us, encouraging us to go and raid the lands to capture prisoners. We attacked the Sultan’s lands due to their incitement." In this case, which party has committed acts against peace and agreement? Regarding the issue with the Voivode of the province of Transylvania and the taking of the Khust fortress against peace and agreement, the reason is that the mentioned fortress had three lords, each belonging to someone else: one lot was held by Christopher Báthory, another by Boldizsár Balassa, and the third by Gáspár Bekes. When Bekes entered your territory, it was appropriate and necessary for you to punish him as per our peace and agreement. If he had been punished properly, such conflicts would not have arisen. When the Voivode of Transylvania learned that you intended to capture the Khust fortress due to the incitement of the seditious Gáspár Bekes, the Voivode obtained my consent to act. That seditious Gáspár Bekes is Hungarian, and it is well known that there is no loyalty among the Hungarian tribe. It is good for our mutual true friendship that a person filled with wickedness falls into disgrace and perishes. The reason for the previous capture of the fortresses Gögöy, Somoskő, and Divín by Vizier Mustafa Pasha of Buda was the rebellion of the aforesaid Jánoš Balassa’s son who was thus punished. In the Senj region, when troops from your territory came – contrary to the agreement – into the territories of the Sultan, we inquired from Venice about it. They said: “That fortress is subject to the emperor. Things that happen contrary to the agreement on land and sea happen because them.” Let this be known to you. It is not surprising that the German princes who dare to stop you from sending taxes to us act according to their desires. If the peace and agreement between us are broken, and the soldiers of Islam harm your country and province, it is certain that those princes will withdraw and not help you which is old habit among them. Following their useless words and letting the subjects suffer is inappropriate. Our blessed and fortunate Sultan, may Allah always assist him, never consents to actions contrary to peace and agreement. When we asked why you did not control your borders properly, you responded with false excuses, saying: “The troublemakers are not our subjects. We cannot command them; these are the evil deeds of independent fortresses.” Whether from your side or ours, violations on the border cannot be overlooked. Such matters are contrary to peace and agreement. If you had properly controlled your borders and prevented actions against the agreement, our governors, Provincial Governers (sanjak-bey), and other victorious soldiers of the Sultan would always uphold the agreement and peace. If your side had not invaded the protected territories of the Sultan, there would have been no breach of the treaty from our side. It appears that, until now, you have thought differently and delayed the tax you were supposed to send. But now, in your current letter, you state that the tax will be prepared and sent without delay. The previously established treaty and agreements remain in effect. We have sent firm decrees to the esteemed Vizier Mustafa Pasha at the frontier, may God make his greatness lasting, along with other governors and district governors, we admonished and instructed them accordingly. We hope that, upon receiving this friendly letter, you will adhere to the previously established peace and agreement with the felicitous court of His Majesty, the world-embracing Ruler. The tribute that has been sent up until now should be prepared and dispatched per the sultanic letter of agreement between us, thereby demonstrating your generosity and amicability, and ensuring that there is no breach of the treaty on either side henceforth. You shall inform the governors at your frontier of the importance of observing the treaty and agreements, and firmly admonish and instruct them to prevent any violations. Through this detailed letter, we expect that the peace and agreements between his exalted majesty – who is omnipotent as heaven – and yourselves remain honored and firmly established with no breaches occurring, and that the subjects are not distressed. Additionally, be informed that your envoy, David Ungnad, who is at the prosperous threshold, is diligently adhering to the terms of the peace and agreements between us and is fulfilling his diplomatic duties without fault. 1 – 10 January 1577 Constantinople. May God protect from all evil.