There must be something about the 29th day of May. It was on this day in 1328 that Philippe VI was crowned King of France, in 1453 that the city of Constantinople, defended by the last East Roman Emperor Constantine XI, fell to the forces of Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire, in 1660 that King Charles II of Great Britain was restored to his rightful throne (Oak Apple Day), in 1727 that Peter II became Tsar of Russia and in 1864 that the chosen Emperor Maximilian first set foot on Mexican soil. It was also on this day in 1867 that the compromise was signed which converted the Austrian Empire into the “dual monarchy” of Austria-Hungary.
Every year, I notice the May 29, 1453 anniversary.
I am not sorry at all that a rotten Byzantium fell to the vigorous and very wise Ottoman Sultan, Mehmet II.
He made decrees to establish clear cut rights of religious and other minorities.
This is something that Greeks through history, who still refer to Istanbul as "constantinople" strive that Westerners never find out !
There are still decrees of Sultan Mehmed's to grant rights to, for example, a Franciscan monastery. The monasteries of Mt Athos were similarly granted full rights and protection from the Ottoman crown.
Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteEvery year, I notice the May 29, 1453 anniversary.
I am not sorry at all that a rotten Byzantium
fell to the vigorous and very wise Ottoman
Sultan, Mehmet II.
He made decrees to establish clear cut rights
of religious and other minorities.
This is something that Greeks through history,
who still refer to Istanbul as "constantinople"
strive that Westerners never find out !
There are still decrees of Sultan Mehmed's to
grant rights to, for example, a Franciscan monastery. The monasteries of Mt Athos
were similarly granted full rights and protection
from the Ottoman crown.
Good rulers, the Ottomans !