The Ottoman Grand Vizierate (1560s–1760s)Großwesir Sokollu Mehmed Pascha an Kaiser Maximilian II., Konstantinopel, 24. Oktober bis 2. November 1576Letter from Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha to Emperor Maximilian II, Constantinople, 24 October-2 November 1576Vezir-i Azam Sokollu Mehmed Paşa’nın İmparator II. Maximilian’a mektubu, Kostantiniyye, 24 Ekim-2 Kasım 1576Sokollu Mehmed Pashade, en1576-10-24 ~ 1576-11-02Nachdem e. Mt. etc. unnsere freundtliche grüeß unnd dienst erbiedtungen, die sih der wahren lautern freundtschafft, so zwischen unns ist, gezimen, unnd derselben wierdig presentiert und vermeldt sein, wollen euer ksl. Mt. etc. freundtlichen wissen, das dise tag euer ksl. Mt. schreiben alher gelangt ist, in wellichinn sy unns zuversten geben, wasmassen e. Mt. etc. den innhallt unnsers iro jüngst zuegeschikhten freundtlichen schreibens woll angehört unnd sonderlih gern vernomen, das wier e. Mt. etc. unsers vleiß unnd sorgfelltigkhait von wegen langen erhalttung des fridens unnd gueten rueh zwischen iro unnd unserm mähtigenn khaiser verstenndigt haben. Dabey e. Mt. etc. sich aber verwundert, das unnser ksl. khriegßhör an der gräniz sollihes fridens unnd gueten rueh sogar khain acht oder respect tregt, vill weniger aufhört, allerlay inconvenienzen, schäden unnd ergernussen zuüeben und zuvolbringen, so doh e. Mt. etc. nit woll glauben, das sollihe frids widerwertigkhaiten mit consens und vorwissen unnsers mächtigen und glückhafftigen khaysers (zuefluht der wellt) beschehen unnd fürlauffen sollen. So bericht e. Mt. etc. in irem schreiben das von irem flecken unnd dörffern, die zuvor niemals ainihen tribut geraicht haben, iezo von den unsern tribut abgefordert unnd schon etlihe derselben örter mit gewaldt darzue bezwungen seyen worden. Gleihffals khome daß musulmanisch kriegsvolckh an die crawattisch gräniz, unnd ehe die soldaten dorten irer recht gewahr worden, haben sy die schlösser Buzin unnd Zasin erobert, auch an der bössnischen gräniz des casstell Cosdantziki belegert unnd eingenomen, also auh das castell Ostranz belegert, 2 tag gestirmbt, lestlich es, wie auh noh andere zwey schlösser eingenomen unnd mit irem volckh besezt. Item der weeg von Zigett hab auh bey Canisa das casstell And zerstört unnd die soldatten darynnen nider gehaut, darnah haben sy nahendt bey Canisa auch das Castell S. Jacob abprenndt. Das vergangen jar haben die soldaten von Filek unnd Seczen den fleckhen Okcyona verprendt, in die 200 personen gefangen, weckh gefüerdt unnd den mehrern taill erschlagen, wie auh auß den flecken Elya 8 personen gefangen unnd umb Canisa 15 dörffer angefallen, verwüest, unnd die innwohner sambt allem ieren vieh weckhgefüerdt. Die von Novigrad haben auch das dorff Jorig ab prennt unnd zerschleifft, umb wölliher hänndl willen, alls e. Mt. etc. dem vezier bascha von Ofen geschriben unnd die iro abgedrungen schlösser sambt den gefangnen cristen widerumben begert, hat er bassa von Ofen dessen nit allain nit geacht, sonder darauf noh ain gar unfüeglihe, dem friden ungleihmässige antwort geben.Weiter haben e. Mt. etc. in iren schreiben vermeldt, das sy nämblich ir verehrung, so sy zuschicken phlegenn, umb anders nit, alls umb fridens unnd gueter rueh wegen dergeben, das eß sih aber in derselben hereinfertigung biß heer verzogen, das sey umb von unnsern thaill erfolgter überdrüß unnd schäden willen, dann auh daß e. Mt. etc. von iren landen unnd gewondlihen residenz ab wesig gewest, beschehen unnd wier sollen nit gedenkhen, das solliher der present verzug umb anderß allß yezo gedahter ursahen willen erfollgt sey, sonnder dißfallß den großmähtigen khayser genüegsamblih informiern unnd weisen, damit seyn hochait nit etwo vermuetten, das von e. Mt. etc. thaill ainiche mangl erschinen, vill mehr haben e. Mt. etc., wie billich, schon dem bascha von Ofen umb das glaidt geschriben, unnd wöllen die verehrung auf das ehist herain ordnen, doch daß man hiefüran sollihe verlezungen, inconvenienzen unnd schäden bey unnß abstelln, die niemalls tributierten dörffer nit bedrange noh bezwinnge unnd eure abgedrungen schlösser widerumben restituiere, das auch der vezier bassa von Ofen sambt den andern beghen und soldaten den friden unnd guete rueh besser in aht unnd vor augen haben, auf das dergleichen fridbrühigkhaiten hin füran nitt mer beschehen noh fürgehen, unnd damit sich hierynnen von e. Mt. etc. seidten ihtes ungleihß oder ainiher mangl auch nit erzeige, so haben e. Mt. etc. bey irem underworffern gleihsfallß die verordnung gethan, das sy, wen sy wider den frid handleten, sollen gestrafft werden.Es haben auh e. Mt. etc. in dero schreiben, deren sahen Polln unnd Sibenbürgen belangend, gedaht, wellihe eur Mt. noh bey dem Scaaban Zausch beandtwordt und erklärt, allso das sein des mächtigen khaisers hocheit diz orts khain böß gemüett haben sollen, der haubtman eures casstells Zeng an der graniz Clissa, die weill er sih der gebür nah nit verhalltten, davon euer Mt. so gleihwoll nichts gewisst, sonder was geschehen, das ist durh dieselben khriegs leuth geschehen, sey abgesetzt unnd die andern gestrafft, und der yezig haubtman alda, so an seyn statt komen, werde dem friden nichts zu wider handlen. Es sein aber etlich übell thätter unnd böse leuth, wellihe da suehen den friden und guete rueh zuzertrennen, sollihe haben aber mitt e. Mt. etc. nihts zu thuen, seyen iro auch nit unnderworfen und eben die selben thuen so übls, alls dan müessen die von Zenng die schuldt haben. E. Mt. etc. haben aber ernstlih gebotten, das man dieselben übl thätter dort nit einkhomen lassen, sonder wan man sy erwischt, straffen solle.Gleihs falls hat e. Mt. etc. potschafft, so an diser glückhseligen Porten residiert, in dem ksl. divan ain schrifft sambt zweyen underschidlihen catalogis deren schäden, inconvenienzen, und unbillihen muetwillen, so das türkhisch kriegsvollck das vergangen und diß jar in den gen Wien gehörigen unnd undergelegnen landen wider die capitl des fridlihen anstandts, die sultan Selim Han, guetter gedähtnuß, Gottes barmherzigkhait und erlösung sey ob im, bewilligt gehabt, übergeben, in welliher schrifft er anzogen, eingefüerdt und also gesprohen, ir Mt. etc. haben von der villfeltigen frävel unnd inconvenienzen wegen, so wider den anstandt und pact des fridens, der im mitl ist, füergangen sein, heurige ihr verehrung nit allain aufhallten müessen, sonder hetten sy gar einstellen und khaine mehr schikhen, auh auf andere deliberationes gedencken unnd sih entschliessen mögen, dan weill ir Mt. etc. und ire undergeben, on alle schuldt, von dem musulmanischen kriegsvolckh so sehr beschedigt unnd molestiert worden, ist sih niht zuverwundern, warumb sy die verehrung so lang verzogen, und hetten ir Mt. etc. weill in die Musulmanen die frids capitl unnd conditionen so gar nit halltten, sonnder nuer übertretten, von irem thaill auh dergleihen füernemen khönnen, yedoch hatt sy sih gedahtte conditionen des fridts zu halltten und ir verehrung (ob es woll ir Mt. etc. die teutschen reihsfürsten all wider rathen, denen sy aber disfals nit gefolgt,) danochtt diß jar herein zuschickten entschliessen wellen, über sovill schlösser und heuser, die sy dis und das ander jar verwüesst, abprenndt und zerstört, auch sovill dörffer die sy verhört und sovill leuth hinweckh gefüert haben, sein dise ir Mt. etc. catalogi gemahtt und verfast worden. Vill örter, so von allters khain tribut nie geben haben, die zwingen sy yez den zubezallen, und ob woll das nähste jar, derselben dörffer halben, ksl. bevelh von hie außgangen, so fordern sy doh, denselben zuwider, den tribut von inen. Yezo begert der beg von Novigrad von denen von Karpen, Pukanz und Allten Soll tribut, so hören die begen von Fileckh und Seczen nit auf, schaden und übls zu thuen, etlihe ain lange zeit her gesperrte und verhackte weg die öffnen iez dieselben begen und bedrohen die derselben enden gelegne fleckhen und dörfer und enbiedten inen, werdet ier den tribut nit geben, so wellen wier euh alle umbringen, so doh vor eroberung der casstel Divin und Keku die Musulmanen die selben örter niehmalls angefohten, noh die untherthanen zu ainiher dienstbarkeit bezwungen haben, ausser deß an der crabattischen und windischen graniz werden Wihitsch und Hrastoviz auh bedrohet und inen zuempotten, wier wollen euh angreiffen und belegern.Ir Mt. etc. schicken ir verehrung zu bekrefftigung und stabilierung des fridens und gueten rueh, und dem musulmanischen kriegs vollckh wierdt sollih übll zuthuen zuegelassen? Man haldt nit für billih noh zimblih, das in zeit der freundtschafft ichtes dem frid zu wider beschehe. So sey die gerechtickheit dises glückhseligen khaisers yieder man, auh irer Mt. selbst bewisst, das ehr nämblih in verschaff- unnd volziehung der gereht- und billikhait niemandts, wer ehr auh sey, ansiht, und in seinen verheissungen bestandig ist, deß wegen dann ir Mt. etc. groß wunder nimbt, das so villfelltiger muetwillen und schäden, die sy an den granizen ueben gar khain einsehen noh abstellung ervolgt. Es wierdt auh in ernentenn scripto gemellt, damit darinn die inwohner deren dörffer und flekhen, so von altens altens ainihen tribut nie geraiht, nit unrechtlih belesstigt werden, so versehe man sih, man werde dem vezier bassa von Ofen, begler beeg von Temeßwar, und den andern beegen an den granizen durh bevelh mitt den ernstlihisten auferlegen, das sy von dergleihen untributierten örten und dörffern durch auß khain tribut abfordern, auh die frid breher und üblthätter straffen. Man soll auch den falschen angebungen und belegungen des weida auß Sibenbürgen unnd seiner anhennger nit glauben, sonder auh er weida mit frid bleiben, und da sih ainihe kriegs volckhsversamblung im Teutschlandt begibt, so geschiht es nuer, umb der in Franckhreih und Niderlandt inne wehrenden khrieg willen, derwegen der bapst auch andere cristlihe fürssten alle jar khriegs volckh zubestellen und es zu hilff in Franckhreih unnd Niderlandt zuschikhen phlegen. Daheer man dan auch khain argwonn oder bösen verdaht schöpfen khan noh soll.Auß wellichem e. Mt. etc. schreiben nun, so woll auch auß irer pottschafft übergebenen scripto, die substanz alle herauß gezogen und vor dem erhebten tron unsers glückhafftigen khaisers, Gott erhallt im seine sig, ist füerbrahtt worden, unnd hat sein hochait sollihes alles nah lenngs angehört unnd vernommen. Hierauf nun ist zu wissen, das die glückhselig Porten unnsers mächtigen kaysers, die ain ursprung aller glückhseligkheit ist, alzeit offen steet, auh dervon unnd zuegang nit verpotten, verhindert, noh die ersuchen und begern abgeschlagen werden denen, die in der freundtschafft khrefftig unnd zu aller zeit bestendig sein, auh ir raine laudterkhait unnd thuen beweisen. So lang nun der fridß compromission unnd fridlihen anstandt khain mangl oder contrarietet erscheint, so wierdet auch sein hochait nit zuelassen noc zufriden sein, das sich von irem thaill ichtes widerwertigs erregen, sonder vill mehr die fridspact oder articl allzeitt gehalten werden sollen. Nicht desto weniger aber, mitt den rotten, scharen oder tschetten, die bis heer geschlagen unnd zertrennt worden, mitt eroberung der castell, auffahung unnd gefanngen nemung der menschen, wellihes die zeit her wider den frid zwischen uns sich begeben, hatt man von e. Mt. etc. thaill am ersten angefangen, dan eure leuth, die an den granizen sein, bleiben nitt mitt frid, sonder straiffen wider die pacta des fridens in seiner hochaitt gebiedt. Ean sy sich dann so unfridlih erzeigen, so mues sih das musulmanisch graniz hör auß irem eifer und lieb, so sy zu irem glauben unnd religion tragen, auh woll wehren, unnd weill sy ire casstellen auh schützen wellen, so begegnen sy den eueren. Was darnah geschihtt, das geschihtt nuer auf unserm boden, das sih aber treffen unnd scharmizl auh in eurem gebiedt zuetragen, ist woll nitt weniger, dan so euere leuth dem frid zu wider herüber in unser herrschafft und gebiedt schreitten und auf unsern grundt khomen, so treffen sy alßdann auf die unsern. Wan nun die euren nit widerstehen khönen und die fluhtt geben, so vollgett inen das ksl. kriegß hör nah, komen also mit einander auf e. Mt. etc. gränizen unnd streitten alda. Sonst geschicht nit, das unnsere granizer soldaten etwas dem ksl. bevelh zu wider thuen. Die einnemung e. Mt. etc. castell ist auh obernennter massen ervolgt, dan alls e. Mt. etc. khriegß volckh wider den frid in seiner hochait ksl. gebiedt eingefallen unnd die unnsern sy wider hinauß getriben, sein sie mit und neben inen in die casstell komen und habens also erobert. Solliher gestellt sein die schlösser Buzin und Zasin an der bossnischen gräniz in unsern gewaldt gerathen, dan wie wier bericht, als das musulmanisch kriegsvolckh e. Mt. etc. hör, so in das ksl. gebiedt seiner hochait gefallen, nahgesetzt, sein sy zugleih unther die selben schlösser, endtlih gar hinein khommen und sy eingenomen.Furnemblih sein e. Mt. etc. haubt leuth die ersten gewest, die wider den zwischen unnß wesenden friden schlösser ab zudringen ursah geben haben, dan verschiner jarn sein eure tschettn oder khriegs scharn zu roß und fueß an die graniz des sansiakhats Koppan auß gezogen und ain palankha, Bolondwar genant, abgebrennt. Mer haben sy auh in den vergannen jarn ain straiff biß an die graniz zu Gran und Biß unnd am palanckha, Gigherdelen genannt, gethonn, alda etlih fuerwerkh hinain geworffen, weill aber andere zuhilff khomen, ist die palankha errëtt worden, nihts destweniger haben sy aussen herumb vill vieh unnd leuth was sy gefunden, gefangen und mitt sih hinweckh gefiert. Über das haben sy auh ain rennen auf die graniz Filek unnd Biß unnd Sopotka gethon, alda ein thaill menschen gefangen unnd einn thaill erschlagen, gleichßfals an der graniz Jula die palankha Bykes abgeprent und verhört, unnd bey Ofen in die 20 tausent schof weckhtriben. An der graniz Sacesna idest Päkziz haben sy das casstell Mekurizkt aingenomen und vesprennt, auh alle die Musulmanen, die sy darynen gefonden, gefangen, mer das casstell Graniza verprenndt, auh etlih Musulmanen gefangen, item das casstell Tepla Kúkia abgeprennt, unnd biß in die 75 Musulmanen darinen gefangen genomen. Mer haben sy etlih dörffer die ain kenaß knes, Sepet Luca genandt, ingehabtt, angriffen, beschedigt und beengstigt. Neben disem allen sein von der gegent Zenng, von der feischen gräniz unnd von den örtern Bossen, Siget und Possega, ein zeit herumb, von den cristen, die man derselben orten gefangen, bey 1000 zeugen alhehr an die glückhselig Portten gebrachtt worden, wellihe, als man ir jeden gefragt, was gestallt sy gefanngen worden seinn, beckhanndt haben, das sy iere herrn oder haubt leuth aus schikhen, und sagen inen, ziehtt hihn und greifft ir landt an, fachtt und fürt leuth mit auh her. Also auß ordnung unnd anweisung derselben irer ober herren, ziehen sy aus, in ier ksl. gebiedt, schaden zu thuen. Weill man dan auf sollihe weiß handlet, von wellihen thaill nun hatt man wider den frid unnd rueh gethon?Die ursah, das der weyda auß Sibenbürgen das schloß Husst hat eingenomen, ist dise: gedahtes schloß ist am ersten in 3 thaill abgethaillt gewest, ain thaill hatt gehabtt der Hagmaschy Cristofs, den andern Boldosar, und den dritten Casper Beckes. Diser Caspar Bekhes, als ehr zu e. Mt. etc. khomen, hett iro, dem zwischen unns friden nah, gebüert, wär auh vill daran gelegen und hoh vonötten gewest, ien Beckes zu straffen, dan wan ehr gestrafft worden, so wehren vill inconvenienzen vermitten und unnderbliben. Dan wie gedahter weyda erfarn, das aus boßen rath des ermelltten Bekhes vollckh wider berüerts casstell, vorhabens dasselb ein zu nemen, anziehe, ist in der weyda füer khomen unnd hatt daß casstell ehe alls ehr, Bekhes, eingenomen. Eur Mt. wissen, das merermellter bößhafftige Bekhes in Ungern geborn, wellihe nation nit in sondern ansehen oder credito ist, weill ehr dann von der natur auh bößhafftig, zeihtig, von allem guetten und tugenten abgesonndert und ennteüssert, so ist ehr yeziger zeitt, und wierdt noh sein, ursah ainer trennung der laudtern freundtschafft und wahren fridens, so zwischen beiden thaillen der zeit ist. So ist die eroberung der, des Janos Balassen son gehörigen Casstell mit namen Keku, Somoschka und Divin also erfolgt, weill ermelltes Balaschy Janusch son ain rebell, so ist auch er ursah gewest, das sy der vezier Mustafa Bassa von Ofen eingenomen, ehr selbs auch sein straff gefunden hat.Die bey und umb Zenng herumb khomen auh in unsers khaisers gebiedt unnd schlahen, wan man dan die Venediger umb die ursah solihes rumorß fragt und werß gethan hab fragt, andtworten sy dasselb casstell gehör dem römischen keyser zue, was nun dortten für inconvenienzen zu wasser und lanndt wider den fridt sich zuetragen, das khomb von denen von Zenng her. Eur Mt. well auh wissen das die selbigen teutschen fürstenn, wöllihe e. Mt. etc. ir gewondlihe verehrung aint weders gar inn- oder aber aufzuhalten gerathen haben, allain irem aignen wohnen willen und gefallen ergeben unnd zuegeneigt sein, und ist khain wunder, das sie sollih übll thuen haben dürffen, dan wan das fundament des fridens und guetten rueh trennt und zerrissen wordenn, unnd das musulmanisch hör e. Mt. etc. lanndt und gebüedt schaden zuefüegenn sollte, so würden sy sih zurückh gezogen unnd e. Mt. etc. (das ist gewiß und eigendtlih) irer allten gewonhait nah khain hilff gelaist haben. Derwegen ist nit billih noh reht, iren unvernünfftigen worten gehör zu geben unnd dardurh hernah zuverursahen, das die armen untherthannen verhört unnd verdörbett werden, umb deß willen dan so ist unser glückhseliger khayser, Gott erhalltt im seyn sig, in khainen weeg zufriden. das man Ychtes dem friden zu wider thue e. Mt. etc. aber, weill sy ire granizen nitt, wie sy woll solltt, guberniert, und darnah umb die ursah der inconvenienzen, so die irigen treiben, bespracht wierdet, warumb sy also beschehen, so geben sy zu antwordt, die selben, wellihe so übls thuen, sein uns nit unterworffen, wier haben mit inen auf nichts zuschaffen, dise sein besondere aigen herrn irer schlösser, wellihe e. Mt. etc. endtschuldigung dann mahtt, das die an euren granizen, alß auh die unnsern nitt nahlassen, on untherlaß schaden und übls thuen. Das ist nun dem friden unnd gueter rueh unnd siherheitt gar zu wider. Wan e. Mt. etc. ire granizen woll für sehen und guberniert und nihts wider den frids anstandt gethan oder thuen lassen hetten, so würden auh unsere beegler begen, sansiackbeegen und das ander ksl. sighaffte khriegs hör an den granizen denselben fridlihen anstandt zwischen uns in aht gehalltten und geehrt haben.Allweill von e. Mt. etc. thaill das ksl. gebiedt seiner hocheit nit molestiret noh angefohten wierdet, so soll auh von disem thaill, zu erhaltung des fridens khain ainiger mangl erscheinen, unnd weill die e. Mt. etc. verehrung, so sy sonst herain zu schikhen pflegt, sih heur so lanng verzogen, hatt man woll auf andere weeg gedaht gehabtt. Nun aber seidtmall aus dem innhallt e. Mt. etc. schreiben vernommen wirdet, die present richtt man schon in ordnung zusamen und e. Mt. etc. welle sy lennger nit auf ziehen, sonnder herein fertigen, ist ier ankunfft gewiß unnd aigenndtlih. So soll auh der anstanndt und pacta des fridens, so hievor confirmiert worden, yezo von neuem wider kräfftig und bestenndig sein und bleiben, deßwegen dan dem vezier unnd rath Mustafa Bassa von Ofen, der höhste Gott erhallte in, auh den andern beegler beegen unnd sansiackh begen ernstlihe bevelh zuegeschikhtt unnd diß alles inen zum häfftigisten auf erlegt und eingebonden worden.Derhalben wan e. Mt. etc. diser unnser freundtlihe brieff zuo hannden khomen, versicht man sih, der frid gueter rueh unnd sicherhait, so zuvor mit der glückhlihen Porten unnsers mächtigen khaisers bestantt, werde erhallten, unnd do e. Mt. etc. verehrung zusam geordnet unnd der zwischen unns ksl. capitulation gemäß herein geschickht, wierdet sich anderst nichts allß laudtere wahre freundtschafft erzeigen. Man soll auh zu beeden thaillen ichtes dem frid nachtälligß unnd abbrüchigß zu beschehen mit nihtte zuegeben. Eur Mt. wöllen auh iren gränitz obristen unnd haubtleuthen dise stabilierung unnd bekhrefftigung des frids zu wissen thuen und darneben inen ernstlih einbinden unnd sy ermahnen, damit sy sich dargegen in nichte frids widerwertigen merkhen lassen. Dann derwegen haben wier diß schreiben an e. Mt. etc. so aus füerlih gethan, das nemblih unnser begern anderst nit ist, allein wie wier e. Mt. etc. zuvor berichtt, das die sachen deß fridens guetter rueh unnd sicherhait, zwischen seiner ksl. hochait unnd euer Mt. bestendig unnd begründt gewest, dieselbe yezo auch also bestendig unnd krefftig sey, da aber dem fridlihen anstandt ainihe trenn- oder verwierrung einfielle, desselben die armen untherthanen würden entgelltten müessen.Es soll e. Mt. etc. wissen das e. Mt. etc. orattor David Ungnad an diser glückseligen Portten residierdt das fundaments des guetten fridt rueh und ainickhaitt ain mittler ist, der zwischen und in der zeitt es in der reverenz und ern helldt und sein orattoristen dienst noh khainen fleiß niht schpardt.Having presented and reported to your majesty our friendly greetings and offers of service which are befitting and worthy of the true, sincere friendship that exists between us, let it be kindly known to your majesty, that your imperial majesty’s letter arrived here these days, in which you let us know that your majesty has listened to the contents of our recently sent friendly letter and was particularly pleased to hear that we have informed your majesty of our diligence and care with regard to the maintenance of peace and good tranquility between you and our mighty emperor. However, you were surprised that our imperial army on the border shows no regard or respect at all for such peace and tranquility – much less stops practicing and causing all kinds of inconvenience, damage and annoyance. Your majesty does not believe, though, that such peace violations could happen and proceed with the consent and previous knowledge of our mighty and blessed emperor (the refuge of the world). Thus, Your Majesty reports in his letter that tribute is now being demanded by our men from his towns and villages, which have never paid tribute before and that some of these places have already been forced to do so by force. Likewise, the Muslim soldiers are coming to the Croatian border, and before the soldiers there are fully aware of them, they have conquered the castles of Bužim and Cazin, besieged and captured the castle of Cosdantziki on the Bosnian border, besieged the castle of Ostrožac, stormed it for two days and finally captured it as well as two other castles and occupied them with their people. They also destroyed And castle near Nagykanizsa along the road from Zigett and destroyed the soldiers in it, then burned down the St. Jakob castle near Nagykanizsa. Last year, the soldiers of Fiľakovo and Seczen razed the town of Okcyona, captured about 200 people, led them away and killed the majority, also captured eight people from the village of Elya and attacked 15 villages around Nagykanizsa, devastated them and led away the inhabitants and all their livestock. Those of Novigrad also burned and destroyed the village of Jorig, and when your majesty wrote to the vizier pasha of Buda about this matter and demanded the return of the castles that had been wrested from you, together with the captured Christian prisoners, the pasha of Buda not only disregarded this, but also gave a completely inappropriate reply that was utterly inadequate for peace.Further, your majesty, in your letter concerning the tribute which you usually send for no other reason than for the sake of peace and good tranquility, reported that the sending of the same had hitherto been delayed, however, by the annoyance and damage caused on our part as well as by your majesty’s absence from your lands and usual residence, and that we should not think that the delay of this present was due to any cause other than those hitherto stated, but should duly inform and explain this to the mightiest emperor lest his highness suspect that there is any deficiency on your majesty’s part. In fact, your majesty has already written to the pasha of Buda about this matter, as is proper, and intends to send the tribute as soon as possible but demands in return that the violations, inconveniences and damages on our part should cease, that the villages not yet subject to tribute should neither be harassed nor coerced, and that the castles wrested from you should be returned, that furthermore the vizier pasha of Buda, together with the other beys and soldiers, shall keep a closer watch and eye on peace and tranquility so that such breaches of the peace do not occur again in the future and so that no injustice or shortcoming appears on your majesty’s part, your majesty has also ordered that your subjects shall be punished if they act against the peace. Your majesty has also declared in your letter concerning Poland and Transylvania, which your majesty has still answered and explained with the Scaaban Zausch, that His Mighty Imperial Highness should have no suspicion with regard to these places. The captain of your castle Senj, on the border of Klis, who behaved improperly – though Your Majesty knew nothing of it, as it was done by the local soldiers – has been deposed, the others punished, and the current captain who has taken his place will act in accordance with the peace. However, there are many evildoers and wicked people who want to disturb the peace and good tranquility. They have nothing to do with your majesty and are not under your authority, and it is they who commit such evil deeds, so that those of Senj bear the blame. Your majesty has, however, earnestly commanded that these offenders should not be allowed to enter there but should be punished if caught.Likewise, your majesty’s ambassador, who resides at this blessed Porte, has delivered to the imperial council a document together with two different catalogs of the damages, inconveniences and unwelcome mischief that the Turkish soldiers have committed in the past and this year in the countries belonging to Vienna and subordinate to it, against the chapters of the truce that Sultan Selim Khan – may he be well remembered and may God’s mercy and salvation be upon him – had granted. In this writing, he has stated, raised, and thus spoken: His majesty has not only been obliged to withhold this year’s tribute but has even been advised to cease and desist from sending it altogether because of the many outrages and inconveniences that have occurred contrary to the truce and the peace treaty that exists for it is no wonder – as his majesty and his subjects, through no fault of their own, have suffered so much damage and harassment at the hands of Muslim soldiers – that he has delayed the payment of tribute for so long. Because the Muslims do not keep the chapters and terms of peace at all but only violate them, his majesty could have done the same on his part. His majesty, however, decided to keep the said terms of peace and to send the tribute this year (although the German imperial princes advised His Majesty not to do so, which he did not follow in this case). Because of the many castles and houses they have ravaged, burned and destroyed this year and last, because of the many villages they have devastated and because of the many people they have led away, these catalogs have been prepared and written by his majesty. Many places that from ancient times have never paid tribute are now being forced to pay it, and although an imperial order was issued from here last year they are still demanding tribute from them in defiance of this order. Now the bey of Nógrád demands tribute from the people of Krupina, Pukanec and Zvolen. The beys of Fiľakovo and Szécsény do not cease causing damage and evil. The same beys are now opening some roads that have been closed and barricaded for a long time and are threatening the towns and villages at their ends, telling them, ‘if you don’t pay the tribute, we will kill you all’, although before the conquest of the castles of Divin and Keku, the Muslims never attacked these places nor forced the subjects into any servitude. Moreover, on the Croatian and Windian borders, Bihać und Hrastovica are also threatened and told, ‘we will attack and besiege you’.His majesty sends his tribute to confirm and stabilize peace and tranquility, and the Muslim soldiers are still allowed to do such evil? It is considered neither fair nor proper that in times of friendship anything should be done against peace. Everyone, including his majesty himself, is well aware of the justice of this blessed emperor, for in the enactment and execution of justice and equity he regards no one, whomever he may be, and is constant in his promises, for which reason his majesty notes with great astonishment that there is no understanding or cessation whatsoever of so many acts of mischief and damage that they commit on the borders. It is also stated in the aforementioned writing that the inhabitants of these villages and towns, who have not paid tribute since ancient times, should not be unlawfully harassed. Therefore, the vizier pasha of Buda, the beylerbey of Timișoara and the other beys on the borders should be ordered with all seriousness to not demand tribute from such untaxed places and villages, and also to punish the peacebreakers and evil-doers. Nor should the false statements and assertions of the voivode from Transylvania and his followers be believed; but he should remain peaceful. If there is a war assembly in Germany, it is only because of the war in France and the Netherlands, which is why the pope and other Christian princes raise war troops every year and send them to France and the Netherlands for support. Therefore, no suspicion or bad faith can or should arise from this.From this letter of your majesty, as well as from the document delivered by your ambassador, the substance was extracted and brought before the sublime throne of our blessed emperor – God grant him his victory. His highness listened and heard everything attentively. Hereupon, let it be known that the blessed Porte of our mighty emperor, which is the source of all felicity, is always open and access to it is neither forbidden nor prevented, nor are the requests and desires rejected of those who are firm and ever constant in friendship and prove their pure sincerity and deeds. As long as the peace agreement and the truce show no deficiency or contrariety, his highness will neither permit nor be content with anything contrary to it on his part. Instead, the peace treaty or the articles shall be observed at all times. Nevertheless, your majesty’s part was the first to begin with what has occurred against the peace between us during this time - with the hordes, bands or troops that have been defeated and dispersed so far, with the conquest of the castles, the capture and imprisonment of the people. For your people, who are on the borders, do not remain in peace but roam in his highness’s territory in violation of the peace treaties. Therefore, if they show themselves so unpeaceful, the Muslim border army, out of their zeal and the love they cherish for their faith and religion, must defend and also resist and since they also wish to protect their castles, they will confront your men. What happens after that happens only on our soil. That encounters and skirmishes also take place in your territory happens no less, however, for if your people, contrary to peace, cross over into our dominion and territory and come onto our soil, they will then encounter our men. If yours cannot resist and flee, the imperial army will follow them such that they will meet at your majesty’s border regions and fight there. Otherwise, it does not happen that our border soldiers do anything contrary to the imperial order. Your majesty’s castle was also taken in the above-mentioned manner, for when your majesty’s soldiers invaded his highness’s imperial territory against the peace and ours drove them out again, they entered the castle with and alongside them and thus conquered it. This is how the castles of Bužim and Zasin on the Bosnian border came under our control – for as we have reported, when the Muslim army pursued your majesty’s army as it invaded his highness’s imperial territory, they came also under these castles and finally even entered and took them.Primarily, your majesty’s captains have been the first to give [us] cause to wrest away castles against the peace that exists between us, for last year your troops or warbands marched on horseback and on foot to the border of the sanjak Törökkoppány and burned down a palanka called Bolondwar. What is more, in the past year they have also made a raid to the border of Gran and Biss and at the palanka, called Gigherdelen, they threw in plenty of carts, but because others came to help, the palanka was saved. Nevertheless, they captured a lot of livestock and people they found on the outside and took them away with them. In addition, they also raided the borders of Filek, Biss and Sopotka, captured some of the people there and killed some of them, burned down and destroyed the palanka Bykes on the border of Jula, and drove away about 20,000 sheep near Buda. On the border of Sacesna, i.e. Päkziz, they took the castle of Mekurizkt and burned it down, taking all the Muslims they found inside captive. They also burned down the castle of Granitsa and took many Muslims prisoner, as well as burning down the castle of Tepla Kukia and taking up to 75 Muslims prisoner. Furthermore, they attacked, damaged and terrified some villages held by a Knez called Sepet Luca. Besides all this, from the region of Senj, from the Feian border and from the places of Bossen, Siget and Possega, about 1000 Christian witnesses who were captured there have recently been brought here to the blessed Porte who, when they were all asked how they were captured, confessed that their lords or captains sent them out and told them, ‘go and attack their country, set fire and bring people with you’. So, on the orders and instructions of their overlords, they go out to wreak havoc in his imperial territory. If someone does this, which side is acting against peace and tranquility?The reason why the voivode from Transylvania took over Khust Castle is as follows: the aforementioned castle was initially divided into three parts. One part belonged to Báthory Christoph, the other to Boldizsár, and the third to Gáspár Bekes. Upon the arrival of this Gáspár Bekes to your Majesty, according to the peace that exists between us, it would have been due to you, also very much in your interest and urgently necessary to punish this Bekes. If he had been punished, many inconveniences could have been avoided and prevented, since when the mentioned voivode learned that, out of evil counsel, said Bekes’ people were moving against the aforementioned castle with the intention of taking it, the voivode got ahead of them and took the castle before Bekes did. Your majesty knows that the aforesaid wicked Bekes was born in Hungary, a nation, which is not of any particular reputation or credit. As he is by nature malicious, treacherous, and separated and divorced from all good and virtuous things, he is at present and will continue to be the cause of the separation of the sincere friendship and true peace which at present exists between the two sides. Thus, the conquest of the castles belonging to the son ofJánoš Balassa, named Keku, Somoshka and Divin, took place because the aforementioned Balassa Jánoš’ son was a rebel. Therefore, he was also the reason why the Vizier Mustafa Pasha of Buda took them, and he himself was punished.Those at and around Senj also come into our emperor’s territory and strike, and when the Venetians are asked about the cause of such commotion and who did it, they reply that the same castle belongs to the Roman emperor. The inconveniences that took place there on land and at sea against the peace came from those of Senj. Your majesty will also know that the same German princes who have advised your majesty to either withhold or delay your customary tribute are devoted and inclined solely to their own will and pleasure. It is no wonder that they were allowed to do such evil, for if the foundation of peace and good tranquility had been severed and torn asunder. If the Muslim army were to harm your majesty’s country and territory, they would have withdrawn and would not have rendered aid to your majesty (this is certain and clear) according to their old custom, wherefore it is not fair nor right to give ear to their unreasonable words, and thereby cause the poor subjects to be devastated and ruined afterwards. Therefore, our blessed emperor, may God preserve him his victory, is in no way satisfied that anything should be done against peace. Your majesty, however, because you do not administer your borders as you should, when questioned about the causes of the inconveniences that your men commit and why they happen, answers that ‘those who do such evil are not subject to us’, that ‘we have nothing to do with them’, that ‘they are lords of their own castles’, whereupon your majesty then makes the excuse that those on your borders, as well as ours, do not cease to do perpetual harm and evil. This is now entirely against peace and good tranquility and security. If your majesty had properly supervised and administered your borders and had done or allowed nothing against the truce, our beylerbeys, sanjak-beys and the rest of the imperial army on the borders would also have respected and honored this truce between us.If the imperial territory of his highness is neither harassed nor attacked from your majesty’s part, then there should be no deficiency on this part for the preservation of peace either. Because your majesty’s tribute, which you usually send here, has been delayed for so long this year, other ways have been considered. Now, however, since we have heard from the contents of your letter that the gifts have already been duly arranged and that your majesty no longer wishes to delay them but to send them here, their arrival is certain and confirmed. Thus, the truce and the peace treaty, which were previously confirmed, shall now be sent to the other beylerbeys and sanjak-beys by the vizier and councilor Mustafa Pasha of Buda, may God Most High preserve him, with a serious order, and all this shall be strictly imposed and impressed upon them.Therefore, when your majesty receives this friendly letter, every effort should be made to uphold the peace, good tranquility, and security that has previously existed with the blessed Porte of our mighty emperor. As your majesty’s tribute is assembled and sent here in accordance with the imperial capitulation between us, nothing but sincere and true friendship will be manifested. Nor should anything be permitted on either side that would be detrimental and deleterious to peace. Your majesty should also inform your border colonels and captains of this stabilization and confirmation of peace, and seriously impress it upon them and admonish them not to allow themselves to be seen in anything contrary to peace. That is why we have made this letter to your majesty so detailed, since our request is nothing other than what we have previously reported to your majesty, that matters of peace, good tranquility, and security, which have always been constant and firm between his imperial highness and your majesty, may now also be as constant and strong, for should any separation or confusion befall the truce, the poor subjects would have to suffer as a result.Your majesty should know that your majesty’s orator David Ungnad, who resides at this blessed Porte, is a mediator of the foundation of good peace, tranquility and unity, who holds it in reverence and honor between and in time and spares no effort in his service as orator.